Because indoor cats tend to have a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, you may find yourself with an overweight cat.

Typically, weight gain occurs when your cat eats too much, or in some cases, has a medical condition. If you notice your kitty is putting on pounds, contact your veterinarian right away to rule out illness or even pregnancy.

Once you determine that your cat does not have any underlying health issues you and your vet can create a wellness program for her that helps her maintain or reach a healthy weight. Doing so may reduce her chances of developing diabetes or arthritis and even increase her lifespan. A healthy cat is a happy cat.

Her larger girth may creep up on you, and you may not even realize it until her yearly vet checkup. But don't fear, you don't have to install a kitty home gym to create a healthier lifestyle for your cat!

Meal Plans

Before focusing on an exercise program, retool her meals. It's not easy to keep an eye on your cat's activity level when you're away from home, but you can monitor her food intake. Pay close attention to how much she eats each day to figure out if she's eating too much and when. Then, chat with your vet about how much she should be eating based on her age and size.

If she's already over the limit of the recommended amount of cat food per day, it's time to take action. Weight loss in cats is most successful by establishing a healthy, veterinarian-approved reduction in food that takes place gradually over the course of a few weeks. No crash diets! You may find that it's time to transition your furry friend to a cat food formulated for weight loss that helps her reach and maintain her goal.

Activities

Diet alone won't result in weight loss for cats. Exercise matters for helping her lose weight. Just like their human pet parents, cats benefit from a balanced combination of healthy meals and regular activity. Exercising a cat can be difficult, but it's not impossible. She most likely won't take up the treadmill or swim laps with you, but she can use her precious "awake" time to engage in stimulating games that help maintain a healthy weight. There are many options for cute DIY cat toys out there, too, so you don't even have to invest in any expensive equipment.

As with her new meal plan, gradually introduce your overweight cat to her new exercising regimen, as the rigor of a "too much too soon" approach could lead to injury. Because cats retain a strong predator instinct and love to hunt, a gentle game to get her moving is to give her something to chase, maybe a crumpled up piece of paper or a bouncy ball. Just make sure it is not small enough that she could swallow and choke on it.

To really get her hunting instinct going, allow your cat to hunt her own food, just like her wild ancestors. You can hide pieces of food or cat treats throughout the house and watch her stalk her prey. Be sure to vary the heights to get her jumping and climbing — this could include using stairs or a cat tree. More movement, means more calories being burned, just remember where you hid the pieces of food in case she misses a piece. You don't want her to find an old piece of kibble a couple of weeks later that has been sitting out.

For the times when you aren't at home, leave out her toys for solitary play, and set up the house for cat-only playtime by giving her a scratching post, an exercise wheel, or a cat tree to climb. Even keeping the blinds or curtains open during the day to provide her with a clear view of birds, squirrels, or neighborhood dogs will kick her instincts into high gear, and she'll be charging from window to window in no time.

A bonus? Your bond with your kitty with strengthen as you play and enjoy activities together to help her achieve a healthy lifestyle. Cats may seem like independent creatures that have it all figured out, but they rely on you to keep them healthy and happy a lot more than you think. Paying special attention to your cat's weight and overall health can help her lead a much healthier life for years to come.

Christine O'Brien Christine O'Brien

Christine O'Brien is a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent whose two Russian Blues rule the house. Her work also appears in Care.com, What to Expect, and Fit Pregnancy, where she writes about pets, pregnancy, and family life. Find and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @brovelliobrien.

Related articles

Understanding the Basics of How to Build a Catio | Hill's Pet

Want to learn how to build a catio? Get started with DIY cat enclosure basics, including what to consider and how a catio can benefit your cat.

The Most Common Poisonous Plants to Cats

Learn about common houseplants that can be dangerous or poisonous to cats. Get tips on how to keep your cat safe around houseplants.

Cat Kidney Health: What You Need to Know

Cat obesity is a significant problem - learn more about helping your cat become trimmer and healthier through improved nutrition.

Cat Life Hacks: Making Life Easier for You and Your Cat

Has your cat care routine gotten stale? Spice it up with these helpful cat life hacks, including tips to help manage cat hair, scratching & litter boxes.

Preparing Your Cat for a New Baby

Learn how your cat's behavior might change if you bring a newborn baby into the home and how you can keep both baby and cat safe.

Six Ways to Socialize Your New Cat

Socializing a cat into a new home takes patience and love. Discover these cat socialization tips to help an adopted cat adjust to her family.

What Is FIV in Cats?

Learn important information about FIV in cats, including common symptoms, how it's diagnosed, and management options for cats that have it.

Choosing the Right Food for Your Senior Cat

Senior cats over age 7 have different nutritional needs than younger cats. Learn what to look for when choosing a food for older and aging felines.

Cat Ear Emotions: How Cat Ears Move With Their Mood

Learn how your cat's ear language and movements can show you their underlying emotions, including what a variety of different positions mean.

Tips for Managing Your Cat's Kidney Disease

Understand the importance that kidneys play in your cat's health, and know how to spot the warning signs of kidney disease.

Can Cats Have Down Syndrome?

Learn about special needs cats and whether strange behaviors or physical characteristics might mean they have down syndrome.

Cats and Fireworks: How to Keep Your Cat Calm

Is your cat afraid of fireworks? Cats and fireworks aren't always a good pair. Here's how to tell if your kitty is stressed and how to keep them calm.

Fun DIY Beds for Your Cat

Learn how to create four different DIY cat beds that will provide your furry friend with a cozy space of her own & won't break your bank!

Heart Disease in Your Cat: How Nutrition Can Help

Heart diseases can manifest in cats similar to humans, so it is important to catch the warning signs early and consult your vet. Learn more now.

Using Your Kid's Old Toys as Homemade Cat Toys

Learn how to turn your surplus of old children's toys into repurposed cat toys, entertaining your cat for hours and saving you money.

Cat Dry Nose: When to Be Concerned

Learn the reasons why your cat's nose may be dry and whether it might be a sign of a larger concerning issue or a common symptom of something smaller.

Cat Aggression: How to Calm Them Down

Learn how to identify causes of aggression in your cat, how you can help calm them down or diffuse an aggressive situation, and when a vet visit is needed.

Important Information on FLUTD & Urinary Tract Infections in Cats

If your cat if struggling to use the litter box it might be a symptom of a larger issue - urinary tract disease. Learn the signs and treatment options now.

Cat Arthritis: Signs, Causes and Treatment

Get the answers to your questions about cat arthritis here, from signs of arthritis in cats to treatment for feline arthritis.

Cat Frostbite: Clinical Signs and Prevention

Concerned about cat frostbite? Read on to learn more about the clinical signs and what to do if you suspect that your cat might have it.