My cat is chunky. What food and steps can I take to help him lose weight?

Kit is very handsome! Thanks for posting a picture. Since cats are obligate carnivores, we think the most biologically appropriate food for a domesticated cat is a mouse which is a high protein diet. The closest we can get to that ideal diet with commercial food is a canned food diet. Canned food diets are lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein than dry foods. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they are not able to utilize carbohydrates effectively and will often just gain weight on foods that are higher in carbohydrates. The best website I have found to describe this well is listed below. http://catinfo.org/ The above website also discusses changing cats from dry food to canned food. I most commonly recommend Wellness canned food for cats. It is a very food company with a good history and cats tend to do well on it. The general rule for cats is that they should eat about 5.5 ounces of canned food each day for each 10 pounds of ideal body weight. But be sure to go slowly

Hello. Just like with people, the key to weight loss & control is fewer calories in, & burning more calories with exercise. There are many weight control & metabolic type diets for cats ( check the line of Science Diet diets on this site ). Make sure you do not free feed or leave food out all day for Keanu. Feed him measured amount 2 or 3 times a day, only feeding him the amount recommended on the bag for his ideal weight. In other words, you will feed him as if he already weighs 10-11 pounds. Makes sure he is exercising with toys, laser pointers, feathers, etc. If he is home alone for much of the day, they make treat toys that release a few pieces of kibble when the toy is batted around ( The treats should be counted as part of his total daily intake ). Weight can come off of a cat, but it is tougher since you can not just take him for a run. Just be diligent & have patience. It will take time. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.

Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. Simple answer- feed him better quality/less fat food, and feed less. Hills has a very good diet called w/d, and it is designed to help animals feel full, but are providing less calories (basically vegetables vs. fat in the food). Also, just by feeding less he will lose weight. I recommend chatting with your vet about a weight loss strategy, as fast weight loss in cats can be very dangerous. The can get a condition called 'fatty liver disease'. Increasing exercise can help a lot as well. Laser pointers, cat toys, walks on a harness, etc, can help as well. Best of luck with your little guy!

I recommend changing his diet to a specialized weight management diet such as hills metabolic so he can feel full and receive all the necessary nutrition to be healthy, whilst still losing and then maintaining weight. Mist vets offices provide free weight clinics to monitor and advise on feeding such diets and maintaining health and fitness

Thank you for submitting your question! Most indoor cats tend to be a bit over weight as a result of plenty of food and little exercise. First off, encourage plenty of play time. You can feed them on elevated surfaces so they have to jump up to get a meal. You can also hide kibble around the house (out of their pre-measured daily amount) to engage them in their natural hunting behavior. This is mentally stimulating for them and encourages more exercise. Science Diet is a high quality food and would be a good choice for them. I do not typically recommend grain free formulas as they are high in carbohydrates and result in weight gain. Measure the food daily for each cat and feed them separately (several small meals throughout the day). This way you will how much each cat is receiving. Lastly, feed them less than recommended for their weight bracket since they are both overweight. Good luck!

Cuddles is adorable! Thanks for posting pictures. I certainly understand the struggle with getting weight off cats. You didn't mention what you are currently feeding Cuddles, but the best weight loss plan I have found is changing from a dry food to a canned food. Cats are obligate carnivores and cannot utilize carbohydrates efficiently. Therefore the carbohydrates that are necessary to make a dry food dry are converted directly to fat and are not able to be metabolized efficiently for energy. Although diet food is lower in fat and calories, it is usually higher in carbohydrates, so it is very difficult to get cats to lose weight with. I am attaching a link to a website which has some great info on transitioning a cat from a dry food to a canned food (which can sometimes be a challenge). Finally, one thing that I have used to keep my cats busy (and not crying for food when they are hungry) is to feed a small amount of treats in a feeder such as this. https://docandphoebe.com/ Good

Io am very sorry to hear that Pumpkin has gained some weight. It can be a very common problem in middle aged cats. I would advise attempting the following; Start by weighing Pumpkin today either at home or at a vet's office (will be free weight check) Feed two meals evening and morning. No grazing Reduce the amount of food in each meal based on his ideal weight (should be on label of food packaging) Increase exercise - fetch, laser pointer chase, and even walking on a leash and harness Chang to a reduced calorie / diet food

Hello and thank you very much for your question. This answer may seem simple but it’s very practical. First, you must decide how much you believe your cat should ideally weigh. please ask your veterinarian to give your cat a body condition score and ask them what is the appropriate weight for your breed and physical make up of your pet. Second, once you find out that ideal weight, you will look on the back of your bag of food and it will show you exactly how much to feed that pound of an animal. so for instance, and 8 pound cat will get a certain amount of food daily that can be divided either into two or three different individual feedings. I hope that makes sense. Thank you very much for reaching out to our service.

It's great that you want to be proactive about Tiger's health! Feeding an all canned food diet can help a lot with weight loss in cats. There are also several prescription food options for weight loss like Hill's Metabolic that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian. Getting Tiger more active will also help him lose weight. I'd recommend setting aside 10-15 minutes a day to play with him with a laser pointer or other toy to get him moving. Because most cats are most active around feeding time varying the times of day he is fed will help stimulate more activity as well. Thanks for using Boop by Petco and good luck with Tiger!

Have Spree examined by your veterinarian to diagnose any medical causes for her weight gain or lack of weight loss. You will need to institute some dietary changes as well as lifestyle changes in order for her to lose weight. Follow the link below to the Boop by Petco Library for tips on safe weight loss for your cat. In the meantime, provide an additional litter box and consider cutting a "doorway" into the side to make it easier for her to enter and exit. Groom or clean her bottom frequently to prevent urine scald and infection. Regular brushing will keep her coat healthy and prevent painful matting. https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-ways-to-slim-down-your-tubby-tabby/