Social media feeds might be full of pictures and videos of \u201cchonky\u201d cats, but unfortunately, the health risks that these overweight and obese animals are facing aren\u2019t so cute. Cats who carry around extra pounds are at risk of diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, liver disease, skin problems, and living a shorter lifespan. On average, healthy cats weigh 8 to 10 pounds, and just two extra pounds can put a cat at risk for health problems. Cats can gain excess weight for many different reasons including their diet, activity level, gender, reproductive status, and age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To safeguard your pet\u2019s health, it is important to manage weight or to take steps that will help your overweight indoor cat shed pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step in a cat\u2019s weight loss journey should be a veterinary assessment. During a weight management checkup, we\u2019ll screen your pet for weight-related health concerns and also assess your pet to help you establish a reasonable, healthy goal weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our veterinarian will also provide you with professional advice regarding your pet\u2019s nutrition and dietary habits. We will recommend a healthy, low-calorie, high-nutrient food, and instruct you on how to transition your cat to a new diet. We will provide you with guidelines regarding portion sizes, cat treats, and discuss your pet\u2019s feeding schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sedentary cats gain weight easily because they aren\u2019t burning enough calories. Increase playtime to get them up and moving. Invest in new cat toys like teasers, rolling bells, and catnip balls. You can also try leash training your cat with a harness to go out for daily walks. Although this seems unusual, you might find that your cat enjoys going safely outside to see the birds and trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crash diets and fast weight loss are unsafe. We\u2019ll help you establish a weight loss plan that allows your pet to lose weight gradually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting your cat to a healthy weight is a slow process that\u2019s often met with protests from cats that are used to different nutritional habits. Be patient and stay committed to preserving your cat\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While nutritional counseling and weight management are parts of general wellness appointments, overweight and obese pets require special attention. If you\u2019re concerned about your cat\u2019s weight, schedule a weight management appointment with Capital Home Veterinary Care. Our mobile veterinary clinic can help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Social media feeds might be full of pictures and videos of “chonky” cats, but unfortunately, the health risks that these overweight and obese animals are facing aren’t so cute. To safeguard your pet’s health, it is important to manage weight or take steps that will help your overweight indoor cat shed pounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,41,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cats","category-nutritional-counseling","category-overweight-cat"],"yoast_head":"\n