An overweight senior cat can be used to lose weight.
If you want to help your senior cat lose weight, you need to consult your vet for advice and make changes such as changing from dry to canned food and cutting back on treats.Increase your cat's activity level with hunting games and puzzle toys, making sure the exercise isn't too rigorous.Ensure your cat's well-being by monitoring its weight, water intake, and overall health.
Step 1: Get your doctor's advice.
Before changing the diet of your senior cat, speak to your vet.If the cat's weight will cause a problem, your vet can tell you how much weight you need to lose.Aging cats can have weight gain, as well as other warning signs of being obese, but a vet should rule out other possible causes.There are diseases that can cause weight gain in cats.
Step 2: Meal times should be reinforced.
Your senior cat should be encouraged to lose weight.If you leave food out for your cat to eat, it will be harder to monitor how much it is eating.Leave your cat's food in its bowl for about twenty minutes and then take it out at the next meal.Your cat should only be consuming one cup of dry cat food per day.There are canned food items.Allow your cat to eat their food over the course of the day.Start with 3-4 meals a day.In a week or two, reduce this to 2 meals a day.
Step 3: Cans replace dry food.
If you want your senior cat to lose weight, replace its dry cat food with canned food.If you want to lose weight, canned food is more likely to do the trick than dry food.Dry food should be avoided as much as possible because it contains more Additives and Preservatives.Senior cats who are prone to dehydration can benefit from canned food.The organic canned food will have healthy, natural ingredients.Sources of meat or fish should be included in the first 3 ingredients.Choose another brand if the first 3 ingredients contain BHA or BHT.Ask your vet for recommendations if you don't know which food to buy.They may be aware of a brand that helps cats lose weight.
Step 4: You should give your cat fewer treats.
A cat's diet should consist of less than 10% treats each day.Reward your senior cat with petting and praise instead of treats if you keep treats down to 2 or 3 per day.Keep track of the treats you give your cat in a journal or on a whiteboard, and make sure that all household members adhere to this rule.
Step 5: Get approval from your vet.
If you want to increase your cat's exercise routine, you need to get approval from your vet.Age related issues like arthritis, vision loss, or hearing loss can make play, chasing, and jumping dangerous for your cat.Follow the recommendations of your vet for your senior cat.I was hoping to increase my cat's activity level by having it chase toys several times a day.Is my cat in good shape for that kind of activity?
Step 6: Your cat is good at hunting.
The best way to help your senior cat lose weight is to engage it in moderate play and exercise.If you play on your cat's hunting instincts, it will follow you.A laser pointer can be used to get your senior cat moving.If your cat shows signs of being tired, stop the activity and call your vet.
Step 7: Buy puzzles.
Purchase puzzle toys, which you can fill with treats and leave for your cat to play with, online or at your local pet store.Cats work for several hours to get their reward from a toy.The time it takes to get the toy out of the cat's mouth makes them not be able to overindulge.You may need to show your cat how to use the toy.To encourage your cat to use the toy, demonstrate how to get the treat out.
Step 8: catnip can be used to make play more appealing.
If you want to encourage your cat to play, fill the toys with dried catnip.Use a small amount.There is a small amount of 0.5 oz.Your cat's energy and enthusiasm should be stimulated by a "high" that comes from the harmless herb.You can spray your cat's play area with a catnip spray.
Step 9: It's a good idea to weigh your cat frequently.
To get an accurate picture of your cat's health, weigh it every month.If you want to estimate the weight of your cat, you need to weigh yourself on a regular scale, hold it, and subtract the difference.Purchase a digital scale for weighing babies.Cats that are healthy should weigh around 10 pounds.
Step 10: Keep a journal of your health observations.
Keep a record of any changes in your senior cat's health so that you can relay that information to your vet.Small changes in weight, appetite, energy, and elimination can help your vet diagnose diseases or suggest improvements to your cat's lifestyle.If your cat is refusing to eat, contact the vet immediately.If your cat is sluggish and not finishing its food, you might be able to tell.
Step 11: Monitor the water intake of your cat.
Make sure your senior cat drinks plenty of water to help it lose weight.Older cats are prone to dehydration, which can lead to illness.Purchase a water fountain at your local pet store or place several water bowls in different areas of your home to get your cat to drink.