So, you’ve just been told by your veterinarian that your cat needs to lose a few pounds. The tough part is “your kitty likes food,” so he’s probably going to be upset when you feed him less.  The better part is “your kitty likes food,” so he can easily learn a fun way to exercise to help burn off the calories.  We call it Kitty Recall – otherwise known as “Here, Kitty Kitty!”  Here’s how it works:

Your vet will probably recommend you switch from free-feeding to a measured serving once or twice a day.  Pour part of your cat’s serving in the bowl then take out a portion of it and put it in your pocket.  This, of course, assumes you are feeding dry food.  Then, at several intervals during the day, let your cat smell a few pieces of food in your hand and head for a hallway or a large room and stand still.  When your cat comes to you to get a piece of the food say, “Good!” or “Yes!”; then immediately toss the piece of food so he can see it roll across the floor.  When he gets it and returns to you for another, repeat your word “Good!” or “Yes!” and toss another piece of food across the floor for him to get.  Keep repeating the same word and a food toss each time he comes to your side.  If he loves his food as much as you think, he’ll learn to pick the piece of food up and come running back to you for another. 

Once he’s repeating the pattern without hesitation, you can add a cue, something like “Henry!” or “Come!” or “Here!” Insert the word in the pattern just before he comes running back to you.  So the new pattern is:

1. Cat arrives at your side.
2. “Good!” immediately followed by food toss.
3. Cat gets the food, turns…
4. “Here, Henry!”
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4.

Finally, start tossing the food farther or in more challenging areas, and make this game happen spontaneously during the day.  Eventually, your cat will come running to you whenever you say “Here, Henry!” and you’ll get to play a fun game to help him shed those extra pounds.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of admissions and behavior services at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

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