HOW CAN I STOP MY INDOOR CAT PUTTING ON WEIGHT?
Indoor cats can be prone to weight gain if they don’t have enough opportunity to exercise and lead a sedentary life. Obesity makes cats more prone to diseases such as diabetes. Combat this by making an effort to spend time each day playing with your cat using interactive toys, including balls and fishing rod-style toys that he can chase and jump for.
Choose a food that is best suited to your cat’s individual needs. Your vet will be able to advise you on this. There are premium foods designed for indoor-only cats, and you can also buy ‘light’ foods intended for cats with a tendency to put on weight. Bored cats will tend to eat more, so it’s a good idea to add some kibble to treat ball toys, taken out of his daily food ration. It’ll encourage him to play a little more and ‘work’ for his food.
HOW TO SCATTER FEED INDOOR CATS
Another option is to scatter feed — distribute a handful of kibble in a room for him to find. This will help provide interest for him and relieve boredom too. If you feed wet food, do be careful in the hottest of weathers, as the food will become stale quicker. Take it up after your cat has eaten, but if he likes to pick through the day, put dry food down as described above. Be aware also, that cats tend to eat less when it’s hot — and can be lethargic on the hottest days.
An annual visit to the vet is also advisable to keep an eye on your cat’s health. Take his or her advice on vaccinations, and also flea and worm treatments since indoor cats can still pick them up. Microchipping is a must because there may come a day when your cat escapes from the house. Remind family members to keep windows and doors closed with an indoor-only cat!
Indoor cats can be prone to weight gain if they don’t have enough opportunity to exercise and lead a sedentary life. Obesity makes cats more prone to diseases such as diabetes. Combat this by making an effort to spend time each day playing with your cat using interactive toys, including balls and fishing rod-style toys that he can chase and jump for.
Choose a food that is best suited to your cat’s individual needs. Your vet will be able to advise you on this. There are premium foods designed for indoor-only cats, and you can also buy ‘light’ foods intended for cats with a tendency to put on weight. Bored cats will tend to eat more, so it’s a good idea to add some kibble to treat ball toys, taken out of his daily food ration. It’ll encourage him to play a little more and ‘work’ for his food.
HOW TO SCATTER FEED INDOOR CATS
Another option is to scatter feed — distribute a handful of kibble in a room for him to find. This will help provide interest for him and relieve boredom too. If you feed wet food, do be careful in the hottest of weathers, as the food will become stale quicker. Take it up after your cat has eaten, but if he likes to pick through the day, put dry food down as described above. Be aware also, that cats tend to eat less when it’s hot — and can be lethargic on the hottest days.
An annual visit to the vet is also advisable to keep an eye on your cat’s health. Take his or her advice on vaccinations, and also flea and worm treatments since indoor cats can still pick them up. Microchipping is a must because there may come a day when your cat escapes from the house. Remind family members to keep windows and doors closed with an indoor-only cat!
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