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Let’s start by asking – would you realize if your cat needed to cut down?
You know your cat is purr-fect. It’s fluffy and has a paunchy belly. But so, what? It could also imply that it is perfectly healthy. Naturally, you may not understand if your fluffball is on the portly side. In fact, overweight cats now appear to outnumber those who have a healthy weight.
Overfeeding your cat is a big no-no. Even a few additional pounds can increase your cat’s risk of developing certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. It may even prevent your cat from grooming itself properly. Therefore, keeping your cat in shape is crucial to maintain its health, and help it live longer and happier. Well, the good news is that by making some simple dietary and exercise changes, you can assist your overweight cat in losing weight.
Obesity is becoming more prevalent in cats, just as it is in humans. It can have long-term consequences on a cat's health, quality of life, and body functioning. Therefore, obesity in cats must be addressed immediately, as it is linked to serious health problems. Here are the risks of cat obesity:
When your cat becomes overweight, its immune system gets weakened, leaving it more susceptible to infection. This includes urinary infection as well as 'stones,' which are caused in overweight cats because they’re less active, drink less water, and urinate lesser than healthy cats.
Around 80% to 90% of obese cats require daily insulin shots as they are more likely to develop diabetes. But, when their excess weight is eliminated, diabetes can often be reversed.
When your cat’s body senses that it is undernourished, for instance, if a regular food supply is interrupted, the fat is moved from reserves into the liver to be used as energy. But a cat’s body is unable to efficiently control this process, resulting in poor liver function and liver failure.
Cats with excess weight have a harder time grooming themselves, which can contribute to skin problems.
Here is a chart for you to understand better –
After you get your overweight cat in shape, your goal must be to maintain it for its good health and longevity. Here are some things you should avoid doing to keep your cat from becoming overweight:
You should avoid free -feeding your cat to prevent it from becoming obese. Set up definite feeding times and keep treats to a minimum.
Your cat is at even more risk of becoming overweight if it does not engage in any outdoor activity. To avoid boredom and prevent weight gain, find some interesting toys, set aside playtime, and make it a priority for your indoor cat. Another approach is to go for a walk outside with your cat on a leash.
Assess how much cat food your cat truly needs with the advice of your vet, based on your cat's activity level and desired weight. Once you've calculated how much food your cat requires, measure the food for each meal. Remember that cats are little, and while the portion may appear small to you, some extra kibbles can make the difference between maintaining weight and gaining weight.
Another way to help your cat lose weight is to increase her activity. Provide cat 'trees' for climbing or teach your cat to play fetch. Buy or create your own toys that encourage exercise. Many cats enjoy chasing lights from pointers or flashlights. One ingenious owner throws her cat's dry food ration a piece at a time! Many cats enjoy learning to walk on a leash. You also can use your cat's natural hunting instinct to help her lose weight. Hide several small portions of her daily food ration around the house. If you have a multi-level home, make your cat use the stairs. Use your imagination but be cautious. Don't let a fat cat get exhausted, overheated, or out of breath. Also, keep in mind that an old cat may not be able to exercise vigorously.
Use playtime, grooming, stroking, or conversation as rewards instead of food treats. If you cannot resist the fat cat who begs for food at the dinner table, remove the cat during dinnertime. If you have a multi-cat household, the consistent winner of the food competition sweepstakes is often obese. If this is the case, separate the cats at mealtimes if possible.
Obesity is easier to prevent than to cure, but it is never too late to reverse it—though it requires long-term patience and commitment. Helping cats lose weight is a slow process. If the amount they eat is severely restricted, the cat risks other health problems.
Increased activity, behavior modification (for both you and your cat), and calorie restriction are your weapons against feline obesity. However, with all these things, it is important to expect a few setbacks and plateaus. It will take at least four months for an obese cat to lose 15% of her starting weight. At that point, have another look at your cat's body condition and go on from there.
Always check with your veterinarian first.
Eliminate all food treats.
Divide the daily food portion into several smaller meals.
Feed a diet formulated specifically for weight loss.
Weigh your cat every two weeks.
Cats should not lose more than 1% to 1.5% of initial weight per week.
