Not sure where this should be posted - overweight pets?

I definitely agree about making a plan with your vet's input. Best for all involved. Most veterinarians will be thrilled that you want to help your pet in this way and will be happy to help. So many people just don't bother.

I had a miniature dachshund who was always quite small/thin but after about age 7 she reached 13 lb but was supposed to be in the 10 lb range. She didn't seem to have any problems but I was concerned about the strain on her back and just stopped feeding her treats or any form of table scraps, opting instead to give her extra toys, walks and attention, but just her normal mealtime food w/ no treats. It worked very well and she wound up at 10-11 lb for the rest of her life (several more years).

So, I went keto myself and Kitty always thinks she needs to eat when I enter the house. She wasn't overweight but I thought less eating would help her because she seemed neurotic about it. Thinking different eating has helped me so much with my energy levels, I decided to not leave food down for her all the time. She went to eating twice a day and now she has SO much energy! She's about 7 years old and his become an active kitten again, so playful and fun! Looks to me like she feels much better, too! Lots of energy and very lovey. She's even changed in her hormonal levels, I think, because she is less skittish about strangers during my yardsale. Nice benefits from only two meals a day. Hope this helps!

Hi! I have 3 cats, 2 were overweight and one was underweight. They are all a normal weight now. It's very similar to people in terms of CICO. Like others have said (and just like with people), you don't want to cut too fast too soon. My cats would wake me up at night if they were hungry, so I save a little food to give them before bedtime.

It's definitely possible to help pets lose weight, she will be so much healthier! An overweight cat I had years ago became diabetic, and was determined not to let that happen to another pet. Good luck!

ChrisCatMama wrote: »

My cat Sweetpea (in my profile picture) is very overweight. I found her struggling to get out of her litter box this morning. I decided, enough is enough. She needs to lose weight. I’m feeding her only 2 times a day and gonna try to play with her more often (she does get her share of play time!). Of course I plan on always keeping water available for her.
Has anyone else had an overweight pet they’ve been able to help lose weight?

My cat's vet suggested gradually reducing dry food by 1 teaspoon each week until I got down to 1/4 cup dry + usual wet food. I had been feeding him 1/3 cup dry plus 1/3 of a 5.5 oz can of wet food. My cat was 15.5 pounds. Several months later he's down to 14.5. He's pretty close to goal I think.

I recently purchased a feeding toy, a ball he rolls around on the floor to get 1 or 2 pieces of food at a time. That keeps him from scarfing down his food as quickly.

Calories are listed on bags and cans. It's amazing the calorie differences.
https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/cat/jcoates/2012/june/how_much_should_you_feed_your_cat-23694

HIIT training is the answer!




That...... & Apple Cider Vinegar.

(but everyone already knows that.)

First, kudos on stepping up for your furbaby.

Second, my sister was able to help her cats lose weight with some information gained through Googling. I don’t recall the exact details, but the most important part was maintaining a feeding schedule. I believe they’re fed three times daily, plus two treats that they recive as part of a “fetch” game. Meals and treats are measured. Since losing the weight (female lost about a third of her body weight and the male about a quarter) they are exponentially more active, healthy, and socialable. They’re greedy guts though and will swipe food any chance they can get (the female has developed a taste for brocolli and they have to wash dishes immediately or the male will lick them clean in the sink), so be ready to safeguard food like you would with kids lol.