Many people believe cats become fat as a result of spaying or neutering, on the assumption that altering causes them to become lazy. Sure, they may lose interest in fighting for mating rights, but many cats, particularly those that live in multi-cat households, may still want to protect some territory. (The cats at my house still fight and chase as part of their turf battles, but they still enjoy being couch potatoes, too.)

But as responsible guardians, it is our duty to help our furry friends maintain good health and conditioning. Therefore, take note of the following tips to help your kitty stay trim and fit. These tips will also help get your fat cat back into shape, too.

Diet:

Discuss your cat’s dietary needs with your veterinarian, especially if overweight. It may not be advisable to simply cut down on the amount kitty eats. Obese cats, in particular, can develop a fatty liver if deprived of too many calories too quickly. Fatty liver, also known as hepatic lipidosis, is quite often fatal if not caught and treated early.

Try switching to a lower calorie cat food. Make the switch gradually, by adding a little of the new food at first, replacing more and more of the old food with it, until it is completely replaced. Then begin cutting down on the portions, if necessary. This process can take about a week, or several for especially picky eaters. And if you're giving him table scraps as treats, stop it.

Exercise:

In addition to maintaining optimum caloric intake, appropriate for your cat’s size, age and current condition, exercise is crucial. As with people, lack of activity can lead to being overweight and in poor condition. This, then, can lead to some familiar problems, including heart problems, respiratory disease and other breakdowns in normal function.

To get your kitty up off the couch, find a toy he might enjoy chasing or batting at. Engage him in a game of bat-and-chase every day at about the same time. Cats like routine. Begin with 5 minute sessions at first, working up to 15 minutes a day, at least. Soon, he will be asking you to play!

Giving your cat a brisk brushing several times a week can stimulate him to stretch and roll, too, another form of exercise for cats.