Nutritional Consultations

Many cats are overweight and not only is this physically stressful on the joints, it can also lead to serious medical conditions, such as Diabetes. Weight loss in cats should be done carefully because too-rapid weight loss can lead to Fatty Liver Disease. Cats need to lose weight gradually.

Is my cat fat?

If you aren’t sure if your cat is fat, then you should do a body condition score check on your cat. The body condition score (or BCS) is a good way to evaluate your cat’s physical condition. The score is a grade ranging from 1 to 5. A BCS of 3.0 means that your cat is at an ideal weight, anything lower than a 3.0 is too thin and anything greater than a 3.0 is too heavy. Every time you bring your cat into the hospital, the veterinarian assesses your cat’s body condition score. Please ask us how to perform a body condition score at home on your cat.

How can my cat lose weight?

The biggest mistake that pet owners make is just leaving a big bowl of food out for the cat to eat whenever the mood strikes. It is better to feed your cat at a scheduled feeding time (i.e., breakfast and dinner). Not only does this help control calorie intake, it also helps monitor your cat’s appetite. One of the first indications of illness is a decrease in appetite. Decreasing the number of treats is quite helpful for weight loss as well. Although the treats may seem small, so is your cat! Giving four or five treats at a time is like giving four or five chocolate bars to an adult person.

What is offered in nutritional consultation?

Our clinic is proud to offer a weight loss program for your cat. The program allows us to closely monitor your cat’s weight loss and makes adjustments to the feeding amounts as the cat’s weight decreases. It is an easy and controlled method for your cat to safely lose weight. All that we require is a committed owner and the program is free! The only cost associated with the weight loss program is the cost of food which is minimal. Our technicians are available for consultation when needed and can offer tips to make the weight loss journey easier for you and your cat!