One of the most difficult aspects of being a pet owner is watching your beloved furry friend age. As you are responsible for their well-being from the time they come under your car until they pass, there are certain things you should be on the lookout for with senior animals.
Older cats have a tendency to gain weight, which is largely due to a lack of mobility in their senior years. Being aware of older cat health needs and educating yourself on how you can help your cat age as fit and in as good of shape as possible is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.
Learning how to reduce obesity in senior cats will not only help your cat live a comfortable life in his or her golden years, but also it will give you the opportunity to spend as much time as possible enjoying your cat’s presence. Below you will find information on why senior cats have a tendency to gain weight, as well as some tips and tricks to help you keep them at the weight they should be.
Helping Your Older Cat Lose Weight will Reduce Many Health Risks
Weight loss is difficult for anyone, human or animal. However, it is important to note that coming up with a plan that will help your cat lose weight and stay in shape will add years to your cat’s life, and make those years far more enjoyable for the both of you.
It is imperative for your cat to lose weight because obesity puts them at a risk for developing serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint injuries, arthritis and some forms of cancer. Paying attention to your older cat health needs will allow you to prolong his or her life.
Senior cats oftentimes gain weight because they tend to be less physically active and energetic. They typically lack the desire to play and would much rather laze around all day! While some lethargy is normal as a cat ages, it is important for you to keep an eye on just how often your cat opts to sleep and lie around.
If this laziness is leading to weight gain, you should contact your local vet and work together to come up with a weight loss plan for your furry companion.
Be Sure to Talk to Your Vet about Your Older Cat’s Diet
In theory, helping your cat lose weight seems simple enough: fewer calories means weight loss. However, this is not always the case. If your elderly cat is overweight, you should contact your vet before putting him or her on a diet.
Because a cat’s physiology is very different from that of humans or even dogs, it is important for you to be aware of some of the dangers and complications that may come up as they age. If your senior cat does not eat for as little as two consecutive days, he or she may be at risk for developing a life-threatening form of liver disease. We cannot say enough how important it is for you to help your cat lose weight the right way.
In addition to working with your vet to come up with a diet that best suits your cat’s lifestyle, you should also do your best to encourage exercise. Since it is unlikely you and your cat will start jogging together, you may find the following tips for exercise helpful:
- Move their food bowl to different locations in the house
- Move the food bowl as far away from your cat’s favorite lazing places as possible
- Invest in a special “feeding ball” that requires your cat to roll them around in order to get pieces of food out as a reward
- Go to your local pet store and buy some feather toys, laser pointers, paper balls and other toys your cat may like to chase
Helping your older cat reduce his or her obesity is an important aspect of pet ownership. If you have any questions about the above listed information or tips, please feel free to contact our clinic.
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