It’s Happy, Healthy Cat Month, and we’re looking at some of the top health concerns our feline friends face! Unfortunately, feline obesity is a growing concern. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what cat obesity is, the causes, and how to get your cat back to a healthy weight.
What Is Cat Obesity?
Just like people, every cat’s ideal body size will vary. The ideal weight for cats is based on their breed, age, and sex. As a general guideline, a cat is considered overweight when it weighs 10-20% more than its ideal body weight. Obesity occurs at more than 20% above the ideal body weight.
For example, a female Siamese cat weighs around 8 pounds. Therefore, they would be considered obese at 9.5 pounds. On the other hand, a healthy male Maine coon could weigh up to 18 pounds. Obesity in this situation would begin at around 21.5 pounds. If your cat is a mixed breed, your veterinarian can help you figure out their ideal weight!
Causes of Cat Obesity
Any cat can become obese, regardless of age, sex, or breed. In fact, over 50% of pet cats in the United States are considered obese. The causes of cat obesity can be broken down into two main categories: animal-specific factors and diet-specific factors.
Animal-specific factors include your cat’s age, whether or not they’re neutered, lifestyle, and health history. Middle-aged cats are more likely to be overweight than kittens or elderly cats. Additionally, neutered male and female cats tend to have a bigger appetite than unneutered cats. Finally, some disease processes can lead to weight gain in cats. With sudden weight gain—and no change to diet or activity level—it may be beneficial to check for diabetes, GI disorders, and other conditions.
Diet-specific factors include the type of food and treats you’re feeding, how much food is being offered, and how often your cat is fed. Essentially, this is the total quantity and quality of calories your cat consumes.
Common Symptoms
Often, obese cats will show behavioral symptoms first. Look for things like reduced energy and activity levels, sleeping more, and difficulty grooming. Overweight animals are also more likely to experience joint pain and arthritis. If your cat has trouble walking, jumping, or getting on and off furniture, their weight may be a contributing factor.
Being above the ideal body weight also puts cats at risk of serious medical conditions. Some of the common disorders associated with excess weight include:
- Type 2 diabetes (an obese cat is three times more likely to develop this serious disease than a cat of normal weight)
- Heart disease
- Osteoarthritis (arthritis)
- Joint pain and injuries
- High blood pressure
- Bladder stones and urinary tract infections
- Some forms of cancer
Cat Weight Management
Getting your cat back to a healthy weight takes time, patience, and a little bit of guidance from your veterinarian! First, you’ll want to rule out underlying health conditions as a cause of your pet’s weight gain. A physical exam, labwork, and even ultrasound can help rule out a serious underlying condition.
Once your cat has a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can put together your cat’s weight loss plan. First, your veterinarian will calculate an appropriate target goal for calories fed per day to promote weight loss. Then they’ll work with you to achieve your cat’s nutrient goals.
While every cat’s needs will be different, common weight management strategies include:
- Calorie-restricted foods that help cats feel fuller while staying in a calorie deficit
- Switching from kibble to a canned food diet
- Prescription metabolic diets that promote weight loss
- Feeding strategies to help your cat adjust to their new diet
Your veterinarian may also recommend that your cat get more activity. That might mean daily play sessions, supervised outside time or walks, and enrichment to prevent boredom. Puzzle feeders and interactive toy feeders can reduce boredom and slow your cat down at mealtimes.
Healthy Weight, Happy Cats!
Keeping your cat at a healthy weight can help them live better, for longer. Need some guidance on how to help your feline friend trim down? The team at Pine Point Animal Hospital is here to support you! We can help with nutritional counseling, regular weigh-ins, and weight loss monitoring.