Fat Cats: Helping Your Cat Lose Weight

 Felines often put on an extra layer of fat in the winter, and some cats have trouble getting rid of this excess baggage even after the weather warms up.

Not only are overweight cats more prone to develop medical problems, they tend to be less comfortable than fit felines during the warm weather months. An obese cat will also have trouble reaching its back with its mouth when grooming itself. This will often result in an uncomfortable strip of oily matted hair running down the middle of your cat’s back.

Giving your pet a "weight check" is easy. Simply place your hands on both sides of the cat’s rib cage. If you can barely feel the ribs, your pet’s weight is fine. But, if you can’t feel the ribs without exerting pressure, it’s time for Fluffy to go on a diet. Before you begin your cat’s weight loss program remember that crash diets are as unhealthy for felines as they are for people. A cat needs a steady supply of fats, nutrients and carbohydrates to maintain its health. Drastically cutting a cat’s food intake, even for a few days, can lead to serious medical problems.

As a rule of thumb, you can safely reduce the amount of food you give your cat by 25 percent. Dieting may be easier psychologically for your cat if you feed her several smaller meals instead of one or two big chow downs a day. You might also want to consider switching your cat to one of the reduced calorie foods available at Pet Supplies "Plus." Of course, table scraps and other treats should also be avoided if your cat is trying to shed a few pounds.

Aside from reducing the number of calories your cat takes in, you should also try to increase the number of calories she burns. Indoor cats especially need to be encouraged to exercise. You can do this by introducing your cat to one of the new interactive toys that make her "work" for a small food treat. Or why not train your cat to walk on a leash and harness? This will allow you to involve your best friend in more outdoor activities, which will help her lose weight while she contributes to your summer fun.