While you may like your obese cat, her excess weight may cause significant health complications. A two pounds overweight cat is a danger of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and joint injuries. Obese cats live shorter lives and become less active and playful as they age. With the appropriate strategy, you can help your cat lose weight and live a long life.

Take your cat to the vet.

While it may be tempting to change your cat's diet without consulting your physician, this could cause a significant health concern called hepatic lipidosis. This life-threatening liver illness can develop in fat cats who feed correctly. Take your cat to the vet for a check-up and guidance before placing her on a diet.

Your vet will examine your cat to assess her obesity. She may also screen your cat for underlying ailments or health conditions that could help your cat lose weight. As soon as your cat is healthy, your vet should discuss weight-loss strategies with you.

Obese cats are more likely to get diabetes. Your veterinarian will most likely suggest a diet if your cat has diabetes. She'll probably offer a diet plan to assist her in healthily losing weight. Insulin shots may be required for your cat, which you can discuss with your veterinarian.

How to get my Cat to Lose Weight.

To determine how much food to give your cat to help it lose weight, first choose your cat's target weight with your vet's help. In addition to the physical exam results, your doctor will calculate your cat's appropriate body weight. Your cat's ideal weight is determined by her size and build.

The average domestic cat weighs 8-10 lbs (3.6-4.4 kg). Depending on your cat's obesity, your vet may set a target weight that is greater than average for her size and build. If your cat weighs 18 pounds, her ideal weight is 10-12 pounds. Your vet may prescribe a realistic goal weight of 15 pounds for both you and your cat. Your vet may advise you to lose weight once your cat achieves a healthy goal weight.

Your cat should shed weight gradually over time. In this case, it should lose one pound per month for three months if desired weight is 15 pounds. Progressively Losing weight will prevent developing liver or other health issues.

Decide your cat's appropriate calorie consumption. 

Calculate your cat's daily resting energy requirement (RER). This is how many calories a cat needs to be healthy while not active.

RER in kcal/day = 30 (body weight in kg) + 70. Calories per day are calculated using your cat's weight in kilograms.

To help your cat lose weight, feed her 80% of her RER or multiply it by 0.8. If her optimal weight is 10 pounds, she should eat 210 calories every day.If she wants to lose 12 lbs, she needs 230 calories daily.

Remember that daily calorie consumption is a guideline. Underfeeding your cat might lead to health complications. Your vet may also make dietary advice for your cat.

                                          Getty Images/istockphoto

Look for good-grade canned cat food.

Canned wet food is an excellent choice for many overweight cats. Help them slim down. Many cats prefer wet food to dry food, and you may regulate how much you feed your cat daily. Check the calorie count on the canned food labels and only feed your cat enough to meet her daily calorie needs.

Canning wet food also prevents your cat from nibbling on food all day, which happens when your cat is bored or eating merely to eat. Uncontrolled eating can contribute to weight gain.

Your vet may be able to recommend high-quality wet food products. Your veterinarian may be able to suggest a food brand with elements that won't irritate your cat's diabetes.

Introduce your cat's new diet cautiously.

Allow your cat one to two weeks to adjust to their new diet. Most cats will adapt nicely to fresh food if introduced gradually.

For two to four days, combine 14 of her new diet food with 34 of her old. For two to four days, increase this to 12 new and 12 old foods. For three to five days, increase to 34 new foods and 14 old foods. After five days, you can entirely switch her diet.

Create a feeding regimen for your cat that simultaneously includes two to three meals per day. This will assist her body in adapting to her new food consumption. If you have other pets, feed your overweight cat separately so you can keep track of her food intake.

Add a little ketchup and salmon or tuna juice to get your cat to consume her new food. You can also try reheating the food for her.

Give your cat nutrition supplements. 

Less food means fewer nutrients for your cat. Your cat needs nutrients to be fit and healthy. Your vet can recommend supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and multivitamins for your cat.

If your cat has diabetes, your veterinarian may advise you on how and when to administer insulin. Diet modifications help some diabetic cats stop needing insulin shots. Before quitting your diabetic cat's injections, bring her to the vet.

Treats low in calories. Your obese cat probably gained weight from too many high-calorie snacks. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, generally high in fat and sugar. Treats should not exceed 10% of your cat's daily calorie consumption.

Low-calorie delights include unsalted, unbuttered air-popped popcorn, cooked broccoli or green beans, and canned diet food baked or frozen. You may bake or freeze canned food slices to give your cat a snack.

