Lithe, athletic, agile and elegant - all describe our household cats. Until they become overweight. Modern living makes it as easy for cats to put on weight as it does for their owners.
Cats love a comfortable lifestyle lazing in a sunny window or curled up in front of the heater. Meals are served not hunted, and for many cats, a bowl of cat food is always available for snacks. All a bit like us sitting in front of the television with a bowl of crisps!
Cats vary in build between breeds, with some being lightly built while others are more rounded in build with heavier bone, so weighing is not the best method of assessing if your cat is overweight. If you have trouble feeling your cat’s ribs, or if she has a sagging stomach that swings as she walks it is a pretty good indication that the weight is stacking on. Overweight cats usually have problems reaching around to groom their rear areas and the coat on the back and hindquarters may become matted.
Being overweight creates similar health problems for cats as it does for humans including diabetes, heart conditions and joint problems. The solution is the same, - less food, more exercise.
Indoor living keeps cats secure from outside dangers but also means they are more likely to put on weight than cats with outdoor access, as their inclination to exercise is less.
While you cannot enroll Kitty in a gym, you can provide climbing towers, and scratching poles but you need to ensure that she uses them and does not treat them as just a nice high spot to have a nap!
It is always fun to play with friends and your cat will enjoy a game with you. This is exercise disguised as fun. Roll a ball or dangle a toy at arm height and make her jump for it. A paper bag will provide hours of fun and exercise as she pounces on it and scrambles in it. Wait for dark and shine a small torch light on the wall and let her chase the light. Some cats will happily go for a walk on a lead if trained and this is one way to know exactly how much exercise both you and your cat are getting. There is nothing better than another cat to persuade a cat to exercise so your solution may be to get your cat a feline friend.
All the exercise and games you may devise will not make a difference to Kitty’s waistline unless you adjust her diet. If you suspect your cat is overweight you should get a veterinary check-up for related health problems and for advice on a suitable diet.
Many cat owners treat dry cat food as a convenience food – convenient for the owner! They are often high in calories and snacking on them all day soon stacks on the weight. Feed only the recommended amounts at meal times. However much Kitty meows and pleads for food, you just have to make her wait until the next scheduled meal time if you want your svelte cat back on the sofa.