Evanger's #GetPetHealthy Question of the Week: Cat Weight Management

Every week we have a contest on our Facebook page and invite Evanger's feeders to ask a nutrition question about their pet. Our certified On-Staff Nutritionist picks one question to weigh in on. Here are this week's question and answer.


Question from Lorri Garelick Langmaid: 
If our cat is 6 yrs. old, how much should he be eating a day? Right now he's overweight weighs about 20 pounds. Trying to cut back on his eating but he seems like he's always hungry. So I don't know how much to feed him or if giving him treats in between would help. He is a short haired domestic.

Answer: 
You will want to be certain that your cat's weight gain is not related to other health issues. Some overweight or obese cats are diabetic or suffer from a malfunctioning thyroid gland, for instance. So the first step in your cat's weight loss protocol is a trip to your veterinarian for a complete physical.


If your cat is sick, we can help you meet the veterinarian's dietary guidelines.


But if the cat is healthy, you have lots of feeding options. This would be a good time to switch to a higher quality kibble, so try feeding the Evanger's Meat Lovers Medley dry food.


Take a look at the feeding instructions for your cat's IDEAL WEIGHT listed on the bag. Reduce that amount by one third.


Add about one teaspoon of Evanger's additive free canned Hunk of Beef to each meal, mixed with the kibble. (This 13-oz canned pot roast is labeled for dogs, but cats thrive on it as well.)


Dieting cats feel more full if their daily intake is divided into multiple small meals, so try to feed three times a day.


And that's it. Cats don't need treats, so don't feed anything else.


When the cat's weight reaches the desired level, contact this site again and we can work up a more permanent weight maintenance diet.

Thanks for sharing your question! We host a #GetPetHealthy Question of the Week every Thursday on our Facebook page. The winner receiving a FREE bag of JERKY TREATS, so check in on Thursdays at http://www.facebook.com/Evangers

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