I recently found myself googling “how to get your cat to lose weight” and stumbled upon countless Reddit threads and pet blogs with vague, often contradictory information. Full disclosure: This particular search was brought on when my cat's automatic litter box sent me a notification that my cat Basil was at the heaviest he's ever been—17 pounds.
I often joke that Basil is just a big, corn-fed Missouri boy, of hardy stock. He's always been a big cat, but after consulting my vet, she said he should ideally hover around 15 pounds. So I set out on a mission to find out how pet parents can get their often-overweight cats and dogs to lose weight healthily; especially for pet parents like me with indoor cats who live in small areas. I talked to vets and pet experts, researched, and used my own cats as guinea pigs to find out the most effective ways to get your pet to lose weight at home.
How to Tell if Your Pet Is Overweight
Before you try to get your cat (or your dog!) to lose weight, you need to know whether it's actually overweight. According to a 2023 report from Upper Arlington Veterinary Hospital, about 55 to 60 percent of household cats and dogs are overweight. Consulting a veterinarian is best if you suspect your pet is overweight in order to get on a healthy fitness and diet plan. But initially, you can usually easily tell if the pet is overweight by checking them from top and side views: “You should be able to feel the ribs with [a] gentle touch,” says veterinarian Daniel Dixon. “When you look at them from above, you should be able to [see the] waist, where the abdomen tucks in a little bit.”
There are also body condition scoring charts for dogs and cats available online, with guidelines and visual representations of different pet weights, so you can easily compare your pet to the various body weights. Most often, you'll be able to feel the ribs and spine without too much pressure. These metrics are based on size and length, not weight in pounds, since every pet's body is different, and ideal weight for each will vary as well. No matter what, make sure you always consult a veterinarian for a second opinion if a diet and plan are needed.
A 14-year-long study from Purina concluded that owners who kept their dogs at a healthy weight extended their median life span by 15 percent, adding nearly two years to the lives of the Labradors in the study. It's not only the responsible thing to do, but it will keep your fur baby around for longer.
How Can You Get Your Pet to Be More Active?
For dogs, it's a bit simpler:
Walk daily ; dogs should have at least two 15-minute walks per day.
; dogs should have at least two 15-minute walks per day. Let them outside frequently and take them to dog parks (if they can safely socialize).
... continue reading