I’ve been trying to help my overweight cat lose a couple of pounds, but even after reducing her food intake, the scale hasn’t budged much. At a recent appointment, my vet told me that the feeding guidelines on pet food bags are often intended for intact (not spayed/neutered) animals, which can explain why pets remain overweight even when their owners follow the bag’s instructions.

I did a little digging and found this information from Tufts University. It’s important to consider your pet’s age, body condition, activity level, and whether he/she is intact when determining how much to feed. Kibble also generally contains more carbs than wet food, which can contribute to fat accumulation (especially in older pets). The information on the bag is only a starting point!