Time to Put Kitty on a Diet?

We laugh about our fat cats, but it’s no joke that 45 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, and that the incidence of feline diabetes has increased fivefold in the past 30 years. Like their tubby human counterparts, cats gain weight because of lack of exercise and a poor diet, and those extra pounds can lead to diabetes, liver disease, heart and renal failure, and arthritis. Help your flabby feline lose weight and keep it off with this diet plan from Regina Schwabe, DVM, of Pamplin Animal Wellness Services in Pamplin, Virginia.

1. Before putting your puss on a diet, have your vet test his kidney, liver, and thyroid functions.

2. Ditch the dry food, which is too high in carbs for cats, and think the “Catkins” diet: 40 percent to 45 percent protein, 40 percent to 45 percent fat, and only 3 percent to 5 percent carbs. A high-quality canned or raw food is best, but make the change slowly because if Garfield goes on a hunger strike, he can quickly develop feline fatty-liver syndrome, which can be deadly.

3. Feed him about 2 percent of his body weight in three to four small daily meals, and provide plenty of fresh water.

4. Get him off his rump as much as possible. “One strategy,” says Schwabe, “is to place the food in several small dishes scattered about the house to encourage searching behavior.”

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Read more: Cats, Everyday Pet Care, Pets, cats, diet, food

By Nora Simmons, Natural Solutions magazine

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

rene d.

10:29PM PST on Nov 30, 2011

thank-you.

November 30
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Robert O.

2:39PM PST on Nov 29, 2011

Thanks Mel.

November 29
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Shannon B.

8:37AM PDT on May 13, 2011

The best way to get your cat to exercise is to get another kitty! They play together and chase each other.... at least mine do. At the end of a long day they cuddle up together for a nap as well.

May 13
send a green star

12:54AM PDT on May 13, 2011

Thanks.

KS G.

7:54PM PDT on Apr 21, 2011

Thanks for the article.

April 21
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Past Member .

12:39PM PDT on Sep 5, 2010

I have a 5 year old fat cat and I too wonder how she can be that overweight with the portions I am feeding her - 1/2 of a small can of wetfood in the am and 1/3 cup of dryfood both in am & pm. She also developed a flaky skin condition which the vets could not properly diagnose even after performing various tests & biopsy. Reading all these comments I am thinking now it maybe the dryfood. Any other suggestions?

Gainesville Dentist

September 5
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Kathy K.

7:56AM PDT on May 16, 2010

I'm finding it really challenging to have a couple of cats on a diet while another needs to *not* lose any weight. We play musical food dishes all the time. I hope it works.

May 16
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Mervi R.

1:51PM PDT on Apr 6, 2010

Thanks for the post, one of our seven cats has of late gotten to be quite a bit on the fat side, will definately have to try these tips on her...

April 6
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Linda W.

12:09PM PDT on Apr 4, 2010

Thank you for your story. I have nine cats and most of them are overweight. After one of them developed a UTI, I started reading up on the different cat foods. I thought I was feeding them right, but boy was I wrong. I agree----Get off the dry food. I have stopped all of the dry food and have been feeding only a high quality canned cat food with no additives, etc. It cost more, but hopefully my cats will be healthier and it will be worth it. My cats are part of my family and are very loved.

April 4
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Cathy L.

1:48PM PDT on Apr 3, 2010

I would give anything for the years back when my Good-Lookin' was a fat cat. Alas they have come and gone. He's 17 now and we count the days not years he's down to 6llbs from around 13 once. The best food is a good dry food when they are young. They need they crunch to keep their teeth heathy. I eventually started him on dry natural food but as he has such trouble absorbing nutrients they all cause diarrhea anymore. We have had to settle for a Fancy feast dry Chicken & Turkey & 2 types of FFeast wet food that he will eat. First time in his life he has ate wet food but he comes back and licks at the Gourmet Chicken Feast, & the Chopped grill feast classic until it's mostly gone. I warm up about a 1/3 of a can for 9 seconds. Never thought he'd get skinny but he got Thyroid problems 2 years ago. He's on meds.