FELINE OBESITY – A MAJOR PROBLEM OF PET CATS
A cat is considered overweight when it weighs 10-20% more than its ideal body weight, and obese when excess fat is more than 20% above its ideal body weight. Feline obesity is a very common disease, occurring in up to 63% of cats in developed countries.
Being overweight poses significant health risks to your pet, which can include a weakened immune system, endocrine and metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Middle-aged (8-12 years old), neutered, indoor-only or primarily indoor cats tend to be more at risk for becoming obese. Diet and feeding strategies are important for weight management.
Symptoms of Obesity in Cats
Besides visible weight gain, symptoms of obesity include:
- Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
- Sitting or lying down more and showing an unwillingness to get up and move around
- Loss of a visible waistline
- Inability for pet parent to feel rib bones or hip bones
- Looking down from above, your cat’s back appears flat and/or cat profile looks rectangular
- Dirty, messy, unkempt hair coat
- Collar keeps getting tighter
- Less frequent bowel movements and/or more passing of gas
What symptoms can you look out for (as a layperson) to determine if your cat is overweight or obese?
- Know the average weight of your cat and check it regularly. Depending on the breed, the average weight will differ. Most cats lie in the 9-12 pounds range. But big cats like Maine Coons can weigh as much as 25 lbs.
- Check their physical activity levels. Cats are generally playful and physically active. If your cat is not interested in play and wants to lie down all day and night, there could be an underlying problem.
- Stroke the cat around the belly and rib areas; you should feel the ribs. If you cannot, the cat is probably overweight.
- Take a look at your cat’s body profile. If you cannot see a distinct waistline from above, or if you notice a swinging pouch near the hind legs, the cat could be overweight.
- Look at the cat’s fur, especially at the backside.Is it neat, or can you see greasy patches, matted hair, and flaky skin? If it is the latter, your cat cannot reach that part of her body and self groom due to excess weight.
Causes of Obesity in Cats
The reasons for obesity in cats can be broken down into two categories: animal-specific factors and diet-specific factors.
Animal-specific factors
- Age: Middle-aged cats 8-12 years old are more likely to be overweight than younger or elderly cats.
- Neutered: Male and female neutered cats tend to have a stronger appetite than unneutered cats.
- Environment: Indoor cats, or cats with restricted outdoor access, are more commonly overweight because of greater inactivity with fewer opportunities for exercise to burn calories.
- Underlying health conditions: Food allergies can make selecting the best kind of food for weight management a challenge. Joint discomfort and arthritis can reduce mobility, and therefore energy use, increasing the risk of weight gain.
Diet-specific factors
- Type of diet: Feeding a diet of mostly dry food tends to promote weight gain in cats more so than a diet solely or primarily consisting of canned food.
- Inaccurate food measurement: It is important to be consistent with food, and to use a scoop with a known measure (e.g., a ¼-cup measuring cup vs. a plastic cup) and feed out of a bowl size that is appropriate for measured food offered. Without these tools, the risk of over feeding a cat is more likely.
- Rapid food consumption: If your pet eats too quickly, this can lead to boredom, crying and begging, which results in feeding your cat more food off schedule to keep him entertained and quiet.
- Indulgent feeding practices: Feeding one or two large meals in the day may increase risk of obesity and begging in your cat compared to using free choice feeding or feeding small, frequent meals.
- Excessive treats: Treats tend to be higher in fat and calories than a cat’s regular diet, so offering too many treats throughout the day quickly increases the total calories offered and can create a nutritionally unbalanced diet.
Risks from Feline Obesity
Many people do not realize that extra weight on a cat should be taken very seriously. Humans may gain five or ten pounds without noticing any problems. But, when they see just a pound or two of weight on a cat, they don’t think that such a small amount of weight is something to worry about.
However, because cats are much smaller than people, even just two pounds of extra weight on a cat that only weighs ten pounds is a lot of extra mass. For comparison, if you weighed 160 pounds, adding the same comparative amount would put you at 190 pounds! That’s a big difference, and it would affect everything you did.
Obesity in cats can lead to:
- Chronic joint problems. The pressure from the extra weight can accelerate the progress of arthritis and degenerative joint illnesses.
- Cats can develop insulin resistance, and weight is a major factor in whether or not your cat will get this disease.
- Liver failure. Extra fat deposits in the liver make it harder for the liver itself to work well.
If you are not sure if your cat is overweight (in some larger breeds, it can be hard for you to tell if your cat is simply big or if they are overweight), contact your vet to do an assessment.
