How to control my overweight cat's weight without changing his food?

Question

My male cat is probably close to 20 lbs. and may be overweight. He loves his food..science diet sensitive stomach..and is doing well on it. What should I do to keep his weight under control without drastic Changes? Thanx, ari's mom. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 7 years and 6 months old | 20 lbs

Ana M, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Ari. If he is near 20lbs, he is more than likely overweight. There are three parameters I use to assess weight. The cat should have a thin covering when you run your hands along the ribs. You should not have to dig through a thick fat covering to feel the ribs. Next, the cat should have a waist that curves in from the top view. Finally, the belly should tuck up tightly from the side view. It should not hang towards the floor. If Ari does not meet all three of these qualifications, then he is likely overweight. Start by measuring his food accurately each day. If he likes to graze throughout the day, as most cats do, feed him small servings out of this pre-measured allotment. You can hide pieces of kibble around the house to encourage a cat's natural hunting behavior. Again this food should come from his daily ration. Look at the side of the bag for an estimate on how much to feed keeping in mind that you want to feed him for his ideal, not current weight. Encourage him to run and play throughout the day as well. Even 5 minutes of daily exercise can help a cat to lose weight. I hope this information helps!

How to control my overweight cat's weight without changing his food?

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