Reducing Obesity in Cats

Cats are independent, but they love us when we pull out the treat bag! Unfortunately many cats are getting treats, and not enough exercise. Because many of our cats are indoor cats, they don’t get the exercise that they would out in the wild. While keeping your cat inside is positive for it’s overall health, reducing the risk of running into a predator or car, it’s important to feed your cat the right foods, and play with it to ensure it stays healthy.

Unfortunately cats don’t receive the kind of playful attention that we give dogs. A 2016 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that nearly 6 in 10 of the cats in the United States are overweight. The good news is you don’t have to force too much activity on your cat. About 10-15 minutes of play time every day will keep kitty healthy and at the proper weight.

When is the best time to play with your cat? Ideally in the early morning or right before bed is the best time to connect with your cat. Cats sleep around 15 hours per day, so you might want to be flexible and try to play on their schedule. Since cats are more nocturnal, if you’re a night owl, it will be easier than those of us with a 9 to 5 job.

Cats respond best to toys that stimulate them. There are wind up toys that you can buy to allow your cat the opportunity to simulate chasing live prey in the outdoors. Laser pointers are a fun way for both of you to enjoy play time. Run the pointer on the floor and have the cat chase after it. Cats also love to go after anything that dangles. Yes, even dangling a sock will attract their attention, but don’t hesitate to invest in a few toys. Some toys that can be stuffed with kitty litter are also great for cats to play with when you’re not around.

Cats suffer from weight problems in part because of exercise, but a lot of it has to do with what we feed the cat. Snacks are unique for cats, because we usually give them to a cat for doing nothing, as opposed to giving a treat to a dog for performing a trick. As a rule 10% of your cat’s calories can come from treats, and no more. If you’re looking for healthy ways to reward your cat look at the ingredients on the packet and keep track of the calories.

Like human food, avoid snacks for your cat if you don’t understand the words in the ingredient list. If the ingredients start with a common food source (fish, chicken, etc) you’re going in the right direction.

Taking care of your pet’s weight will keep it purring by your side for years to come! Don’t forget to have your cat checked by us to avoid any potential weight problems that may lead to other health issues. And for more pet health tips and advice follow us on Twitter!