Cat Weight Loss.

The challenge of slimming Sophie.

When anyone asks if I'm a cat person or a dog person, I have great pleasure in saying I'm both! I love to go walking with our dogs Max and Rosie but I always enjoy coming home to the comfort of my cats Sophie and Tom.

Independence and individuality are feline trademarks and let's face it, it's why most of us love them, admire them and welcome them as members of the family. In my many years as a cat owner I have welcomed a wealth of cat characters into our home and Sophie and Tom are the latest to test my patience, inspire laughter and bring sheer joy. Having a career that involves sharing information and advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle means having to practice what I preach. My husband Mike is, thankfully, right beside me on this. The dogs are a pretty fit pair too but when it comes to the cats, you are looking at chalk and cheese! Tom is stealth personified while Sophie is sloth on legs. And that's pretty stumpy legs too! If there's one 'person' who would give my hip and thigh diet a miss - it's Sophie, my beautiful British Blue.

Sophie's added ounces crept up  on her while no one was looking. She has always liked her food but it was when she started to help herself to Tom's leftovers that the podge started to pile on. My long-suffering vet, John Borajo, warned me that Sophie had no choice - treats and extra portions were off the menu. It was made clear to me that without acting now we could be storing up trouble for Sophie. If you have a Sophie at home then I empathize entirely as I do know how difficult it can be to control a food lover's eating habits, especially when there is another cat in the house. Feeding times can easily become a battle of wits and supervising meals and denying treats can leave you feeling very guilty. But cruel to be kind is THE only way. Believe me.

Tips to follow.
As I continue to help Sophie find her way to sylph-like proportions through sensible portions
I bear in mind the following tips:

Take a good honest look at your cat. Are you looking at a podgy moggy? If so, make an appointment with your vet. After your cat's weigh-in you will be given a portion of good dietary advice to take way.

Take the good advice! If your cat is classed as clinically obese, don't take it personally. Identifying the problem is the first step to solving the problem. Accept the fact that your cat is overweight and follow your vet's advice.

Take the daily portion of food and divide it into little and often meals. Splitting the recommended daily intake into smaller helpings will help your cat adjust to gaps between meals and it will make you feel less guilty if you have something to offer when they go into full-on Oscar performance begging.

Take control at mealtimes, especially if you have more than one cat to feed. Feed separately or stand guard! If the non-slimmer is in danger of losing their meal to the greedy one it might be best to serve up in separate rooms. That way the other cat is not intimidated, the slimmer is not led into temptation and you are not the reluctant referee.

Give treats a miss or keep to a minimum and replace with extra attention. Old habits will ruin a new diet plan.

Be strong! Don't give in to the gaze of imploring eyes and pathetic meowing. Stick to the guidelines offered by your vet and don't weaken. Everyone will feel the benefit of your willpower especially your calorie-controlled cat!

Get them active! Play with your cat with a toy mouse on a string or even just a piece of ribbon pulled across the floor for them to chase. It all helps to burn calories just as exercise helps us to stay trim.
Sophie is a challenge for me so I do understand anyone who is in the same situation. All I can say is keep in mind what's best for your cat. I want to see Sophie have a long, happy and healthy life so shedding the pounds is the way ahead. Good luck!

_{source Your Cat Mag.}