How to Keep Your Cat from Getting Fat

Cats are prone to being overweight just like their humans. A cat that is fed too many treats and isn't exercised can start to gain weight, eventually developing health problems. Keeping your "muggie" in shape is quite simple. Here is how I keep my cat's weight under control.



According to the Complete Encyclopedia of Cats by Michael Pollard, a healthy adult cat requires: 31 percent protein, 41 percent fat and 28 percent carbohydrates. That is a lot more fat than humans need!

Kittens and growing cats need different proportions and so does an elderly cat.

His recommendation is to buy a good quality, commercial food that is "complete" nutritionally and pick a food that is "age-appropriate"...so you have to read the label!



• How to Know if Your Cat is Overweight...

A cat is overweight if they, like humans, have a big gut and have a difficult time moving around or reaching certain parts of their anatomy, especially while grooming. I was going to say this doesn't apply to humans, but if your arms don't reach to comb your hair, well, I am just sayin'.

• How to Determine the Correct Amount of Food for Your Cat:

To get your cat's serving right takes a little effort. If a portion of the food is left-over every day then scale the portion back until the food is consumed. However, remember cats don't gulp the food down like dogs do... cats are slow eaters and expect to come back later to finish their portion.

• Fresh water daily is part of the healthy cat's requirement.

Seven oz. or (200 ml for us Canadians and other "metric people"). ..is the absolute minimum... so always provide much more. My cat drinks more and I supply a large dish of water and replace it every day to be sure he never goes without since he eats a mixture of dry foods.

I prefer a bigger dish of water because my cat will spill a small dish! He also plays in his water, so it stays cleaner, longer!

My cat is very partial to treats and expects to sample my food, which is very much my fault. He only gets a tiny sliver and usually turns up his nose, but he has indulged in Cheesies, multigrain bread, some cheeses and strangely, banana bread and OLIVES! Oh, yes did I tell you he loves ice cream? Bet your cat does as well! (remember the fat?)

• Mealtimes should be twice a day, and because cats are sticklers for routine, preferably same time every day in the same place!

That said, I suppose it depends on your pet...I move everything around and he has never gone off his food and manages to find it no matter where I present it! So know your pet. A more shy animal may need the routine. Oh yes, some cats are real fussy and will only eat a brand they like. I see that in Coco with commercial foods, but sometimes I think he would eat a turnip, if he saw me eating one!

So you think cats do not need exercise? Think again!. That lump of fur sleeping on the couch, turns into a speedball, careening over vases and into closets given half the chance or incentive.

I would say giving your cat exercise gives you "peace of mind",

besides helping to keep him trim and fit! . If you don't entertain the li'l varmint; it will entertain itself, usually at your expense. Mine has done jumping jacks on the door frame making nice gouges for me to patch. Just because he felt like seeing how high he could jump straight up in the air!

Once in a while, in my house, we go on an "organized" chase.

I clear the rooms of any objects he might knock down and chase him...well if I turn my back he tears after me...but the idea is to work the living daylights out of the moggie so he retires to the couch and hopefully sleeps the night and more importantly, lets me sleep mine! Since cats are not endurance animals, the game is usually short, but the cat is contented after.

Watch the video and do the diet by the numbers as told to you by an expert! Video at the end!