Cat Obesity, a Growing Concern

Obesity in cats is becoming an increasingly large problem, cats are packing on the kilos as well as humans! We can not ignore this problem any longer.

Obesity is not just a problem in people; pets are packing on the kilos too! A report from the American National Academy of Science shows that one in four pets is overweight or obese. This problem can no longer be ignored! How much does a fat pet weigh?

Putting your cat on the scale is not the best way to evaluate if the pet is overweight. There is a tremendous amount of individual variation in an animal's ideal weight. It is better to look at the appearance of each animal rather than at a weight that this breed or type of animal 'should' be. Looking at the animal's body condition is the best way to judge where your cat falls on the obesity spectrum

Body condition scores are most commonly rated on a 5- or 9- point scale, with the middle of the scale designated ideal. The pet is scored by looking at its build, the amount of fat overlying its ribs, and its waist. Breed, age, sex, and type of lifestyle are minor factors noted.

You should be able to feel your cat's ribs easily without pressing, but you should not be able to see the ribs through the coat. There should be a tuck in in the abdominal area. Your cat's torso, viewed from above, should resemble an hourglass. You can conduct these quick checks, but since it's hard for owners to be objective, it's best to seek your veterinarian's advice.

Since more pets are overweight, we have become accustomed to seeing pets who weigh more than is ideal. The norm now seems to be several kilos overweight. Often if a pet is lean, owners think the pet is starving. However, studies show that lean cats have fewer health problems and an increased life span of up to 2 years!

An overweight cat is not a healthy cat. Owners need to recognize that they are putting their cat's health at risk by allowing that extra weight. Obesity commonly leads to diabetes, heart problems, and arthritis. An overweight cat does not age well, either. Overweight cats are more prone to hip dysplasia, back and joint pain, and endocrine diseases. Extra weight also decreases a veterinarian's ability to manage these conditions both medically and surgically. Keeping Fluffy at a healthy weight can literally add years to her life.

Why are more cats overweight? The answer is the same for cats as well as people: too many calories and not enough exercise. The most common reason for overfeeding is that owners want to show their cat they care and one way is to give a treat. One extra treat can turn into 5 and then 10. Be aware exactly how much you are feeding your cats.

It can be a challenge deciding how much is the right amount to feed your cat. What's listed on the bag is for the average cat, but lifestyle, activity level, and age also affect how much food a cat needs. If your cat is overweight, feed less than what the bag says and adjust from there. Remember that treats reduce the amount of food required at each meal

If given the chance most animals will eat more than they need. Talk to your veterinarian to figure out the ideal weight for your cat, then monitor your cat's weight with weekly or monthly rib checks or weigh ins. Never start your cat on a diet without consulting your veterinarian.

Prevention is really the key. It is very hard to get cats to lose weight, especially if it is an arthritic cat that cannot exercise. Keeping animals at a steady weight is a much easier task. If you are faced with an obese cat, first rule out medical reasons for being overweight. Then simply decrease calories in the diet and increase exercise. An extra motivation is that people who lose weight together with their cat are more likely to keep it off.

Be careful about reducing food consumption rather than calories. Cats who do not get their fill at mealtimes may tend to scavenge more. Choose calorie-controlled foods such as Science Diet Light for dogs or Science Diet Light for cats. Working with a veterinarian is the best way to formulate a healthy diet for you pet, determine your cat's ideal weight, and create a weight loss plan. Contact your local veterinarian if your cat is overweight.