Be patient and consistent!
The symptoms are:
You can treat an obese cat by helping it consume fewer calories. But before that, please consult your vet and understand the amount of weight your cat needs to shed. Also, pair some exercises along with the weight loss diet.
Obesity in cats is often linked to physical inactivity, overfeeding, long sleeping times, and indoor confinement.
You should provide canned food to your cat to help it lose weight. Cats prefer wet food to dry food, which is one of the reasons canned diet foods perform better.
If your cat is overweight, it is more likely to develop heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Excess fat has a negative effect on a cat's health and lifespan. Extra weight also puts strain on your cat's joints, which can lead to arthritis.
Since most feline creatures do not like water, bathing a kitten can seem to be a daunting task. Yet, as a cat parent, you cannot give up. You must bathe your kitty, especially to desensitise them to the experience and prevent skin problems. However, most first-time cat parents do not know how to get started with bathing their kittens. If you are one of them, fret not! With patience and a gentle approach, you can turn bathing time into a positive experience for your feline friend. So, read on! This article takes a deep dive into how to bathe a kitten.
Before you go on to bathing your kitten, do not forget to trim its nails. Feline creatures do not hesitate from clawing anyone or anything that triggers discomfort in them. Not even their own caregivers. Similarly, there are multiple other things you must ensure while bathing your kitten. Let's explore them in brief:
Brush your kitten's fur
Kittens shed all year long. Like humans, they might shed in excess while bathing, and that might clog your draining system. Hence, it's best to brush your kitty's fur thoroughly to get rid of the loose fur before you place it in the bathtub.
Pick the right time
Your kitten is going to oppose the bathing time with full force when it is highly energetic. However, when it is tired and exhausted, your pet might just let you do your thing. So, bathe your newborn kitty after tiresome activities like playtime, exercise, etc.
Use a kitten-specific shampoo
When bathing your kitty, go for a bottle of shampoo that is specifically developed for cats. And avoid shampoos used by humans at all costs. As cats groom themselves, chances are that they may ingest some shampoo residue left on their fur.
Rinse thoroughly
Use a cup or small container to rinse off the shampoo from your kitten’s fur, ensuring that water doesn’t get into its ears, nose, or eyes. Since you want your kitty to feel comfortable during the bathing session, avoid using extremely hot or cold water. Instead, go for a few degrees above lukewarm. Moreover, run your fingers through its coat to evenly distribute the water.
Shower your kitten with treats
When you are done bathing your kitten, reward it with treats immediately. Playtime and treats can help your feline friend resonate bathing time with fun moments. Treats can also come in handy to distract your pet if it starts to get anxious.
Every time you bathe your kitty, you must dry it thoroughly. In fact, it is one of the most important aspects of learning how to wash a kitten as damp fur can lead to skin problems. However, you do not want to vigorously rub a towel on your pet’s fur. It will only cause discomfort and irritation. Since bathing is a stressful experience for most kitties, you need to be extra careful while drying their fur up. So, here’s a step-by-step guide on drying your kitten’s coat:
Step 1: Place your kitten on a clean and dry towel.
Step 2: Wrap your kitty in the aforesaid towel.
Step 3: Sit on a chair with your pet on your lap and allow it to calm down.
Step 4: Press the towel gently against your kitten’s fur to get rid of excess water.
Step 5: Continue to press dry your kitty’s fur until its damp and not soaking wet.
Cats and kittens have an aversion to water due to their ancestral history. These feline creatures were once desert-dwelling animals, which means they rarely encountered rains, lakes, or rivers. Hence, all types of water – except drinking water – is alien to them. And that’s probably why your fur baby tries to resist the bathing session. However, being gentle with your little kitty can prevent issues and make the whole experience a little comfortable for it. Moreover, do not submerge your furry friend under running water and keep its bath time as short as possible.
Note: If your kitten continues to show extreme distress during bath time, consult a veterinarian.
Now that you know how to bathe a kitten, go on and help your pet groom. The time spent bathing your kitty provides you two with an opportunity to establish an unbreakable bond. Moreover, it will familiarise your kitten with your touch, fostering trust and strong cat-owner relationship.
