Please remember that your cat is the consumer and their taste dictates which food to use.  If your cat does not like new food, NEVER try to starve them into submission. There can be serious health consequences. The second and perhaps most important step is owner dedication and follows up.

 

Bosun’s owners went above and beyond to ensure he stayed on his weight loss plan. They brought him in for rechecks, weigh-ins, and stayed in communication with us on how things were going at home, so as he lost weight Ellen could adjust how much food he was getting.

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Successful weight management is a combination of a proper number of calories and environmental enrichment to alleviate boredom. Calorie counting is essential. Canned food tends to be easier since it comes in a designated quantity.  Measuring is essential for dry food. Any combination of the two is fine, but the overall calories need to be in the 250 kcal/day range.

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Mimicking hunting and increasing the number of meals is essential.  Smaller frequent meals fuel the furnace of weight loss and keep your friend from becoming bored. Since Bobo is food motivated, we sent him home with a Slimcat ball, which holds some of the dry food and allows kibbles to fall out as it’s being pushed around. So essentially, in order to get any food out, the cat will have to push the ball around, which helps them burn calories as they go. This helps to mimic hunting and elevates boredom.  Fortunately, Bosun loves it!

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In a little over a year, Bosun lost 6 pounds! To put that in perspective, for every 1 pound on a cat it equals 10 pounds in a person. So in percentages, Bosun lost 32% of his total body weight. By taking it slow, the cat and the owners are able to adjust to a new feeding schedule and routine together. We are very proud of Bosun's success. It’s important to take weight loss slowly. With cats too much too quickly can be dangerous. So always be sure before starting any weight loss plan to talk with your veterinarian to determine the safest plan for your furry friend.

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Overweight cats are at risk for joint disease, diabetes, and stress on the heart, kidney, and liver disease. Keeping your feline friend at their optimum weight can help lengthen their life, and it can certainly help increase their quality of life.

 

If you have questions about your cat’s weight management,
call us at 703-525-1955 to get your cat on track to a healthier life.