Maintaining your cat's weight with healthy cat treats

After my cat, Kyra, started gaining weight my vet suggested I start looking

for healthy cat treats, which are great for cats that need to lose a few pounds.

The vet and I discussed Kyra’s eating habits, the food I fed, and her activity

levels. When the vet could find no medical reason for the weight gain, she

suggested that the high calorie treats I was feeding Kyra may be the culprit!

Cat treats can be used as an effective way to train or reward your cat, but

should be fed in moderation, and with an understanding of the ingredients

Like anything you feed your cat, you need to diligently read the labels! Many

cat treats on the market today are full of unhealthy fats and carbohydrates

that contribute to weight gain and overall poor health in many felines. A

healthy cat treat should have a high protein content, moderate fat content

and low fiber / carbohydrate counts. Using this information, you can compare

labels and find a lower calorie cat treat that has the right concentration of

fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

If you are trying to train or reward a cat and do not want to cut back on the positive reinforcement, try feeding the cat his or her normal food just a bit less per day. After speaking with your vet and reading your cat food labels, you should be able to come up with your cat’s daily recommended caloric intake. With this in mind, you can substitute treats for food calories, and not cause weight gain.

I am happy to report that by switching Krya to a lower calorie cat treat to lower and maintain her weight; I have not had to change the amount of treats she receives each day. Kyra is losing the extra weight she had gained & still enjoying her cat treats!