Your cat needs to maintain an ideal body weight in order to thrive, though gaining weight can sometimes be challenging for thin cats. There are various strategies you can employ in order to increase appetite.
Start by making sure they’re getting enough water – Yoda refuses to drink day-old water, so make sure their bowl always contains fresh, clean water.
Change Their Diet
Your cat’s diet plays an integral part in their weight gain or loss, and should include more calories than they’re expending to achieve this. Sometimes this could simply mean switching food brands; other times it could require consulting your veterinarian in order to establish how many calories your feline should be consuming daily and what amounts are currently consumed by him or her.
Changes to your cat’s food may help them eat more. For instance, adding in wet food or small portions of boiled chicken and eggs can add extra nutrition and variety while creating new flavors in their diet. It is best to implement changes gradually so as not to upset their stomachs.
Some cats require a permanent diet change in order to gain weight, such as due to diabetes, which prevents their body from turning sugar into energy and leads them to shed much of it as a result of this condition. They will need high-calorie food in order to re-gain it.
At times, cat’s hunger may be related to their environment or mental state – for instance boredom, anxiety or grief may all trigger increased hunger in felines. When this occurs it’s essential to try and address its source so your cat will return to eating normally again; perhaps play or petting may help encourage this behaviour by getting them closer to food before and after each meal – or simply playing and petting your cat prior to feeding times to tempt them back towards eating!
Other cats may be able to regain weight simply by increasing the amount of food they eat on a daily basis, although in some instances your vet may suggest food specifically designed for weight gain to ensure that it contains the appropriate calories and nutrition content.
Increase Activity
Step one of fattening up a skinny cat involves making sure that any medical issues have been ruled out and addressed; speaking to your veterinarian will assist in this regard and may lead to an appropriate plan if any treatments are required.
If nothing seems amiss, there are various methods you can try to get your cat to gain weight. One way is simply increasing their food intake gradually to prevent digestive upset; an alternative option could be changing up their type of diet; veterinarian recommended foods with higher caloric values may work best but always introduce any new diet gradually; mix a small percentage into their normal food for 10-14 days as an introduction step.
Add extra sources of calories with wet food, which may often be more palatable when heated to increase its smelliness. Furthermore, some canned goods contain fish oil for increased nutrition value.
Finally, it is crucial that your cat receives sufficient exercise. Without enough physical activity, appetite will decline and weight loss may ensue. There are some easy things you can do to increase their activity level such as providing them with toys to play with regularly and placing their food bowl in an accessible spot so they won’t have to travel out of their way for meals.
If none of these strategies work, consulting your veterinarian about appetite stimulants could be beneficial. They are typically prescribed only by vets, and should only be used if your cat is at risk of losing too much weight or has gone more than 24 hours without eating. Anxiety-inducing stimuli like loud noises may also inhibit eating patterns; for this reason it is important to provide them with a quiet place and ensure their food won’t be exposed to other animals or people before encouraging them to return.
Change Their Feeding Schedule
There are various methods you can employ to help your cat gain weight through food or feeding changes. First, ensure the quality and quantity of their diet matches their dietary requirements – if unsure or any queries regarding specifics please speak with your vet directly. You could also try including fish oil supplements as an additional calorie source and source of healthy omega fatty acids – providing another effective means of increasing calorie consumption while supporting their wellbeing at the same time!
When changing a cat’s diet, it is essential that it is done gradually to prevent digestive upsets. You can do this by mixing both old and new food for several days at once or gradually decreasing how much of each current food they receive while gradually increasing how much of each new food they get each day – this may take some time as your cat adjusts, but ultimately this process can help them gain weight faster!
One effective strategy for increasing your cat’s calories is adding high-calorie treats like canned tuna or chicken broth to their meal, such as tuna cans. This will provide additional energy and protein which they’ll need in order to gain weight more rapidly. But please remember that these treats should only be given temporarily and should never replace regular prepared meals without consulting with your veterinarian first.
Your cat could benefit from having their food bowl placed more conveniently, like on a higher surface. Also, make sure you provide smaller meals more frequently throughout the day than large meals in order to prevent your cat from overeating and keep their stomachs satisfied throughout the day. Try placing their food inside their crate or on a table as an incentive; cats tend to be very particular about where their bowls go! For best results, use non-plastic dishes when encouraging eating more.
Consult Your Vet
If your cat has been losing weight recently, it is wise to consult a veterinarian prior to making changes to its diet. They can offer strategies to get them eating more while also diagnosing any serious medical conditions which might be the source of its weight loss.
If your cat has stopped eating altogether, your vet may suggest adding fish oil supplements as a nutritional boost and source of calories to their food. In addition, these supplements come in both liquid and gel formats so they’re easy to mix into their meal.
Your vet can also help you select appropriate portion sizes to promote weight gain in your cat. In general, to increase their bodyweight by 20% more calories than they consume daily.
Your veterinarian will also be able to suggest the ideal type of food for your cat. This is particularly important given that some foods contain more calories than others and you need to ensure the one you select provides enough nourishment for healthy living.
If your cat is having difficulty eating, try not to hover while they eat; rather encourage them by offering small amounts at various points throughout the day – this may especially help cats who experience anxiety or digestive issues when it comes to feeding time.
If your cat refuses to eat on its own, speak to a vet about prescription appetite stimulants. These come either in pill form or transdermal formulas that can be applied directly onto skin or gums; both usually work within an hour after administration! Supplements like this could truly save a skinny feline!