How to make your cat gain muscle? A thin and underfed cat can be a cause of concern. Experts tell us that adult domesticated cats should be around 10 pounds to be in the ideal weight, though this depends on their breed. Having a thin cat is a cause for concern. Being skinny is a clear indication that the cat is underfed and has little nutrients in its body.
On the other hand, simply indiscriminately feeding the cat may cause obesity. Instead, cat owners must ask themselves: “How to make my cat gain muscle?” Through cat muscle gain, your pet may work its way to a healthier weight.
To achieve this, you must learn to be proactive in learning different ways in helping your cat with its diet, exercise, and muscle building. Research online various ways to help your cat be healthy and confirm your findings to your trusted veterinarian. Make sure that you explain to the doctor your concerns properly to know how to help your cat gain muscle.
You can also use the quiz below to find out the best way to make your cat gain muscle.
Is your cat an indoor cat or an outdoor cat?
How old is your cat?
Does your cat exercise regularly?
Do you establish a proper diet for your cat?
Do you spend enough time with your cat?
Has your cat ever been sick?
How long do you expect your cat to have significant muscle gain?
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Table of Contents
How to Help My Cat Gain Muscle
If you’re thinking, “How do I help my cat gain muscle?” Then the first thing you’ll have to assess is your cat’s weight, diet, and exercise regimen. Once you’ve determined that your cat is severely underweight and doesn’t eat properly, you need to bring it immediately to your trusted veterinarian. Having a skinny cat can be caused by various medical conditions that the vet can diagnose.
Keep a notebook where you can write detailed information about your observations of your cat. This can be very useful to the doctor when trying to determine the cause of why your cat is refusing food. One solution the vet may suggest is to make your cat gain muscle.
Cat muscle gain is a tell-tale sign that your cat is not only recovering but is on its way to a healthier body. Healthy and muscular cats have a lower chance of getting kidney disease, bad teeth, or diabetes. All of which can be fatal for a cat.
Cat Muscle Gain: 5 Tips You Need To Know
So what do you do to get that cat muscle gain? Let’s not get our cats in the gym just yet. The real key to helping your cat gain muscle is a lot of patience. Food and exercise are the two main things you have to be mindful of as a pet owner.
Avoid the temptation of feeding your cat as much food as you want. For the most part, cat food is high in starch and carbohydrates that can cause your cats to be obese and deficient in muscle mass. Instead, consider a low-carb and high-protein diet that will allow your cat to be fitter and healthier.
Here are five helpful tips you need to know to help your cat gain muscle. Read and consider these tips as suggestions. You and your vet know your cat the best and would be able to tell which of these tips would apply to your cat.
Tip #1: Choose muscle-building cat food
To help your cat gain muscle, naturally, you need to feed them with muscle-building cat food. This specialized diet will make your cat gain muscles and absorb the necessary nutrients for proper growth.
When choosing cat food, make sure to choose food that has a protein range of 52% to 59% and a fat content of between 22% to 28%. A carnivore diet will allow healthy muscle weight for your cat. Research says that canned food has more protein and fewer carbohydrates than dry food. You can cut back on treats. On the other hand, you can leave some dry kibble to eat all day long.
Tip #2: Exercise your cat
The most obvious tip is to start exercising your cat! Cats can be notoriously lazy at times. One of the best ways to encourage your cat is a multi-tiered cat tower. This will pique their interest in climbing and playing. Give your cats toys they can play with. These toys don’t necessarily have to be expensive. Ping-pong balls or a ball of yarn could be great for cat play.
Engage your cat with other cats as well. Cats are comfortable with a fellow feline playmate. They would be more enthusiastic in their playtime with someone to play with. Unlike dogs, who are usually responsive to invitations to play, cats need more encouragement, so you need to have more patience in this matter.
Tip #3: Feed small, frequent meals
One option to make your cat gain muscle is to feed them small but frequent meals. This technique will increase their level of physical activity that would help develop their body and mind. When offering meals to cats, make sure to add water as well.
Aside from increasing cat muscle gain, this feeding method also helps the cat avoid becoming obese. When cats know that they are to be fed, they tend to be more active because of anticipation. Having frequent meals leverages this behavior and allows them ample physical exercise. The smaller portions of food balance the intake to ensure that the cat does not overfeed.
Tip #4: Play with your cat
It is helpful that you, as a cat owner, find the time to play with your cat. This exercise will help your cat gain muscles. It will not only develop their muscle growth but can contribute to your emotional bond.
Teach your cat to do tricks like shaking hands. This can be considered a form of play. You can also use lasers for your cat to chase. Toys and props such as cardboard boxes and cat towers can also help when you play with your cat. Find new ways to play with your cat. Smartphone apps have various fun cat apps that can be interactive and fun for a cat to play with.
This is to increase your cat’s physical activity. It also encourages bonding with you. A cat comfortable with its owner is more likely to be healthy. Being physically and mentally secure and safe is very important for a pet’s life.
Tip #5: Take your cat to the vet
Of course, taking on a task such as making your cat gain muscle will benefit from professional guidance. If you feel that your cat is not eating well and is noticeably skinny and underweight, it’s always a great idea to bring it directly to the vet.
Aside from giving a general check-up, veterinarians can act as nutritionists, providing you with a detailed set of dietary suggestions specific to your cat. They can also confirm most tips and advice you learned online such as the proper way of feeding and exercising your cat.
Veterinarians are always focused on providing the best possible health for your cat. What you spend on a check-up with the vet can always be considered money well spent as an investment for the well-being of your pet cat.
Conclusion
Every pet owner will always want the best for their pet. Having a skinny cat can be very troubling, especially for first-time cat owners. You must know that having cat muscle gain would enable your cat to avoid diseases or health conditions. If you have a thin pet cat, you must think: “How can I make my cat gain muscle? How can I help my cat gain muscle?” The quick answer is by properly feeding them, exercising them, and taking them to the veterinarian. As a cat owner, you are responsible for helping your cat reach its best health. Just like people, cats need encouragement and love when building their bodies. While they can not speak our language, there is a chance they can understand our affection if we provide them with the best care possible.
