How to keep your Cat Active
Is your kitten steadily gaining weight during the COVID-19 pandemic and there does not seem to be any solution to reduce it? Well you are in for luck because today, we will be going over the methods you can use to get your cat to their healthy weight.
The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Linkage to Weight Gain in Cats
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are gaining weight due to less physical exercise, increased food consumption, and also decreased mental health -mainly because of the lack of socialization. But not only we are impacted by the pandemic, our cats are too. Many may believe that the main reason as to why our pets are gaining weight is because of less exercise, which is partially true. However, the main culprit for weight gain in both cats and dogs are treats. Because we spend more time indoors and with our furry friends, this makes us more inclined to give our pets more treats during the pandemic. In a 2020 report, it states that since the beginning of COVID-19, 33% of pet owners say that their pet became overweight during the pandemic. This is a huge number and knowing the main (potential) causes of obesity of your furry friend during the COVID-19 pandemic -increased consumption of food (especially treats) and decreased exercise- is one of the best ways to prevent this from occurring.
Complications that come along with Obesity in Cats
As important it is to understand the causes of obesity, it is also important to learn about the health effects that obesity can have on your kitten. Cat obesity is important to address because it is associated with risks such as diabetes, liver disease, urinary problems, arthritis, GI diseases, skin problems, lameness, pancreatitis, decreased quality of life, and even an increased possibility of cancer.
How can I get my kitten to lose some of his/her weight? (Part One)
The best way to get your cat to lose some weight during the COVID-19 pandemic is to reduce the amount of treats, table scraps, and cat food you give to your cat. Maintaining a healthy intake of food for your cat is the first step to losing weight and to achieving a healthier lifestyle.
How can I get my kitten to lose some of his/her weight? (Part Two)
Another great way to help your cat lose weight is to get them become more active. Cats especially sleep a lot with an average of about 12-20 hours per day. This is because in the wild, cats would need to sleep in order to conserve their energy to catch their next meal. It is an instinct that domestic cats share so they they are able to prepare for their next hunt. Since cats are strict carnivores -meaning that they eat only meat- and have a strong instinct for hunting and killing their prey, the best way for you to get the attention of your cat is to make your play time with your kitten hunting orientated. Not only will this make them more engaged during their play time but it can also be a form of great exercise. However, be expected for your cat to stop playing a game after a short period of time because after a wild cat stalks its prey for three to five minutes, the cat will give up and look for another potential source of food. This will most likely be true for your kitten as well so if they do lose interest, try switching over to another game for them to play.
What is the best way to play the hunting-orientated games with my kitten?
As I have mentioned before, because your cat has strong hunting instincts, even as a young kitten, it is best to play hunting-orientated games with your kitten. Doing so can also help reduce the amount of wildlife your cat can potentially kill because their hunting needs will be satisfied during playtime. As to how you should play the games, you should try to reenact the toy’s movements as realistically as possible as if it were a real animal. You can also think of it as a game of pretend for your cat. The more realistic you make the game for your kitten, the longer they will be engaged and the more exercise they will get.
How can maintain my cat’s healthy weight?
To maintain your cat’s weight, the best way to ensure this is to make certain that your kitten gets plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise which can be acquired through playtime and to also regulate how much food you give your kitten as well. Performing these two simple tasks can help your cat maintain his/her weight.
I hope that this blog post will be helpful for your cat’s weight loss journey, informed you how to maintain your cat’s healthy weight, and helped you better understand how toys can positively affect your kitten. Thank you for reading this blog and stay safe!
Citations:
[1] “Animal Emergency Center.” My Cat Sleeps Constantly, When Should I Worry? | Memphis Emergency Vet, www.aecmemphis.com/site/vet-blog-memphis/2020/02/13/my-cat-sleeps-constantly-when-should-i-worry.
[2] April Saylor December 15, and April Saylor. “Could COVID-19 Be to Blame for Rise in Pet Obesity?” Daily Paws, 15 Dec. 2020, www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/dog-conditions/coronavirus/pandemic-weight-gain-pets.
[3] Eckstein, Sandy. “Overweight Cats: Diet, Exercise, Toys, and Play Ideas.” WebMD, WebMD, 16 Dec. 2011, pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/fat-cats-getting-tubby-tabby-back-into-shape#1.
[4] “Health Risks for Overweight Cats.” Cherry Hill Animal Hospital, 11 Dec. 2020, cherryhillanimalhospital.com/overweight-or-obese-cats-and-the-risks-to-their-health/#:~:text=Obese%20cats%20are%20at%20a,an%20increased%20possibility%20of%20cancer.
[5] Nutrition, Hill's Pet. New Study Reveals COVID-19 Pandemic Is Fueling Pet Obesity, 15 Dec. 2020, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-reveals-covid-19-pandemic-is-fueling-pet-obesity-301192871.html#:~:text=OVERWEIGHT%20PETS%3A%20EVOLVING%20DURING%20COVID,became%20overweight%20during%20the%20pandemic.