Like humans, cats can gain a few extra pounds, especially as they get older, less active, and spend all day lounging indoors.

Determining that your cat is overweight is not easy, especially if he or she is long-haired. Some breeds are naturally larger than others. Examining your pet's body will only take a few minutes and quickly give you an idea of what shape your pet is in.

If you are still unsure but suspect that your pet is overweight, talk to your veterinarian. It is essential to speak with your vet before making any changes to your cat's diet because being overweight may be a symptom of illness.

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How to weigh your cat.

An easy way to control your cat's weight is to weigh at home. Just pick your cut up when you step on the scale, weigh yourself without the cat and subtract one from the other. The remainder will be the weight of your cat. But do not rely on this alone. An adequate examination will give you a much more complete picture of your pet's health.

The reasons why a cat is gaining weight can be divided into two large groups:

●     Nature: heredity, hormonal disorders, age.

It is important here not to wait for nature to take its toll. Treating obese cats is a veterinarian's job. At the first sign of obesity, you first need to visit a doctor. If it is not just about nutrition, the cat needs to be treated.

●     Unhealthy lifestyle: improper nutrition, insufficient physical activity.

Here the chances of recovery are much higher, but it is up to you to put in effort to prolong your cat's life.

Excess weight is an extra burden on the heart and joints. Therefore, regardless of the cause, obesity in cats and dogs must be cured. Cats usually gain excess weight when the owner slows down physical activity.

By nature, cats are predators and get their own food. The food appears in the bowl by itself at home, so the cat must not spend the energy. As a result, the cat gets more calories than can be used, and the weight grows.

Another problem is the non-systemic power supply. If you sometimes give a sausage to the cat because he or she is too lazy to go for food, it will soon become a habit. It is essential to understand that the cat should have its own food, and you should not dilute it.

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The danger of obesity.

The health risks of overweight cats are serious, and every owner should be aware of them. The most common consequences of obesity are discussed below.

Obese cats develop an increased risk for: many types of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and hypertension, osteoarthritis and a faster degeneration of affected joints.

Infections

There are a number of bacterial and viral infections that are caused by excess weight from not paying attention to what the cat eats. That makes the cat feel free to swallow anything, even outside.

Vet's guide on ThePets.net says that these bacterial infections can cause upset stomachs in our pets. The symptoms can range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening dehydration, depending on the cause of the infection and the strength of your cat’s immune system. Cat’s gurgling stomach is a sign that it is better to visit a veterinarian and together create a diet for your cat.

Arterial hypertension

Overweight cats may develop a persistent increase in blood pressure, which puts additional stress on the cardiovascular system. The heart must also work harder to pump blood to all the extra tissues in the body.

Decreased quality and life expectancy

In cats with painful obesity, immunity may be reduced, also the risk of developing urinary tract diseases, constipation, and flatulence may be increased. From the above facts, it is evident that overweight animals are impaired in health, body care, and physical activity. Obese cats may become more irritable due to pain or discomfort.

Liver disease

When you are overweight, fatty tissue accumulates in the liver. This condition is called lipidosis and is very common in obese cats. This disease can lead to liver failure, which is life-threatening.

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How to get your cat back to a perfect weight.

Always check with your veterinarian before beginning or changing your pet's diet. The cat must be weighed and may need to be tested for certain diseases before starting the diet and imposing restrictions on the amount of food consumed. To help your pet lose weight quickly and painlessly, try to eliminate all kinds of desserts and treats, including milk, from your furry friend's diet for two weeks. Ensure everyone in the family is aware of the cat's new diet and that no one is slowly feeding your pet! If you have multiple cats, feed them separately not to be tempted to eat from a nearby bowl.

Try to feed your pet more often, but in smaller portions. This will help the cat cope with hunger and allow you to more effectively control the total amount of food eaten. Besides, your veterinarian may suggest that you reduce your total daily feed intake and switch to a special low-calorie diet. And remember - never force your cat to starve or reduce the amount of food without consulting your veterinarian, as this may well lead to serious health problems.

Some specialty cat food brands also offer specialty products tailored to spayed cats or pets' tastes and nutritional needs with little or no outdoor activities. Typically, these foods help spayed cats of all ages need less energy to maintain lean body mass while maintaining proper glucose metabolism and proper urinary tract function.

While a healthy diet is the first step to weight loss, your pet's lifestyle is essential. Lack of exercise is often one of the main reasons for weight gain, so encourage your pet to be as active as possible by burning as many calories as possible. Long-term games with your pet will help you achieve this goal: many cats love to play with a ball or jumping teaser toys.

Diets based on the use of light food.

Light food is enriched with all trace elements and nutrients necessary for a cat's body. Therefore, even if you need to reduce the total amount of food your pet eats daily, you can be sure that your furry friend is getting all the vitamins and minerals needed in the right amount and the proper proportions. Note that if your cat is already following the diet recommended by your veterinarian, you should consult again before changing the diet on your own.

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Increase your pet's physical activity.

The overweight kitten eventually turns into a fat cat, whose health has already been undermined. Being overweight often leads to osteoarthritis, which in turn leads to diabetes and urinary problems. This is why it is imperative to maintain your pet's ideal weight and physical condition. Remember that gymnastics is an effective way to prevent obesity and control your furry friend's weight, and prevention is always better than cure!

Purchase toys, indoor climbing slides, or scratching posts to keep your cat active. Play with your pet regularly, and remember that anything that moves immediately grabs the cat's attention and allows your furry friend to hone his hunting skills.

The social and home environment is also critical to keeping your cat physically active. Think about how many things it can climb in your house? Try putting away toys right after playing with your pet so that they will bring it joy the next time they appear again. If you have a two-story home, try experimenting by placing a bowl of food on the second floor, away from where your pet sleeps, to encourage movement as much as possible while climbing stairs now and then.

Why your cat cannot lose weight.

A leaner diet and frequent exercise should become a habit because single shots cannot instill a healthy lifestyle. We need consistency. It is necessary to create such usual conditions under which it will become easy to lose weight. And it is both about your cat and you. These are some bad habits that may prevent your pet from losing weight. 

• Is it hard not to treat your pet when it asks? Choose pet treats with fewer calories and adjust the amount of food you give to compensate.
• You can't just cut the diet and give the same products. It may not be about the quantity of food, but the quality.
• Do not expect too much. There is a long road ahead, so give yourself the right to make mistakes. The main thing in losing weight is regularity and consistency, and past failures should not deter your motivation.