50 Times Animals Goofed Around And Ended Up Requiring Human Assistance (New Pics)

“I strongly encourage cat owners to weigh the food using a kitchen scale. We've done experiments with cat owners and veterinary professionals and have consistently observed that using a measuring cup isn't as accurate as needed to achieve weight loss in many cases,” he told us.

“Even feeding as few as ten extra kibbles each day can add up to a pound of weight gain in a year for a cat. Once you get the hang of it, weighing the food takes no more time than using a measuring cup. Finally, work with your vet to adjust the diet or calories every three months if your cat isn't losing weight,” the specialist encouraged pet owners to work closely with their vets.

“I've seen too many cats who were being fed the same food for months without losing weight. When I ask them why, the pet parent shrugs, ‘I'm feeding the special food my vet prescribed.’ Weight loss is a journey with many unexpected turns and hills; you must stay alert and be willing to take a different path if you're not reaching your objective,” he said that owners have a responsibility to be more aware of what’s going on.

In Dr. Ward’s experience, all cats really need is 3 play sessions, each 5 minutes long, each day, to stay fit. You can use laser pointers, feather dusters, or bring a new cardboard box to keep them engaged.

“I also like using ‘hunter feeders’ and food puzzles to engage a cat's ‘inner predator.’ Use vertical surfaces, climbing towers, and other perches to allow your cat to climb and ‘stalk’ as much as possible. Environmental enrichment and exercise are essential for emotional and behavioral health as well as maintaining a lean body mass,” he suggested.

Though staying slim might help your pets avoid getting stuck in some cases, it won't protect them all the time: after all, they're still bound to be curious, playful, and sometimes even clumsy!