Obesity in cats – Katzenworld

This article first appeared on iCatCare over here

The most common form of malnutrition in pets in the UK is over-consumption of calories which leads to obesity.

It is estimated that between 39 and 52 per cent of cats in the UK are overweight or obese.

“Obese” cats are those that are at least 20 percent heavier than their optimal weight due to excessive fat accumulation.

A cat is “overweight” if it is 10 to 19 percent heavier than its optimal weight. Ideally, cats should be fed to maintain their optimum body weight. Long-term studies have shown that both obesity and being excessively thin shorten life expectancy.

body condition assessment

Body weight can be used to assess whether the cat has gained or lost weight. However, determining the ideal weight depends on the age and breed of the cat. Therefore, a scale is often used to assess the state of the body (Body Condition Score, BCS).

This scale rates a cat’s body condition from 1-5, with a BCS of 1 being too skinny, 3 being perfect and 5 being obese. It is an obese cat whose ribs are hard to feel because they are covered with a thick layer of fat, there is a medium to thick layer of fat covering all bony spurs, and a cat has a drooping “skirt” (bulge under the abdomen), without a waist.

The chart below is a useful way to assess your cat’s body condition, along with its general muscle condition.

Health risks of obesity

Obesity increases the risk of developing or developing many diseases (see below).

Risks of developing obesity

Weight gain occurs when cats have a “positive energy balance” for an extended period of time, which means they eat more calories than they expend. Excess energy is stored as fat. In most cases, the body is able to regulate energy consumption in proportion to energy use, maintaining the body’s state around its “set point”. However, some factors can affect this set point and predispose a cat to gain weight.

Purebred cats are less likely to be obese than moggies. Neutered cats tend to gain weight more easily than whole animals. When a cat is neutered, its metabolic rate drops by about 20 percent, so neutered cats require less food than healthy cats to maintain body condition. Activity can significantly contribute to an individual’s energy requirements. Cats with reduced activity or limited opportunities to exercise are more likely to be overweight than active cats. Healthy cats tend to roam. Neutering reduces the urge to roam and reduces the amount of physical activity a cat does.

A cat’s age is also associated with the prevalence of obesity. Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight, while cats between the ages of 2 and 10 require less energy and are therefore more likely to be overweight. Older and older cats (cats over 10 years old) tend to be underweight.

Feeding a highly palatable, energy-dense diet predisposes cats to overeating and encourages obesity, especially if these foods are freely available or used excessively as “treats.” Additionally, there are some medications that can predispose to weight gain, either by increasing appetite or lowering the metabolic rate. Medications commonly associated with weight gain include corticosteroids (such as prednisolone), amitriptyline and cyproheptidine.

Obesity treatment

It is dangerous for cats to lose weight too quickly as this predisposes them to developing fatty liver disease, a fatal liver disease in which fat is deposited within the liver as a result of a change in metabolism during fasting. A gradual, steady decrease in body weight is ideal; It can take up to a year for an overweight cat to reach its ideal body condition. A veterinary surgeon can devise a weight loss program that combines a feeding plan, appropriate exercise, and close monitoring. It is very difficult to see weight loss in a cat that you are in close contact with on a daily basis. Regular visits to the veterinary surgeon for weight operations will also ensure that the weight loss is not too rapid.

Cats are omnivores, and unlike humans and dogs, they must have meat in their diet to survive. A normal cat diet consisting of small mammal prey will be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. In order to lose weight in cats, veterinary diets that are high in protein, low in fat and low in carbohydrates are designed. This helps cats lose fat while maintaining lean body mass (ie muscle).

For advice on introducing a new diet click here.

In addition to a proper diet, cats can be encouraged to exercise either through increased play, or by encouraging movement around the house (going up and down stairs either by using a pet harness or by moving feeding bowls, etc.).

They were puzzle feeders too It has been found to enhance physical and emotional well-being. More information about puzzle feeders can be found over here.

Maintain optimum condition

Once the cat reaches its target weight, it may be best to feed a “light” or low-calorie food. These diets are designed for less active cats and do not contain calories like regular maintenance foods. While it is difficult to see weight loss in a cat that you see every day, it is also difficult to see the early stages of weight gain. You should continue to have regular weight checks to ensure that the fat does not start to crawl again.

I am a cat behaviorist at International Cat Care. We are in the process of engaging, educating and empowering people around the world to improve the health and well-being of cats through sharing advice, training, and passion.