How to help a cat lose weight

Around a third of UK pet cats are overweight – but it’s not always immediately obvious to cat owners when their feline is carrying excess padding. For instance, many people think that cats with an optimal healthy physique look underweight.

However, almost half (49%) of veterinary professionals who took part in research for the PDSA’s 2023 PAW Report claimed they had seen an increase in pet obesity in the past two years. And 26% agreed it is one of the top welfare issues affecting cats in the UK.

So, it’s always a good idea to monitor your pet’s weight and to consult your vet for impartial cat diet advice. Vets assess a cat’s weight using a system called body conditioning scoring (BCS), which you can also learn to do yourself at home.

If your cat’s belly is becoming a bit rounder, or you can no longer feel their ribs through the fat covering them, these can be signs of an overweight cat. Read on to find out what you can do.

If your overweight cat does need to lose weight, putting them on a calorie-controlled recommended cat diet is a good place to start. Speak to your vet first, who can advise on suitable cat food formulations.

Vets generally recommend switching to a reduced-calorie cat food, as well as:

• Gradually reducing your cat’s daily food allowance
• Cutting out treats – or at least reducing them
• Encouraging more exercise
• Regularly weighing your pet to monitor cat weight reduction

Sticking with your cat’s usual food and simply trying to reduce their portion sizes is often ineffective. If cats feel short-changed, they will beg for more food, or look to acquire it elsewhere – such as next door.

If your cat is overweight or your vet suggests they could benefit from losing a few centimetres from their waistline, it’s important to monitor what they’re eating.

UK Pet Food recommends feeding to your cat’s ideal weight, not their actual bodyweight. Check the feeding guide on your cat’s food (you’ll also be able to find more information on how much you should be feeding your cat on the manufacturer’s website) – but remember to subtract any other sources of food on offer.

Petplan veterinary expert, Brian Faulkner, recommends ‘weighing out the recommended amount of food in the morning, as opposed to ad lib feeding, which helps to avoid over-feeding throughout the day. Many pet owners guess the recommended volume of food and it’s easy to be 10% over – which often means 10% more body fat for your pet.’

If you have more than one cat, make sure to feed them in separate rooms, so you can keep track of how much each cat is eating. You could even try putting an obese cat’s food bowl at the top of the stairs to encourage them to climb and use more calories.

It’s also important to stick to regular feeding times. Cats are natural snackers, and given the choice, they’ll keep returning to their bowl all day long. While cats should only take in what they need, modern pet foods are so tasty that cats can often overeat. Leave out the right amount at recommended intervals throughout the day to avoid this.

Finally, be sure to use treats sparingly. Avoid processed versions that can be high in calories, opting instead for natural alternatives such as a small piece of plain chicken breast.

Cat owners should also be aware that ‘maintenance’ or ‘light’ cat foods on the market aren’t the same as a veterinary-approved, calorie-controlled diet formulation. As the word maintenance implies, these are more about keeping things the same, rather than actively losing weight.

Left to their own devices in the wild, cats would go on multiple hunts a day, burning off the energy from their food in the process. Today, fewer cats go outside, and those that do aren’t necessarily motivated to hunt or chase.

To help your cat get the benefits of exercise, try recreating hunting activities at home by using fishing-rod toys, cat trees and feeding puzzles that only release food when an action is performed.

Below are a few other indoor games you can play with your cat to help keep them active.

Getting your cat to work for their food doesn’t just help with weight loss, it stimulates their brain too.

Start by scattering dry kibble across the kitchen floor for them to sniff out. If your cat shows an interest in foraging, try using a puzzle feeder – or make a DIY version by punching two holes (just large enough for treats to fall through when shaken) in the bottom of an empty, clean yoghurt pot. Attach string to the top and tie it in a spot that’s easily accessible to your cat. They’ll need to hit the feeder with their paws to make the treats drop through.

Don’t forget to ensure any treats you give your cat are low in calories, and that you subtract these from their daily calorie intake.

As predators, cats will hide and jump out to surprise their prey. Make a place for them to hide by cutting a hole in an upturned, empty cardboard box or draping a sheet over your coffee table.

You could also buy a play tunnel for your cat. When your cat is inside, you can encourage them to play by dangling a feather toy at the entrance of their hideout and watch them try to trap their ‘prey’.

Bring the outside in with an app that’s designed to satisfy your cat’s instinct to hunt.

Mouse for Cats (free for iOS and Android) allows your cat to ‘catch’ an on-screen rodent by tapping at it with their paw. So they don’t lose interest, play alongside your cat and offer them a physical toy to ‘catch’ at the end, as well as the benefit of one-on-one interaction.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s weight, especially if they have suddenly lost or gained weight, speak to your vet. If you have Petplan cat insurance, you can also access our Pet Expert Chat by logging into your My Petplan account and asking any questions.