Being overweight puts a cat at risk for developing many serious health issues. Weight gain indicates an increase in body fat and usually results when your cat eats too much and exercises too little.
Other factors that may impact your cat's weight gain include:
- Age - older cats are less active, have less energy, and require fewer calories
- Neutering/Spaying - studies have shown that neutered cats have a lower basic metabolism and, consequently, require fewer calories
- Medical Problems - sometimes weight gain is associated with a medical disorder
Every cat has an ideal weight for its size and breed. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation or use this Interactive Weight Check tool to help determine your cat's ideal weight.
What can you do?
- Get with the program. If your cat is already overweight, a program like the
Tasty Tips
;Hill's PetFit™ Challenge can help. It's a complete plan of action - with tools and expert information - for optimizing your cat's weight. An active, healthy and happy life is the greatest gift you can give your best friend!
- Talk to your veterinarian. Take your cat for a thorough examination and health check. Ask your vet to recommend an ideal weight for your cat and tips for achieving that goal.
- Get active. Cats gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn. Increase your cat's physical activity.
- Curb treats and snacks. The calories in treats and snacks can really add up. See the impact of those "little extras" with the Hill's PetFit™ Treat Translator. Reward your cat with non-edible treats, like a belly rub or a few minutes of playtime.
- Feed a lighter formula. The most effective way of achieving a healthy weight is to combine increased exercise with a change in food. Consider switching to a high quality food made just for cats that are too heavy or are prone to weight gain.
Related products
Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life.
Kitten Food
Tender chicken chunks in gravy for kittens, with omega-3s for healthy eye & brain development and high-quality protein to support muscle growth. With balanced minerals to promote strong bones & teeth.
Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult cat food with egg & insect protein is a complete pet food for adult cat 1–6 years old. It's formulated for cats with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan HAIRBALL & PERFECT COAT Adult cat food with Chicken is specially formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential Omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
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Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.