What's the best way to put a cat on a diet?

Question

My cat, (Princess. Tabby. Girl. Very large) needs to be on a diet. And it's hard because she constantly eats and eats but, I'm not sure how to get this to stop. I try taking the bowl away from her and she just keeps laying next to it and meowing her little head off until I give her the bowl back. How do I make this stop? Also, how do I sort of make her get a little more active with toys? She's an inside cat if it matters.

Thanks, and please leave me feedback.

Answer 1

If you are, stop feeding her dry food. It is all carbs and she doesn't really need extra sugar in her body. Start feeding her wet foods which contain more protein than carbs. So here is what experts say:

Experts recommend a full physical check to make sure that your cat’s reason for overweight is simply over eating and lack of exercise and not a result of any underlying medical condition. Steps to help your cat lose weight include:

1. Feeding your cat lesser food in smaller portions at regular time instead of free feeding.

2. Feed foods high in protein and low in carbohydrates.(What I  mentioned before about wet food vs dry foods)

3. Ask your veterinarian if there is a need to put your cat on any weight-reduction program. You should devise and start a weight reduction program only under the guidance of your veterinarian.

5. Get your fat lazy cat to start moving. Determine where your cat interests are; try to engage in some quality exercise each day.

6. For a lone cat, you can consider adopting a second cat. Having a friend will give him someone to interact and play with while you’re not home.

Answer 2

Princess Tabby Girl needs to go to the vet. She may have a thyroid problem which would account for massive weight gain and all the symptoms you describe. The vet may have you put her on a restricted diet to try and get her weight down. Diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction is done by a blood test, treatment is a pill every day to correct the level of thyroid hormone in the blood. She will need to be re-tested at least once a year to make sure her levels are good: Just like for a human. If Princess has thyroid dysfunction her activity level should pickup after her hormones get back to normal

What if it's not the thyroid? The vet will advise you what to do. Usually it is to try new activities and toys to encourage exercise and use a weight loss formula cat food.

But really, please take her to the vet.

Answer 3

Just like putting a little child on a diet ,you have to learn to say NO. As hard as it maybe sometimes. Take her to the vet and get her checked just to make sure she has no underlying medical problems. Also,here is some good advice on how to help your kitty with her weight problem. http://www.messybeast.com/overweight.htm

Answer 4

It's great to know that you realize that you cat has gotten more weight than she could handle and needs help. However, this has to be done slowly and gradually. There are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind and one of the most important is to never cut out his food too much, too soon. With an overweight cat, weight loss has to happen gradually to prevent fatty liver disease.

Here's a great website with well researched info and guide on how to properly create a diet plan:-

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/catwei...

A Short summary:-

To get a cat to lose weight, do the following after consulting with your veterinarian:

1.) Have a thorough physical exam, lab tests, and accurate weigh recorded. Be sure to rule out hypothyroidism or other metabolic disorders.

2.) Feed less food than you have been

3.) Feed foods high in protein and fat and low in carbohydrate

4.) Feed small portions at intervals (2x to 4x per day) rather than continuous free access/ free choice

5.) Increase the cat’s activity/exercise by enriching the cat’s environment

6.) Reweigh the cat at three to four week intervals to assess your weight loss diet’s progress

7.) Reconsider the total daily amount fed if weight gain or no weight loss is noted

8.) Once the cat is at an idea weight, adjust the total amount fed so that the cat’s body weight remains stable.

Kindly read through the important tips and you can start her on the road to a better body and healthier life!

Answer 5

Cats are all different, just like humans and other animals.

A large built big boned cat will weigh more than a small boned petite cat.

I have big and tall built cats that are a muscular and healthy 19 pounds... and on the other end of the scale I have a teeny tiny boned cat who weighs in at a meer 7 pounds yet she is very healthy too. Based on their individual body structure I could never compare them.

It's best to assess your cats weight by it's body condition and not compared to other cats.

Here's a chart to help you do that...

www.purina.com/cats/health/BodyConditi...

Once you determine if your cat is overweight, you need to be aware that there is NO such thing as dry "diet" food for cats. Dry foods are filled with carbs that make your cat fat. You can't make a dry food without carbs, so there are no dry diet foods.

The proper amount to feed per cat/per day should be about 5.5 ounces of wet (high quality grain free canned or Raw Meat/Bones/Organ) food.

The calories in that amount of food are sufficient for most "normal" sized cats. Of course a highly energetic cat will need more food to keep it healthy, and a lazy cat will need less food to keep it from getting obese. But 5.5 ounces of wet food per day is a good place to start.

Here is a fantastic site that will help you help your cat lose weight!

www.catinfo.org/feline_obesity.htm

Answer 6

Slowly start mixing her current food with a weight control food and eventually switch over to the diet food. She will definitely lose weight that way. Always have food available for her to eat. if you suddenly decrease her food, She could get really sick. And buy her a laser light. They love them!

Answer 7

Put the bowl away 'out of sight out of mind'.  And play with her more often.

Answer 8

Okay, it is extremely difficult to put a cat on a diet but its possible! First, reduce the amount of food little by little every day. My cat is 3 and I feed him 1/3 of a cup. Then your cat will have to get used to it. I know, its hard I went through the same thing with my cat. Then, try to get your cat to play. Anything, like a string, ball, milk ringlet, a feather toy, and much more. Don't force your cat to play. Don't have the toys out all day. Pick out a time each day to play with your cat for 10 minutes. My cat like the feather toy best. Stop playing the game when your cat is getting a little less into it. Then, you give your cat less treats. About 2-3 a day. Use the treats as an award. Then, if you want to go farther purchase a harness. Some cats cannot adapt to one at all and some can. Don't give up! Walk your cat 10 minutes every or every other day. Give your cat a treat afterwards. Continue to do everything and your cat should lose weight.

Answer 9

well i don't know much about cats but i would suggest to put very little food in her bowl.get the healthy food too. cats love to play u can get some toys with strings and other things on them my cat loves it! hope i helped!

                                

                                                      olivia

Answer 10

cats are usually more active at night so if you could, try to play with her then. get a shoe lace and wiggle it around and make her chase it if shes interested. give her something to play with, like a ball or a little sack of cat nip. feed her only twice a day and a certain amount. shell get used to it hopefully.