My cat as an incentive!
 

One of my cats, Mijo, was a little bit over-weight, and part of it was my fault! Anytime I went to the kitchen for a snack, he would snack at his food as well. Now that I have been doing less of that, and since we both started exercising (got the kitties a Cat Dancer) I have lost almost 20 lbs. and he has lost about 1 lb. and is now in the proper weight range for his size.

Anyone else that has a pet that likes to eat when you do?

You have to tell me what a cat dancer is!!

It's basically a few heavy paper twists on the end of a wire, with another one at the top for you to hang on to. It's VERY simple, and who ever came up with it must be making a mint, lol.

They run less than $3 at most pet stores, but not everyone carries them, so look around. I got mine at Pet Smart. I have kept one in stock (except recently, hence the chubby kitties) since I discovered them with my first cat when I was 14.

If you leave it hanging from in between a door-jam or from a closed drawer, making sure there is lots of floor-space around it, they will play with it even if you are not on the other end. Mijo lost most of his pound because he loves it so much that he spends at least an hour a day batting at the thing!

Oh, my kitty does this too! Every time we go to the kitchen he does too, and will munch a little bit.

Lol, it really does make you think twice about that trip to the fridge, doesn't it?