Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things a pet owner can do for their cat. A chunky cat may look cute in pictures, but extra weight can prevent cats from doing things they love, such as jumping up onto high shelves, grooming themselves or playing with their favourite toys.

Cats are small animals, so an extra pound can make a big difference in how they feel and move. The good news is that you don’t have to make managing a cat’s weight complicated. Focusing on a few simple habits around food, activity and lifestyle can help your feline friend stay lean and energetic.

Drop The All-Day Buffet

Free-feeding is one of the most common reasons that cats become overweight. This is when a bowl of dry food is left out all day for the cat to nibble on whenever it feels like it. It is convenient for owners but most cats will eat out of boredom, not hunger.

 

Scheduled Mealtimes

Try setting mealtimes - usually once in the morning and once in the evening - rather than leaving food out. This allows you to take full control over how much your cat is eating. It also mimics the natural rhythm of a cat hunting and then resting. If you are busy, an automatic feeder can help maintain these portions when you are away.

Track Every Meal

It’s really easy to eyeball a scoop of food and end up giving your cat 20% more than they actually need. A few extra kibbles to a human is nothing, but to a ten-pound cat, it’s a substantial increase in calories.

 

Use A Measuring Cup Or Scale

Check the back of your cat food package for feeding guidelines based on your cat’s target weight. Use a real measuring cup or, even better, a kitchen scale to make sure the portion is exact. A little overfeeding every day adds up to steady weight gain over the year.

Moisture And Protein First

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are built to process animal protein and fat. Many weight-management problems are caused by eating foods that are too high in carbohydrates. When dry kibble has carbs, they are often used as binders. Cats don’t use carbs for energy as well as humans do.

Think Wet Food

Wet food can be a great tool for managing weight for two reasons:

• Hydration: Cats will feel fuller due to the higher water content.
• Protein Density: Wet foods usually have fewer filler carbs than dry kibble. If you want to feed dry food, look for recipes that have a specific meat (such as chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient and avoid those with a heavy amount of corn, wheat or soy.

Rethink Snacks

We love our cats. Giving treats is a way of showing love. But treats are often calorie bombs. If a cat is getting several treats a day on top of their full meals, then they are basically getting double dessert.

 

The 10% Rule

Treats should never make up more than 10% of a cat's daily calorie intake. Fuzzball sells 100% protein freeze-dried treats. Another great trick is to take away a few kibbles from their daily measured meal and give them as treats throughout the day. Your cat will still enjoy the reward, but they won't be adding extra calories. 

Get Them To Search For Food

In the wild, cats have to earn every calorie they eat. The prey just shows up in ceramic bowls, in our homes. This lack of effort results in a sedentary lifestyle.

 

Puzzle Feeders And Foraging

Slow their eating down and get their brains involved with puzzle feeders. These are toys that the cat has to bat around or reach into to get a piece of kibble. You can also hide small bowls of food in different places around the house, up on a cat tree or behind a chair, so they have to walk and climb to find their prey.

Increase Daily Playtime

Losing weight is not only about eating less, but it’s also about moving more. Indoor cats in particular can become couch potatoes if they are not encouraged to move.

 

Interactive Play

Spend 10 to 15 minutes twice a day in interactive play. Get your cat to run, jump and crouch with fishing pole toys, feather wands or laser pointers. The idea is to get their heart rate pumping.

Pro Tip: Rotate the toys. Cats can get tired of the same prey, so rotate your toy selection every week to keep them interested.

Vertical Space And Environment

A cat with nowhere to climb is a cat that stays on the floor. Environmental enrichment provides a passive way to promote exercise.

 

Cat Trees And Shelves

If you purchase a tall cat tree or install cat shelves on the walls, you are encouraging your cat to jump and climb. Simply moving around their environment is a mini workout. If your cat enjoys watching the world outside, position their perch in a spot that requires a small leap to reach.

Monitor And Adjust

You can't control what you don't measure. Because cats gain weight very gradually, you may not see the weight gain from day to day.

 

The Rib Check And Weigh-ins

Every few weeks, you perform a simple rib check. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily under a thin layer of fat. If you have to dig to find them, they might be carrying a little too much. You can also stand on a home scale and then stand on it holding your cat and subtract the difference. Keep a small log to see whether the numbers are trending up or down.

Simple Changes, Big Results

You do not have to put your cat on a crash diet or buy expensive gym equipment for them. Mostly, all it takes is watching what they eat, trading a few treats for a little more time to play and making sure they're drinking plenty of water. Usually, a lean cat is a more confident, more active, more comfortable cat.