What Food to Feed My Overweight Cat

Optimum Weight

• How much a cat should weigh is determined by two basic factors: breed and sex. The breed of cat is the main factor in determining ideal weight range. Larger breeds like the Siberian and the Maine Coon should weigh more than smaller breeds of the same age. Sex is the other determining factor. According to most veterinarians, male cats usually weigh more than female cats that are not pregnant, by an average of two to four pounds. Neutered males should weigh approximately the same amount as un-neutered males, but need less food to maintain that weight. The average weight for most breeds is between seven and twelve pounds.

Determining Weight

• One method of determining a cat's weight at home is to weigh yourself while holding your cat, then put him down and weigh yourself again. Subtract the two numbers to find his weight. If you are still not sure, veterinarians have developed a system to identify obesity in cats. A cat of ideal weight will have ribs that can be felt, but not seen while an overweight cat will have ribs that can still be felt, but have a slight layer of fat over them. An obese cat will have a heavy layer of fat that makes feeling the ribs and backbone difficult. A normal cat will have a slight waist that may be seen from above, an abdomen that is tucked up and a flank fold. An overweight cat will have a slightly rounded abdomen with concave flanks, and a flank fold that jiggles when he moves. An obese cat will have a rounded abdomen with a waist that is absent or barely visible, and a prominent flank fold that actually sways from side to side when he walks.

Losing Weight

• A cat that is only slightly overweight may lose the extra weight if you decrease the amount of food you give him and increase his activity. A cat that is significantly overweight should first be examined by a vet to make sure there are no other health problems that require medication or a special diet.
  If your cat has no other health problems, look closely at the food he eats. Most dry cat foods contain too many carbohydrates, along with flour and sugars, and too little protein for optimum health and weight. A food that contains high levels of protein and adequate amounts of fat should be given in either dry or canned form depending on the cat's preference. Feeding cats several small amounts daily is also better than two large meals. Just because the package recommends an amount does not mean it is appropriate for your cat, so watch closely and adjust amounts as needed so weight is not lost too quickly.