Treatment of Obesity in Cats
It is also important for you to provide your veterinarian with an accurate description of your cat’s environment and the food provided, including all types of food offered, amounts (by weight or measured scoop), and times fed, so that an appropriate weight loss plan can be developed.
Based on your cat’s health, your veterinarian will first calculate an appropriate target goal for calories fed per day to promote weight loss and then work with you to employ several strategies to tackle your cat’s obese condition:
- Calorie-restricted foods: Most often a calorie-controlled food will be recommended to promote weight loss but maintain lean muscle mass. Low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets with higher protein and insoluble fiber are generally recommended to promote feeling full.
- Dry vs. canned diet: It may be necessary to switch from a dry to a canned diet to best achieve nutrient goals. Remember to never leave moist food out at room temperature for more than 2-4 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Additionally, it is important to thoroughly wash these dishes with warm soapy water between feedings.
- Prescription veterinary diets: “Metabolic-control” prescription veterinary diets may further help to promote weight loss because these diets aim to induce ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose from carbohydrates, rather than a total reduction in calorie intake.
Remember that if you are changing your cat’s food type, it is important to slowly transition to the new diet over 7-10 days to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
Once a diet is selected, your veterinarian will determine how much food to feed daily based on the caloric goal for weight loss. It is important that you accurately measure how much food is offered per day to meet that caloric goal and stay consistent. Weighing the food on a gram scale is the most accurate means of measurement. Using a specific volume measuring cup is the second-best way to ensure an accurate measure.
Preventing and Managing Cat Obesity
Preventing cat obesity is easier than managing it. Ensuring a well-balanced diet and appropriate portion control, along with regular exercise and playtime, is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. Consider using interactive toys and puzzles to engage your cat’s mind and encourage physical activity.
If your cat is already overweight, consult a veterinarian to create a personalized weight management plan. Gradual weight loss is safer and more effective than rapid reduction. The plan may include a combination of dietary adjustments, portion control, and increased activity levels.
Preventing obesity in cats is largely about maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring regular exercise. Here are some key things that pet owners can do:
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Your cat’s diet should consist of high-quality cat food that provides the nutrients necessary for a cat’s health. It’s important to understand the nutritional needs of cats, which are obligate carnivores and require a diet high in protein. Portion control is crucial because even small overfeeding can lead to weight gain over time. Consult your vet about the appropriate quantity and type of food for your cat.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps cats burn calories and can aid in weight management. This might include climbing a cat tree, chasing a toy mouse or feather wand, or playing with balls. Rotate toys to keep your cat interested, and aim for about 15-30 minutes of playtime daily. Cats are often more active during dawn and dusk, so consider incorporating playtimes during these periods.
- Monitor Weight: Monitoring your cat’s weight lets you catch any increases early and adjust their diet or exercise routine accordingly. Consider getting a pet or a baby scale to weigh your cat at home.
- Controlled Feeding: Providing your cat with measured meals at set times throughout the day can help control their calorie intake. This method can also make it easier to spot changes in appetite, which can indicate other health issues.
- Regular Vet Check-ups: Regular vet visits are essential for maintaining your cat’s health. Your vet can monitor your cat’s weight, provide advice on feeding, and check for any health issues that could contribute to weight gain.
- Provide Mental Stimulation: Mental stimulation can help deter overeating due to boredom. Provide your cat with puzzles and interactive toys, or even consider clicker training.
- Educate Yourself: It’s essential to understand the risks associated with feline obesity, such as diabetes, arthritis, urinary issues, and reduced lifespan. Also, familiarize yourself with body condition scoring charts to help visually assess your cat’s weight at home.
- Manage Underlying Conditions: Some medical conditions, like hypothyroidism, can predispose your catto weight gain. If your cat has a medical condition, work closely with your vet to manage the disease and keep your cat’s weight in check.
- Healthy Snacking: If you give your cat treats, ensure they’re healthy and factor into your cat’s daily calorie intake. Avoid giving them scraps from the table or human food, as many foods can be toxic to cats and contribute to weight gain.
- Environment Enrichment: Cats are natural hunters. Simulating this behavior can help keep your cat physically active and mentally stimulated. Try hiding small portions of their food around the house for them to “hunt.”
Remember, maintaining a healthy weight can contribute significantly to your cat’s overall well-being and longevity. It may require some effort and time, but the health benefits for your cat are well worth it.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
