Even cats need to be of an ideal weight to be healthy
Is your furry feline carrying a few extra pounds? Just like humans, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your cat’s overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the importance of cat weight management and share effective strategies to help your cat achieve and maintain their ideal weight.
Why is cat weight management important?
Maintaining an ideal weight is not just a human concern—it’s equally important for our feline companions. Excess weight in cats can lead to various health issues, including diabetes, joint problems, and a reduced lifespan. But how can you ensure your cat is at their best weight? Let’s delve into cat weight management and discover how you can help your pet lead a healthier and happier life.
Follow a Healthy Cat Diet
One of the key components of cat weight management is a balanced diet. Opt for high-quality cat food that provides the essential nutrients your cat needs without excessive calories. Gradual weight loss is generally recommended, aiming for no more than 1-2% of their body weight per week.
To be able to do this, you should be aware that cats are instinctively wild, hunting animals. If you let them roam free in the wild, they will know and start hunting down smaller animals such as mice and birds for food. That’s the irrefutable indicator that cats need a lot of meat, an almost pure protein diet is ideal.
Portion Control and Meal Frequency
Consider dividing your cat’s daily food intake into multiple smaller meals to prevent overeating. Portion control is essential to avoid excessive calorie consumption. Measure your cat’s food carefully and avoid free-feeding.
What’s free feeding you ask?
Free feeding is the practice where you leave out a bowl full of food the entire day. This happens often when you have a busy lifestyle, you’re not home most of the day but you’re worried that your cat will get hungry. Having food available all day is the opposite of controlling their eating frequency.
Same way we eat lunch at fixed times, they should have a schedule as well. Same way if we have nibbles and snacks available to us all day, we’ll start gaining unwanted weight.
Exercise and Play
Encourage your cat to stay active through interactive play sessions. Toys that mimic prey can stimulate their hunting instincts and help them burn calories. Playtime not only aids in weight management but also strengthens the bond between you and your cat.
Here’s a few tips on how to keep your indoor cat active and happy written by the National Wildlife Foundation.
Ideal cat weight with fresh food
Cats are famous carnivores, they instinctively hunt and even eat their pray. Since they live indoors in modern times, this practice has diminished a bit, but their diet still contains mainly proteins/meats. Our healthy cat food recipes are made of at least 70% meat, ideal to manage and maintain their weight.
Healthy Cat Food Recipes
Weight Loss Plans
If your cat needs to shed significant weight, your veterinarian may recommend a specific weight loss plan. These plans often involve controlled portions, special prescription diets, and regular check-ins to monitor progress.
Tip: at Petchef we send you the exact packet size of healthy cat food your cat should eat every day (based on their weight and your goals) in order to lose weight or maintain their ideal weight.
Monitoring Progress
It’s essential to monitor your cat’s progress throughout their weight management journey. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian will help ensure that your cat is on the right track. Adjustments to the diet and exercise routine may be necessary as your cat’s weight changes.
While focusing on the physical aspects of cat weight management, don’t forget about your their emotional well-being either. Cats may experience stress during a weight loss program. Ensure they have a safe and comfortable environment and provide plenty of affection and playtime to reduce stress.
Wrapping up
Cat weight management is an essential aspect of responsible pet ownership. By understanding the importance of maintaining an ideal weight, assessing your cat’s specific needs, and implementing a healthy diet and exercise routine, you can help your feline friend live a longer, happier life.
Did this help?
We’re a small but very passionate team of pet lovers who started a business to help extend the life and health of cats. We cook healthy cat food made of meat and veggies and nothing else!
If you want to improve your cat’s health, fur shine, energy and overall health level, try feeding them Petchef for a month and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
