#Cat weight management food how to#

Feel for Their Ribs - When you pet your cat, you should be able to feel their ribs as you run your hand over them.

If your cat does not have this, then it could be a sign that they are overweight.

Side-View - Cats should have what is referred to as an “abdominal tuck.” This is the area just behind their ribs and is supposed to be smaller than their chest.

If this area is not clearly defined or is wider than their hips, this could be a sign they are overweight. There should be a clearly defined area between their ribs and their hips. Their waist should begin to narrow at their waist.

Birds-Eye-View - Look at your cat from above.

Pet parents can tell if their cat is overweight by While it's sometimes obvious when a cat is overweight, other times it's more subtle.

#Cat weight management food how to#

Your vet is the right person to tell you what weight range you should try to keep your cat in and how to tell if they are too heavy or even underweight. A healthy weight for one cat might be different for another. They will tell you if your cat is obese or overweight and give you suggestions or instructions on how to help your cat lose weight.Įvery cat is different. Your veterinarian should regularly check your cat’s weight at least on an annual basis when they go for their yearly exam. It's vital to talk to your vet if you notice changes in your cat's health. Other Risks - There are many more risks that a cat can face when they are obese, making this a very serious issue that pet parents should take seriously.This puts stress on their heart, forcing it to work harder to pump blood throughout their body. High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure in cats is more common when they are overweight.This extra weight can put more stress on your cat’s joints, leading to arthritis, pain or discomfort. Joint Pain - Your cat’s body isn’t built to carry extra weight.This means that your cat could have trouble with their bladder or urinary tract that causes them to have difficulty urinating, go more often, or other serious issues like urinary obstruction. Urinary Disease - Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is more common in cats who are overweight.Cats who develop this end up requireing weight loss, a diet change and daily insulin injections. Feline Diabetes - Feline diabetes, similarly to human type 2 diabetes, is scaused by chronic inflammation that leads to insulin resistance and high blood glucose levels.

If your cat is overweight or obese, they could face health issues such as :

Just like being overweight can have an impact on your health, it can have a significant impact on your cat’s health and wellbeing. Over half of all cats are overweight and need help managing their weight to get their health on track. Because cats are so small, even a couple of extra pounds can be dangerous for them. While it may be adorable to see a cat with a bit of extra tummy roll around, feline obesity is a serious health issue. Chubby cats are so cute, but they probably aren’t so healthy.