Cat diet: when should I put my cat on a diet?
Cat diet, Being overweight is a problem that occurs when you take in more energy than burn. Pay attention to your pet’s body weight and, if he has a few kilos to spare, you should put him on a diet, since obesity in cats can lead to diabetes and increases the risk of heart disease.
Urban cats that live in flats do not have the same physical exercise options as cats that live in the wild, who can freely climb trees and exercise by hunting their food. But, whenever possible, you should encourage your furry friend to exercise every day, hopping from place to place, stretching, running, chasing his favorite toy, and satisfying his hunting instinct. At Tíanimal, we have a vast catalog of toys and accessories for cats to stay in shape and exercise physically and mentally while having fun.
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The optimal bodyweight of a medium-sized cat is around 3.5 kilos and, in the case of large cats, its ideal weight is about 5 kilos. Be objective, and if your cat exceeds these kilos, ask your veterinarian for advice and put him on a diet. Since his health is at risk, being overweight can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis … To know if your pet is overweight, the best thing is to consult your vet. You can also get an idea that it is getting too fat if when you touch it, you do not feel its ribs quickly, if it has a lot of volumes and its belly hangs or if the coat is not as soft as always.
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Specific characteristics make some cats more likely to be overweight: those that have been sterilized, older cats, if it is female (they tend to gain weight), and other factors such as hereditary or hormonal alterations. The factors that usually cause overweight are summarized in: the quantity and quality of food intake, low physical activity, and stress. Please take this into account and take care of your pet before becoming overweight.
Special diets for cats
Each cat is different and needs a diet adapted to its specific characteristics: age, size, bodyweight, activity level, etc. There is a wide variety of diets for cats within the market, but not all of them are suitable for your pet to lose weight. Listen to your veterinarian and follow his advice so that your cat has a diet rich in nutrients and, at the same time, can maintain its ideal body weight.
Most of the cat food manufactured by quality commercial brands have a line designed to solve overweight problems in these animals. They are foods low in fat but rich in fiber; thus, the cat feels that it is satiated earlier, thus reducing weight. The change of diet to a low-fat meal and more physical exercise will help your pet achieve optimal body weight and avoid possible health risks in the future.
These special diets to lose weight can involve some consequences such as loss of shine in their coat. Therefore, you must always follow the manufacturer’s amounts and the guidelines given by the veterinarian and not extend the diet period for more than two months.
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Do not forget, for an obese cat to regain its ideal weight. These guidelines must be taken into account: change its diet to low in fat and rich in fiber, control the amount of food it eats, and encourage it to perform more physical activity. . Without obesity, the cat will have a higher quality and life expectancy.
Diet for obese and spayed cats
Sterilized cats are more likely to be obese since their metabolism and physical activity decrease by not mating. For sterilized felines and those suffering from obesity, special diets will help them in the battle against the scale. Commercial brands such as Criadores, Affinity Advance, and Royal Canin, among others that you will find at the best price in Tíanimal, have an exceptional range of feed for sterilized and overweight cats ideal alternative for your pet to maintain suitable body weight.
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The diets for obese and sterilized cats are low in calories but contain all the necessary nutrients for this type of felines to maintain all the vitality and energy every day. Don’t forget to encourage him to exercise daily and burn more energy!