With the start of 2010, many of us have renewed our fitness resolutions for the year. Just as we resolve to eat better and trim up, we should also make the same resolutions for our cats. There are several health risks associated with obesity in cats. Overweight and obese cats are at greater risk of developing diabetes and the extra weight is harder on their joints as they age. As a veterinarian and guardian of two very spoiled kitties, I can adamantly say that weight management in cats is not easy but is key to keeping them healthy.

Perhaps the best place to start when developing a weight management strategy for your cat is to understand what an ideal cat body should look like. This is easily done by employing the “healthy hug” method of assessing body condition. When you give your cat a healthy hug, the ribs, backbone and pelvis should be easily felt but not seen and a tucked waist should be noted when viewing your cat from both above and the side. The healthy hug takes into account both frame size and degrees of coat fluffiness. The next step is to weigh your cat and record it so you can keep track of his progress. Based on the healthy hug and body weight, you and your veterinarian now have a starting point to determine a weight loss target and how much to feed your cat.

There are many ways to calculate starting calories for a diet plan. I tell my clients that a mouse is 30 calories each and the average cat needs to eat between 6 and 8 mice per day (hunting in between each one). Based on this idea, the average cat needs between 180 and 240 calories per day — fed in small meals and ideally working between each one — so check the calorie content of the diet you are currently feeding to see if you fall within this amount and adjust based on how active your cat is.

Once we know how many calories we can feed in a day, it is easy to calculate what proportion of calories will come from dry food and how much from canned. Although canned food is higher in calories on a dry matter bases, the extra water lowers the “as fed” calorie content thereby making canned food an excellent option from a satiety point of view.
Treats are important — I love chocolate and would be very upset if it was cut out from my diet — but remember that treats should be supplying no more than 10 per cent of your cat’s daily calories. If you wish to incorporate treats, simply adjust how much of their regular diet you are feeding so you stay within their caloric needs. Once you know how much to feed, below are some simple tricks to help you stay on track.

Feeding many small meals throughout the day is ideal for your cat’s metabolism so try to feed as least three (breakfast, supper, and bedtime snack) meals in a day.

Use a proper measuring cup when determining portions, no guesstimating!

If your cat associates you with food and decides that 4 a.m. is the best time to be fed, consider an automatic feeder. Your cat cannot argue with a machine.

If your cat is the type that eats fast, consider a treat ball where the food can be placed and your cat needs to play to get it out. Feeling creative? Make your own! Take a water bottle and cut out holes the same size as the kibble. Your cat must bat the bottle around to get the food out — an instant way to slow down their eating, increase their physical activity, and increase their mental stimulation.

Tough love is required! My cats will try to persuade me into feeding them again and I am sure your cats are just as creative at getting what they want. If they are persistent, consider substituting that extra treat for catnip or some playtime with their favourite toy.

Remember that the nutritional requirements for growing kittens, pregnant and nursing queens, senior cats, and those with medical conditions are different so consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are feeding the right amount for your cat.
Once you’ve worked out how much to feed and how often, the next step is monitoring. The goal is slow and steady weight loss. Keep track of your success with routine weigh-ins and keep your veterinarian informed of your progress or any concerns. Many clinics offer programs to keep track of weight loss and offer advice when the diet is not going too well — all you need to do is ask. In more challenging cases, a diet change may be necessary if your cat is acting too ravenous on the fed amount or the strategy is just not working.

We all know that weight management is challenging but when the steps are broken down and clear guidance given, you realize that it is a challenge that can be met and overcome. As these are only general guidelines, any questions about weight management or your cat’s body condition should be directed to your veterinarian, so a more individualized plan can be developed.

—Dr. Liz Ruelle practices at Willow Park Feline Clinic. Her cats, Mr. Bigglesworth and Yoda, are on a diet plan.