Every day you make choices regarding your cat's diet, level of exercise and overall well-being. These choices are particularly important when you notice that your cat has gained a few extra pounds. By modifying your cat's diet and level of exercise in consultation with your veterinary team, you are improving the quality of your cat's life.
Does your cat get enough exercise?
If your cat does more lying in the sunshine than chasing mice, your cat may not be getting enough daily exercise.
Cats are natural hunters and if left on their own they would get their daily activity while searching for a meal. If your cat is inactive, then you may need to create a "hunting environment" for your cat.
How can you help your cat become more active?
In order to create an environment in which your cat can "hunt" indoors, you will need to have toys that mimic prey - something that they can pounce on or chase is best.
Interacting with your cat and its toys will promote even more activity and allow you to enjoy each others company.
The ultimate goal is to get your cat up and moving. Every bit of activity counts!
How can you tell if your cat is becoming overweight?
It is difficult to detect a gradual increase in your cat's weight. For this reason, it is important to regularly weigh your pet. By removing the extra weight, you are significantly improving the quality of your cat's life.
What can you do?
With our help, learn how to score the body condition of your cat. This simple technique allows you to assess if your cat is overweight.
Ask us to prepare a SlimFittm weight loss program that is designed specifically for your cat (Dr. Taylor may want to do blood tests before your cat begins a weight loss program). This program will determine the most appropriate diet and feeding amounts, and provide you with nutrition and exercise tips to best help your cat achieve an ideal weight.
Follow the weigh-in schedule we recommend as closely as possible. Regular weigh-ins are necessary to ensure success!
We are here to help!
Weight loss is never easy - neither for us nor for our pets! That's why your veterinary team is here to provide ongoing encouragement, suggestions and ideas to help your cat achieve an ideal weight and maintain this weight after the excess is lost.
Why are a few extra pounds so significant?
One or two ppounds may not sound like a lot, but for a cat those extra pounds may be the equivalent of 10-20 excess ounds for a person! Helping your cat lose a few pounds will greatly improve his overall healthy.
Please give us a call to find out if a weight loss program would be appropriate for your cat!