You can also buy your cat low-calorie commercial treats. The ingredients should not be heavy in sugar, fat, or empty calories.

Substitute a compassionate deed for a treat, such as brushing your cat or letting her play with a new toy. Cats often respond to your undivided attention as well as a treat.

                                      Bronson The Cat/Instagram 

Play with your cat.

To help your cat lose weight, play with her at least once or twice a day. her toys to start a 30-minute indoor play session with your cat.  You might also reward her with a low-calorie goodie after each play session.

Get your cat to chase her toys and you while you hold them. You might want to switch up her toys every time you play with her.

Take your kitty for a walk.

Some cats prefer walking on a leash, while others do not. The only way to figure out where your cat stands is to take her on a walk. It may be difficult for some cats, especially those who live inside. But taking your cat for a daily walk can benefit both of you. 

Provide your cat with climbing and scratching posts.

Indoors, install climbing and scratching posts to encourage your overweight pet to move around and exercise. The posts should have several levels of scratching. This forces your cat to stretch and climb to specific sections of the post.

Your cat will like having several vantage points on the posts so they may sit and relax

Put your cat's toys on different parts of the post to encourage her to stretch and climb

Make toys from toilet paper rolls and boxes.

Make easy interactive toys for your cat to get moving. Stack several toilet paper rolls to build a pyramid and fill it with low-calorie cat treats. Cut holes in a cardboard box and place treats inside for your cat to move, shake, and toss to get to. 

These interactive toys can let your cat play and exercise all day. They are perfect for indoor cats who don't get out much to play or run

             

                                           Mike Christian / Barcroft

Play with your cat.

To help your cat lose weight, play with her at least once or twice a day. Use her toys to start a 30-minute indoor play session with your cat. You might also reward her with a low-calorie goodie after each play session.

Get your cat to chase her toys and you while you hold them. You might want to switch up her toys every time you play with her.

Take your kitty for a walk. 

Some cats prefer walking on a leash, while others do not. The only way to figure out where your cat stands is to take her on a walk. It may be difficult for some cats, especially those who live inside. But taking your cat for a daily walk can benefit both of you. 

Provide your cat with climbing and scratching posts. 

Indoors, install climbing and scratching posts to encourage your overweight pet to move around and exercise. The posts should have several levels of scratching. This forces your cat to stretch and climb to specific sections of the post.

Your cat will like having several vantage points on the posts so they may sit and relax.

Put your cat's toys on different parts of the post to encourage her to stretch and climb.

Make toys from toilet paper rolls and boxes. 

Make easy interactive toys for your cat to get moving. Stack several toilet paper rolls to build a pyramid and fill it with low-calorie cat treats. Cut holes in a cardboard box and place treats inside for your cat to move, shake, and toss to get to. 

These interactive toys can let your cat play and exercise all day. They are perfect for indoor cats who don't get out much to play or run.

       

                                    iStock

 Weigh your cat often. 

Every day, weigh your cat on the same scale at the same time. To ensure the figures are exact, you may need to use a lower scale. Keep track of your cat's daily weight and how much weight your cat loses each week or month. Weight loss should be gradual and steady. 

When documenting your cat's weight, keep an eye out for any weight plateaus. This is unavoidable. The table should disappear if you stick to her diet and exercise plan.

Keep track of your cat's improvement. 

It's critical to maintain tabs on your cat's weight loss to help you evaluate her diet and exercise. Notate her food intake, including snacks, training, and weekly weight.

Make sure your cat only eats within her recommended calorie intake and loses weight steadily. If she starts to gain weight, look into her nutrition and see if someone indulges her with additional sweets s or food.

Taking before and after photos of your cat is another way to track their improvement. Take pictures at the start of her diet and then monthly to follow her development.

Make sure you chat to your vet regularly and report your cat's weight loss progress. Your vet should be involved in the monitoring to detect any potential health issues or problems in your cat as she loses weight.

Create an activity and diet regimen for your cat. 

Make monthly vet visits to verify your cat is reducing weight safely and sustainably. Once she reaches her goal weight, make a long-term plan to help her keep it off. You can increase her food intake but keep her active and healthy.

It would help if you watched her weight increase for two weeks and not allow her to gain more than 3% of her body weight in one week, as these are signs of relapse into obesity. Instead, focus on making her nutrition and exercise a habit.