How to help my cat lose weight

If your cat's veterinarian has told you that your kitty is heavier than they should be, you're not alone. Approximately 60 percent of cats in the U.S. were classified as overweight in 2018, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And it's not just a problem for American cats: International Cat Care says that 39 to 52 percent of U.K. cats are overweight.

But, how do you help a cat lose weight? The key is a combination of proper nutrition and exercise. Follow these steps during your journey to helping your cat lose weight.

Is My Cat Overweight?

If you're not sure whether your cat is overweight, there's a simple way to evaluate their size at home — no scale needed! The Cornell Feline Health Center recommends using the Body Condition Score, a three-step system:

1. Rib check: Run both hands, palms down, across both sides of your cat's rib cage.

2. Profile check: Look at your kitty from the side.

3. Overhead check: Stand above them and look down.

If you can't feel your cat's ribs or see their waistline, then your cat is probably overweight.

To confirm ifwhether your cat is overweight and to discover their ideal weight, bring them to the vet for an overall wellness check and to rule out any underlying reasons for the weight gain.

How to Help a Cat Lose Weight

Once you know that your cat is overweight, it's up to you, together with your kitty's vet, to create a nutrition and exercise plan for your pet. A good mantra to guide your cat's weight loss plan is "Eat well, play more."

Choosing the Right Food for Weight Loss

Nutrition plays an important role in weight loss, but before changing up your cat's meal plan — and especially before cutting down the amount of food you feed them — you should consult a vet to avoid creating potential health issues. "Crash diets aren't healthy for anyone, but for cats especially a crash diet can trigger a sometimes-fatal liver disease," says the American Animal Hospital Association . While this is a worst-case scenario, any change to your cat's meal plan will affect their health, so be sure to work closely with your vet if you want to adjust their food.

While you can find “light” or “weight management” foods at your petstore, it is always important to check in with your veterinarian to see if these foods are appropriate for your cat.   If your cat has a lot of weight to lose, your vet may recommend a therapeutic food that is specially formulated to help get your cat to a healthy weight.  These foods tend to have high fiber and have less calories per cup than other foods.   They are also formulated to provide enough protein, vitamins and minerals to ensure that your cat can lose weight safely even though they are eating less calories each day.

Finally, if you're into spoiling your cat with treats or table scraps, the best way to improve their health is to reduce or omit feeding them these unnecessary calories. While you might think that your cat will hate you, they will be just as content with getting extra cuddles and playtime with you.

How Exercise & Fitness Can Help

Cats are typically sedentary creatures, but during the hours your kitty is awake, get them moving! Nutritious food is just one part of weight loss. Think of yourself as your cat's personal trainer. Toss around a small toy that they can chase, or build a DIY cat scratching post. Even a wadded-up piece of paper will entertain your little hunter. Mix up activities to keep them interested.

Want to combine exercise with your cat's feeding time? Consider getting a puzzle feeding box. These special dishes require your cat to work to get their food out, helping them burn those extra calories.

Preventing Your Cat From Packing on Pounds

According toThe Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, , an average 10-pound cat should consume between 180-200calories per day. While this is a generalization of the average cat, it is important to speak with your vet for a personalized recommendation. . On average, a healthy rate of weight loss is one-half to 2 percent of body weight per week, but your vet will be best at setting specific goals.

Establishing a regular feeding schedule is also key to help your cat keep off the weight. Some cats are happy with one or two meals a day, while others prefer smaller, more frequent meals. Observe their eating habits to determine the best meal practices for your cat to help get them to their optimal weight. Your kitty may not be happy with these changes at first, but they'll appreciate it in the long run. After all, staying at a healthy weight allows them to move and play more, and enjoy an overall better quality of life.

Your kitty is purr-fect. Well, except for the paunchy belly that seems to be weighing her down. Your cat isn't the only one who has some extra "fluff"—according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), nearly 60 percent of cats in the United States are overweight.

The problem? Excess weight is a concern because it leads to life-limiting illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Wondering how to help your cat lose weight? Read on for expert tips, from how much to feed your cat for weight loss to simple strategies that get your kitty to move more.

Being even a few pounds overweight lowers your cat's quality of life. It makes your kitty feel uncomfortable and reduces her desire to move, which can cause even more weight gain. Cats with excess weight tend to have shorter lifespans too.

But weighing your cat isn't the most effective way to figure out if your kitty needs to shed some pounds. Instead, assess your cat's body condition, says Aimee Simpson, DVM, medical director of VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia, and look for the following:

• Does your cat have a waist? Look down at your cat while both of you are standing. A healthy cat's body has a slight indent between the ribs and hips.
• Can you feel your cat's ribs? Apply gentle pressure along the sides of your cat's chest. You should be able to feel individual ribs at a healthy weight.
• Does your cat have a droopy belly? Look at your standing cat's profile. The abdomen should be taut and straight, rising slightly upwards as it meets the hips. Overweight cats have a rounded abdomen with no upward tucking.

If your cat's body shape indicates he's overweight, ask your veterinarian for help determining what your cat's ideal weight should be.

Cat Playing On Sofa With Her Owner

To figure out how many calories to feed your cat to help him lose weight, you first have to determine how much your cat is currently eating. Count all food, treats, and table scraps. Then reduce the amount by 20 percent, says Simpson.

For some pet parents, it's hard to establish a cat's daily caloric intake. That may be because multiple family members feed the cat, you frequently switch food brands, or you leave unmeasured food out all day. If that's your situation, don't worry. Simpson recommends using this formula to calculate the number of calories your furry pal should eat for weight loss:

Ideal weight in kilograms x 30 70. Take this answer and multiple by 0.8 to get the number of calories to feed your cat each day.

And remember: Healthy weight loss takes time, so be patient. "Aim for a weekly weight loss of a half to two percent of your cat's body weight," advises Simpson. "Because if overweight cats lose weight too fast it can cause fatty liver disease, which is a serious health issue."

RELATED: Top Food Choices to Help Cats Lose Weight

The same weight-loss formula that works for people also works for cats: Eat less and move more. Here are some tips for getting your kitty in shape.

Use a puzzle feeder to encourage physical and mental activity. Puzzle feeders help beat boredom and limit the amount of food your cat eats, so it's an all-around win.

Like people, cats get bored with the same old routine. To spice things up, provide plenty of vertical climbing surfaces and rotate a variety of toys. Add in short bursts of play throughout the day. Cats are built for speed, not endurance, reminds Simpson, so aim for five to ten minutes of activity at each play session.

Replace food treats with cuddles and playtime. It's a simple way to reduce the number of calories your furry pal consumes each day.

Cats are notorious for being finicky. So don't change up your cat's chow overnight. You have to be sneaky if you're switching to a new food for weight management. Start by replacing a quarter of your kitty's kibble with new food for a few days. Then gradually increase the amount of new food over the course of several more days, recommends the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. It should take one to two weeks to make the change.

If you have multiple cats in your household, you'll have to take additional steps to stop your chubby cat from overeating. Feed your cats several small meals at specific times of the day from their own, dedicated feeding bowls rather than letting them graze all day or eat from the same bowl, recommends Simpson. That way cats are more likely to finish their food, which means fewer leftovers for a housemate to gobble up. Use a programmable feeder to provide meals to your cats throughout the day if you can't be there to do it.

This type of advanced feeder will release food only for the designated cat. It's a fail-safe option to eliminate the opportunity for your cat to munch on his buddy's leftovers.

"While it may be difficult at times to resist giving in to your cat's desire for extra food and treats," says Simpson. "Remember that weight loss reduces disease risk and improves your cat's quality of life." And that's something every pet parent can get behind!