Obesity in cats is an animal welfare problem. The extra kilos on a kitty increase the risk of a number of health problems. In the past, cats had to work a little for their food by chasing mice, while today they have their food served in front of them and can laze on the sofa as long as they want. It can also be difficult to resist the sweet eyes of the food lover when they come and beg so nicely. Although there are several reasons for a fat cat, the main reason for obesity in cats is the same as in us humans. Namely too much food and too little exercise. We explain other causes of obesity in cats and what you should do if your cat suffers from obesity.
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Is my cat overweight?
“What a big, beautiful cat you have!” You may have heard it before that they put extra pressure on “big”? Or do you know someone who doesn’t mince words and says it like it is: “That was a fat cat – maybe it’s time for a diet?” But how can you tell if your cat is so big that it’s overweight? Maybe it’s just the thick winter fur? As an owner, you can do a quick check yourself by feeling your cat’s chest. Here you should be able to easily feel the ribs even if the cat is very furry. If you have to press a little or feel that the ribs are covered by an excess layer of fat, the cat is overweight. Take a look at the chart below to get a more basic overview.
What is the normal weight for a cat?
The ideal weight for your cat depends entirely on its size and build. Small cats come in different sizes, but the majority of them have a normal weight of between 3–4 kg. If you have a small, short cat, the ideal weight may be lower, while the ideal weight of an otherwise long-legged and large cat may be more. If you are unsure whether your cat should lose weight, you are more than welcome to our clinic to speak to one of our vets or animal care providers.
Why is obesity a problem for cats?
Having an overweight cat increases the risk of a number of problems such as:
- Shorter lifespan
- Diabetes
- Load on internal organs and skeleton
- Problems with the heart and respiratory tract
- Increased risk of types of cancer
- Urinary tract problems
- Weakened immune system
- Skin Conditions
- High cholesterol
- Joint pain, osteoarthritis
Causes of obesity in cats
Diet
Does the food tax have a high calorie intake? We know it can be cute when the furry thief jumps up on the counter and steals hot dogs. Or looks happy in the moment with the extra treats and snacks. But one kilo too much equals much more on the little cat's body than for us humans. If we compare one kilo extra on a cat that has an ideal weight of 3,5 kg, one kilo equals 23 kg on a human who initially weighs 80 kg. We have a large selection of diet food in our online store. So be careful about what your cat eats. Amounts of food that seem small to us are often more than enough for the cat, even though they are good actors and may mean otherwise.
Also read our blog post about what your cat should eat.
Lack of exercise
There are some challenges to having an indoor cat. The cat gets all its meals served on a plate but doesn't get to spend energy hunting outside or going on long walks. A lot of food combined with low energy expenditure can lead to an overweight cat. It's easy for a lack of exercise to become a vicious cycle where the extra pounds make the kitty less inclined to move.
Age and illness
Although it is a rare cause of obesity in cats, there are diseases that cause the metabolism to be lower. These can be acromegaly, hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome. Cats can also experience joint problems and stiff joints. Joint pain occurs especially in older cats over 7 years of age. Since cats are basically predators, they are good at hiding signs of pain or injury even if they have it. Age and disease can therefore be an underlying cause of a lower activity level and thus higher weight.
Curious about how old your cat is in human years? Try our cat year calculator.
How to make a cat lose weight
If you have an overweight cat, you should take them to the vet for a quick check-up. Your vet can rule out any underlying causes of the weight gain. We can also provide tailored advice on ways your cat can lose weight and how long the process should take.
Other tips to help your cat lose weight:
- Follow the portion sizes on the package.
- Reduce your intake of treats and snacks.
- Gi diet food.
- Place the food bowl at a height so that the cat can use its body to reach it.
- Bruk activation balls or toys so the cat has to work to get food.
- Give the cat climbing opportunities.
- Play with string or laser pointer.
- Teach the cat to walk along sele and take it with you on a trip.
- If your cat lies to the neighbors that it doesn't get food at home, it might be a good idea to attach a message to the collar that it should not be fed.
Prevention – help your cat maintain a healthy weight
The four-legged family member has reached his ideal weight, what now? Once the cat has lost weight, it is incredibly easy to fall back into old habits. A new program should therefore be created to help your cat maintain its weight. It is a good idea to bring your kitty to routine health check-ups with the veterinarian. This will help to assess the cat's body condition and weight development so that the cat does not become overweight again. Regular health checks are also a good idea as a preventive measure for early detection of obesity.
