As pet owners become more aware of the serious health risks associated with their "fluffy" or overweight friends, they need to know how to treat obesity in cats.

An estimated 57 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And those overweight and obese cats face increased risks for such associated health issues as diabetes mellitus, feline urinary tract infections, kidney and heart disease, high blood pressure and fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis).

If you believe your cat is overweight, the first thing you should do is to have your veterinarian give the cat a thorough examination. The vet can determine if there are any underlying medical conditions or issues that may be causing the obesity. The vet also can explain changing your cat’s diet and how to increase its physical activity. The vet should monitor the weight-loss program to ensure that your cat is losing weight at the appropriate rate.

The proper diet

Ensuring that you are feeding your cat the right food in the proper quantity is key to fighting feline obesity. Changing your cat’s food and feeding schedule can be stressful. It’s usually done incrementally, over a set period of time, and your vet will be able to give you specific instructions based on your cat’s weight, age and other health issues. Your vet also may prescribe a special weight-loss food for your cat.

Some general tips for improving your cat’s diet include:

• No free feeding. With the popularity and ease of dry food for cats, it is common for pet owners to leave a full bowl of dry food out so the cat can eat whenever it wants. Unfortunately, this usually leads to overeating.
• Transition to meal feeding. Give your cat a measured amount of food four to six times a day. Your vet can help you determine how much to give your cat on a daily basis.
• Control your cat’s caloric intake. Your vet will offer guidance on the appropriate daily caloric intake for your cat. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s Web site provides a variety of information about cat food and calories to help you follow your veterinarian’s guidance.
• Eliminate treats. Treats are a source of unnecessary calories.

Physical activity

Physical activity is a key element in how to treat obesity in cats and should be included in any weight-loss program.

Options for increasing your cat’s physical activity include:

• Play. Play with your cat by engaging its predatory instincts with a variety of toys such as wands and feathers. There are also a number of interactive toys available on the market to keep your cat mentally stimulated and physically active.
• Climbing trees. Get a multilevel climbing tree for your cat. The jumping and climbing will benefit your cat in a number of ways.
• Food toys. There are several types of toys, such as plastic balls, that can be filled with dry food kibbles. Be sure the food used in these types of toys is included in your cat’s daily caloric intake count.

Although prevention is always the best medicine, understanding how to treat obesity in cats will enable you to do what is best for your pet. Feline obesity can be successfully treated with the proper food, a feeding schedule and increased physical activity. Always consult with your vet to ensure you’re dealing with your cat’s obesity in a healthy and safe way.