Is your kitty starting to look a bit round? Obesity is quite common among our feline friends. Given Fluffy’s tendency to spend most of her time sleeping and eating, this probably isn’t surprising. However, those extra pounds carry some very serious health risks for your furry buddy, including heart disease, liver problems, and diabetes. Your cat will be much healthier if she stays at or near her ideal weight! Below, a Cherry Hill, NJ vet offers advice on keeping your furball from turning into a butterball.
Playtime!
Although your frisky pet may enjoy occasionally dashing out at you from behind a door or piece of furniture, this alone isn’t enough activity to keep her in shape. And, needless to say, you probably won’t have much luck getting Fluffy to run laps up and down the hall. Tempt your furball into moving with fun play sessions. If you use a toy you can control, like a wand toy or laser pointer, you’ll have a better chance of really getting your kitty engaged. Cats can burn a lot of calories pouncing and jumping!
Toys
We know, you can’t spend all your time playing with your kitty. Make sure Fluffy has plenty of fun playthings to keep her amused while you’re at work. Consider getting her a kitty tower: she’ll be able to use it as a manicure station and a jungle gym! You can also get your furry buddy some cute mechanized toys, such as a robotic mouse or an automated laser pointer.
Diet
As one might expect, diet plays a huge role in determining Fluffy’s weight. Feed your feline friend a good, high-quality pet food, but don’t overindulge her with fatty treats or snacks. You’ll also want to keep an eye on your pet’s portion sizes. Even giving your four-legged pal ten extra calories a day can cause her to gain a pound each year. That may not sound like much, but for a small animal like a cat, it’s actually quite a bit! It’s worth noting that kitties who eat dry food may be more likely to gain weight than those who get canned food. This is because many dry food formulas are high in carbs.
Do you have any questions or concerns about your kitty’s health, care, or behavior? We can help! Contact us, your local Cherry Hill, NJ animal clinic, today!
