6 Ways to Help Your Cat Get Slim and Trim

Cats, especially if they’re indoor cats, are often a little thicker around the middle than they should be. Like us, our feline friends are suffering from an epidemic of obesity. And just like us, when our cats are obese or overweight, it can have lots of negative health effects.

Help Your Cat Get Slim, Sleek, and Svelte

If your cat is a little heftier than he should be, don’t despair! With a few simple changes, you can help get your feline friend slim and trim. Doing so will help them feel better, could reduce the occurrence and/or severity of many illnesses (such as fatty liver, diabetes, arthritis, and more), and could also help them live longer while improving their overall quality of life.

To decide whether your cat needs to lose a little weight, check their ribs and backbone. If you can’t feel them easily, your cat can probably stand to shed some ounces. Also, check to make sure they don’t have a big lower belly—that’s a prime place for many overweight cats to store excess fat.

If your cat needs to lose some weight, don’t despair! Even indoor cats can win the battle of the bulge. Read on for some tips to help your cat get slim and reveal the sleeker figure hiding beneath the chub.

1. Consider switching your cat from highly processed commercial foods (such as kibble or canned food) to a species-appropriate raw food diet. You may need to make the change gradually (for example, if you feed your cat kibble, you may want to switch to a canned wet food first, and then on to a raw diet). There are lots of resources available to help you learn how to switch your cat to a raw diet. Check out this article for the how-to.
2. If you currently free-feed your cat, consider cutting off that all-you-can-eat buffet and feeding them three or four times per day instead. While cats should eat more than once per day, leaving food down all the time can often lead to unnecessary weight gain (and make it harder to transition them to raw). Remember, though, that cats need to eat daily, so don’t be tempted to cut off food for a few days. Fasting cats is not recommended, as it can have severe consequences, such as fatty liver syndrome, also known as hepatic lipidosis (which can be fatal).
3. Cats are creatures of routine, so use that to your advantage, and get your cat in the routine of exercise. Spending 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon playing with your cat can do wonders for her health and her waistline! If your cat is out of the habit of moving around, it may take some time to entice her to play for 20 minutes per day, but be persistent. Eventually, she’ll get into the spirit of things!
4. Variety is the spice of life, and exercise is no exception. Try lots of different toys to entice your cat to play—some of my cat’s particular favorites are “Da Bird” and feathery wand toys. He’s almost 18 now, but when he was younger, he also loved chasing  toy mice. Lasers are a great option for lots of cats too (if you go the laser route, give them a “real” toy at the end that they can actually “catch,” so they don’t get frustrated. Also, don’t ever shine the laser into their eyes.). Rotate through toys and get creative about the toys you try (crinkly paper has always been a hit with my cats) for maximum effect.
5. Get outside and get some fresh air. With some time and practice, you can get your cat used to a harness and leash, and take her on walks with you. I introduced my cat, Gryphon, to a harness and leash a few years ago, and he loves going out on walks. Just remember to take it slowly—put the harness on them first when they’re in a safe, familiar place. When they’re used to the harness, you can attach the leash. Let them get used to the leash when you’re in safe place before taking them into an unfamiliar environment. It can take a few weeks to get your cat used to the harness and leash, but there’s no rush. Better to make it a pleasant experience, even if it takes a little longer, than an unpleasant one. With cats, it’s also a good idea to let them set the pace and the direction of the walk. Don’t drag them around, but instead, encourage them to walk with you. And remember they love routine, so try taking the same route every time you walk with them. Before you know it, they may be walking with you better than a dog would!
6. Agility…for cats? Yep, that’s right: agility courses can be a great way to help your cat get some fun exercise! You can go online and see examples of agility courses you can set up for your cat right in your own home. Use your cat’s favorite toy to lure them over and through the different obstacles. It may take a little time to get your cat used to doing agility, but the physical and mental stimulation it can provide can be hugely beneficial for her overall well-being.

With cats, it’s best to approach weight loss gradually. Remember, to help your cat get slim, slow and steady wins the race. Losing weight too rapidly can cause inflammation, particularly in their lungs and/or joints, and it can also cause hypoglycemia. Implement the suggestions above in a moderate and mindful way to safely and easily get your cat on the road to good health.