
Overweight cats are common and it’s usually by fault of our own; they give us their wide-eyed stare, purring gently on our laps and it’s too tempting not to spoil them. However, your cat’s weight is integral to their overall health and should be monitored regularly to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Most cats love eating as much as we love treating them. But overfeeding is an issue which leads to an overweight cat and a whole host of health problems. So, if you’re wondering: Is my cat overweight? Read below to find out the tell-tale signs, the best cat diet and how much you should be feeding your cat…
The average domestic cat should weigh around 4.5kg, but as you may have guessed, this varies due to breed and frame. While some of us might equate a full belly with a satisfied companion, a few kilograms can be the difference between a healthy cat or a lifetime of health issues.
You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs as an indicator of healthy weight, along with your cat having an hourglass figure from above. From the side, there should be no sign of a tubby middle but a lean feline build. Ask your vet to help body condition score your cat so that you can learn to do it regularly at home.
Even if your cat hasn’t been diagnosed, there are physical signs that reveal a poor diet and ultimately, an overweight cat. Obesity in cats is also linked to a variety of health problems, such as skin problems, arthritis, or type-2 diabetes.
Another sign of an overweight cat is lameness due to increased pressure on joints, which can have a detrimental effect on your cat’s quality of life hindering their abilities to play, hunt or groom themselves.
Also keep an eye on any changes to your cat’s gait and mood and seek professional advice as soon as possible.
Before beginning on your cat’s weight loss, always speak to a vet to discuss the next steps. Cats losing weight rapidly can be a danger to their health, more so than the issue at hand.
Our cat feeding guide details exact feeding amounts and predicted weight loss, giving you a rough guide to refer back to when encouraging your cat to lose weight.
Following the seven simple steps below will also help your cat to keep the pounds off, achieving the optimum body size and shape:
Along with conducting visual and tactile checks, observing your cat’s behaviour is another way to measure their weight range and overall happiness.
Positive, healthy signs that show your cat has a nutritional diet and an optimal weight include:
During different stages of your cat’s life, they will have different nutritional requirements that need to be met, making it essential that you select the most appropriate diet for their stage of life; kitten, adult, or senior.
But how do you know how much to feed? Every diet will have different feeding guidelines, so check the back of the bag to ensure you know how much food your cat should have every day.
Once you know how much to feed – how do you measure it out? Traditionally, we have always used measuring cups. However, the best way to ensure that your cat receives the correct amount of food is to weigh the food out every day, on digital scales.
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