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Both of my cats like treats, as well as they get so thrilled whenever I draw out the treat bag that it’s difficult to withstand providing them “just one more.” However, if you’re not cautious with the treats as well as with the mealtime portions, it’s simple to end up with a fat cat. It is estimated that over 50% of cats are overweight or obese, as well as a fat feline is at danger for issues such as diabetes, joint pain, cardiovascular illness as well as liver issues such as hepatic lipidosis. If the road to obesity is paved with great treats, at least there are some easy things you can do to assist your feline stay healthy without putting away the treat jar completely.
It can in some cases be challenging to tell if your feline is overweight, particularly if your feline is endowed with a full, fluffy coat that hides your cat’s true shape. A easy method to inspect is to run your hands over your cat’s sides as well as abdomen. You ought to be able to feel your cat’s ribs, as well as you ought to be able to feel a waist or visible “tuck” between the end of the ribcage as well as the hips. Your feline is overweight if you cannot determine a waistline, if you can’t quickly feel the ribs since of a layer of fat, or if your feline has a saggy, hanging tummy that sways when he or she walks. If you’re not sure if your feline is overweight, have your vet evaluate your feline as well as recommend you on the suitable weight for your feline based upon your cat’s age, size, gender as well as bone structure.
Feeding the appropriate part size of a top notch feline food (rather than free-feeding) is the basis of great nutrition as well as assisting your feline preserve a healthy weight. keep in mind that even the healthiest of diets can be sabotaged by as well numerous treats. When it concerns treats, right here are some steps you can take:
Don’t immediately reach for the treats to reward your cat. try verbal praise, petting or brushing your cat, or just costs time playing as alternating methods to reward your cat.
Choose healthy treats. Cats are obligate carnivores as well as flourish on a meat-based diet. prevent treats full of grains, synthetic colors as well as flavors. Instead, try cooked or freeze-dried chicken, fish or other protein your feline likes.
Reduce the size as well as number of treats you provide your cat. If you like treating your cat, try cutting your cat’s typical treats in half. If your feline is on a determined amount of food, you can even feed bits of your cat’s routine food as treats in between meals.
A feline becomes overweight from feeding much more calories than the feline expends. Feeding your feline treats in addition to his or her suggested everyday part of food will result in overweight. decrease the amount of your cat’s routine calories by the amount of calories you are providing in treats. treats ought to comprise no much more than about 10% of your cat’s overall intake.
Increase your cat’s activity level. spend time playing with your cat, purchase interactive feline toys or think about adopting a lively feline buddy to keep your feline active. You can make your feline work for treats by putting treats into treat dispensers. Or, make your own treat dispenser by cutting holes into a little plastic bottle as well as putting a few treats inside. Your feline will have to roll the bottle around to get the treats to dispense.
Because overweight cats are at danger for a illness called hepatic lipidosis if they lose weight as well quickly, a sluggish progressive weight loss over a period of months is ideal.