Wondering if anyone can help me, I have a 2yr old female cat, and shes slightly overweight, I dont want it to affect her health. We have put her on a light food option, since shes indoor. I think she weighs about 13-14lbs
We recently got a new kitten, male, thought it would be good for her to have company, since then shes lost a little interest in playing, so its harder to get her to do exercise, anytime we try to play with her she just sits there. Unless we throw her treats, then she runs for them.
Anything that I can do to help her burn fat?
Any suggestions will do.
Thanks
Overweight cat, hard to exercise
Re: Overweight cat, hard to exercise
Have you taken her to your vet? He's the only one who can examine her, determine her body condition score, determine her specific needs, and determine which food is appropriate for her. You must NOT ever attempt to put a cat on a diet on your own, doing so can risk the cat developing serious liver disease, diabetes, etc.
Most likely, he will prescribe a prescription diet specific to her needs, do not give her any other food outside of the prescribed diet, since this will defeat the purpose. You'll need to follow up monthly with weight checks and so your vet can determine how much weight loss is ideal for her. You cannot expect a cat to lose weight drastically or suddenly, weight reduction in cats must be done slowly and carefully because if too much weight is lost too soon or too drastically, the above serious health condiitons can develop. Your vet can also give you tips for exercise and activity at home, such as activity that involves reaching, stretching, trotting, activities that target the muscle groups, for a small amount of time each day.
If your kitty is seriously obese, I strongly advise you get bloodwork done prior to any veterinary prescribed diet, so you know her general health status as well as vital organ function BEFORE weight reduction prescribed by your vet.
Most likely, he will prescribe a prescription diet specific to her needs, do not give her any other food outside of the prescribed diet, since this will defeat the purpose. You'll need to follow up monthly with weight checks and so your vet can determine how much weight loss is ideal for her. You cannot expect a cat to lose weight drastically or suddenly, weight reduction in cats must be done slowly and carefully because if too much weight is lost too soon or too drastically, the above serious health condiitons can develop. Your vet can also give you tips for exercise and activity at home, such as activity that involves reaching, stretching, trotting, activities that target the muscle groups, for a small amount of time each day.
If your kitty is seriously obese, I strongly advise you get bloodwork done prior to any veterinary prescribed diet, so you know her general health status as well as vital organ function BEFORE weight reduction prescribed by your vet.
..........Traci
Re: Overweight cat, hard to exercise
she has an appt scheduled for this week, she was examined about 6months ago by the vet and he said she was overweight then, and put her on this diet, which we have been doing, the reason i was writing to you is because even though shes on the diet, we havent noticed her weight reduce, even with exercise, and lately she has become more lazy.
Re: Overweight cat, hard to exercise
our cats absolutely LOVE to chase the laser light!!!
Hubby keeps it on a keychain in his pocket, and 2 or 3 of our cats, especially Munkie, have gotten to where they just hear his keys rattle in his pocket and they stampede to his feet anxiously awaiting to chase the light!!!
But remember....start slow...do not expect her to chase the light for 10 minutes of she is overweight and out of shape...a minute or two at the most to begin with...and as Traci mentioned....stretching...playing fetch if she will do that...chasing a string...but never leave string toys out for the cats to play with if you are not there to supervise!!
Hubby keeps it on a keychain in his pocket, and 2 or 3 of our cats, especially Munkie, have gotten to where they just hear his keys rattle in his pocket and they stampede to his feet anxiously awaiting to chase the light!!!
But remember....start slow...do not expect her to chase the light for 10 minutes of she is overweight and out of shape...a minute or two at the most to begin with...and as Traci mentioned....stretching...playing fetch if she will do that...chasing a string...but never leave string toys out for the cats to play with if you are not there to supervise!!
Re: Overweight cat, hard to exercise
What is the diet, and are you feeding the amounts he recommended? Did you cheat at any time or give treats or anything else?
Monthly weight checks are important, this is the only way you and your vet are going to know if she is losing weight or gaining weight or maintaining weight. Whichever it is, your vet may need to adjust the diet, the feeding amounts, etc. If the diet isn't producing the desired weight loss (within a certain time frame), he may need to choose another diet for the purpose. She may not be metabolizing the current diet, and your vet will need to re-evaluate her. You can't expect for her to lose more than a pound every month or every two months or so, weight loss in cats must be slow to prevent serious health risks.
Don't overdo it with exercise and activity, she is overweight, uncomfortable, and overexhertion can put stress on the heart and stress on the limbs. Start with 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes at night, or as your vet recommends, and keep the activity/playtime consistent.
Try interactive toys, toys you put a treat in so she has to work at getting the treat, etc. (use the actual prescription diet - kibbles - as the treat), a laser toy as Tambrey mentions (do not shine any laser toy in cat's eyes), use catnip to get her interested in playtime, etc.
Monthly weight checks are important, this is the only way you and your vet are going to know if she is losing weight or gaining weight or maintaining weight. Whichever it is, your vet may need to adjust the diet, the feeding amounts, etc. If the diet isn't producing the desired weight loss (within a certain time frame), he may need to choose another diet for the purpose. She may not be metabolizing the current diet, and your vet will need to re-evaluate her. You can't expect for her to lose more than a pound every month or every two months or so, weight loss in cats must be slow to prevent serious health risks.
Don't overdo it with exercise and activity, she is overweight, uncomfortable, and overexhertion can put stress on the heart and stress on the limbs. Start with 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes at night, or as your vet recommends, and keep the activity/playtime consistent.
Try interactive toys, toys you put a treat in so she has to work at getting the treat, etc. (use the actual prescription diet - kibbles - as the treat), a laser toy as Tambrey mentions (do not shine any laser toy in cat's eyes), use catnip to get her interested in playtime, etc.
..........Traci