Putting your cat on a diet can make a big difference in their weight and overall health, since extra weight can lead to a lack of energy and significant health issues down the road. If you're curious about putting your cat on a diet, you may not know where to start, due to how demanding your cat can be when they're hungry. Before putting your cat on a diet, it's a good idea to schedule a visit to the vet. Your veterinarian can help out with the following things so that you will be much more likely to succeed in keeping your cat on a healthy diet.
Get Prescription Weight-Loss Food
The food that you're feeding your cat currently could be a source of the problem of your cat's weight, since it may have more calories than it should. With this in mind, it's a good idea to ask that about whether or not you should be switching their food. Many veterinarians may offer prescription food that's ideal for weight loss, allowing your cat to eat a food that they like, but with a large decrease in calories.
This prescription food can make sure your cat is still getting all the nutrients they need, without all the excess calories and fillers that could be leading to a lot of weight gain over the years.
Set Up a Gradual Diet Plan
It can be difficult for your cat to experience a significant cut in the amount of food that they get every day. With this in mind, it's a good idea to speak to your vet about setting up a gradual diet plan that will help your cat slowly cut down on the amount of food that they're eating. Reducing their food slowly, over the course of a few weeks or months, can help your cat adjust to the new amount of calories that they'll be eating.
Make Sure There are No Health Concerns
In some cases, your cat could be overeating due to a health problem. Speaking to your vet can help you figure out if your cat has any existing health issues that could be causing them to have a bigger appetite. This can include parasites or even diabetes.
Visiting your vet when you want to put your cat on a diet can help you have a much higher chance of succeeding with weight loss in a healthy way. For more information, talk to companies like Healthy Paws Veterinary Hospital & Housecalls.
