Obesity in Cats

When we agreed to adopt Scully, I can honestly say that we did not know what to expect. We knew that he was ‘on the large side’ physically, but we had not seen him for ourselves. Nothing prepared us for the day we went to collect him. We were shocked to find that he weighed around 33lbs and could barely fit into our large pet carrier!

Fast-forward two years - Scully is still not down to a ‘healthy’ weight according to the recommendations for cats, but he has lost over 10lbs now and is much healthier. We are pleased that his diet plan is going well and continue to make progress with him.

There is plenty of information on the causes and possible effects of obesity in cats. As discussed in other articles, the commercial diets that many of us feed our cats do not mimic their natural diet. Evidence shows that this in itself is one of the leading causes of the increasing obesity issue in cats. The popular trend to keep cats indoors well ensures their safety, but it has also resulted in a decrease of their activity levels. When paired with over-feeding or a high carbohydrate diet, this can and most often does lead to dangerous weight-gain.

Obesity can be a major factor in many feline diseases and ailments, some of which can be fatal. Diabetes, Hepatic Lipidosis (liver disease), arthritis, respiratory problems, and an increased risk when using anesthesia are all linked to obesity in cats. It is best to deal with any weight problems before these potential effects have the chance to arise.

Consult Your Trusted Veterinarian Before Starting Any Weight-Loss Program

This is especially true for cats that are very overweight. There is nothing to be ashamed of when considering the health of your pets, but you must be ready to take an honest look at the reasons your cat has become overweight and you must be ready to make some serious changes to both the lifestyle and diet of your cat. The vet can also help you decide on whether your cat is overweight if you are not sure. Some cats are just naturally bigger than others are and a healthy weight cat does not need any extensive diet changes.

When considering changes to your cat’s diet, it is important to remember that feeding too little can cause as many problems as feeding too much and the frequently fatal liver disease, Hepatic Lipidosis, can be a major issue when cats do not get enough to eat. Feline diets are not as simple as just eating less food and therefore, your vet should always approve any changes to the amount or type of food in your cat’s diet. Along with your input, your vet knows what is best for your cat based on her individual needs. You should also discuss the topic of which kind of food is best for your cat with your vet although there is a lot of good advice in the referenced articles which may help you make an informed decision.

Determine the Cause of Your Cat's Weight Gain

Before consulting your vet about potential diet changes, you might want to compile a little information about your cat’s normal habits. Start by writing down the times of day you offer food to your cat, the amount given as well as ingested, the types of food you put down, and the times and amount of any special treats, or “people-food”. This information is invaluable when looking at potential causes of weight gain. When determining the cause in your cat, you will discuss whether the weight gain is the result of an underlying medical problem, overfeeding or environmental circumstances. Once that is determined, you can discuss the many options available regarding food choice. As usual, there will need to be a change over period to ensure a smooth transition to the new food.

Our vet runs a ‘fat cat clinic’ every 2 weeks. The cats have short appointments where the vet weighs and examines them. Many vets run these clinics free of charge or cheaper than a normal visit for their regular patients. A scale designed for home use can not show the more subtle changes in body fat and weight that a cat makes and it can be a little disheartening not to have the more accurate vet type weigh-ins. Not only do you get the more accurate weight, but you are also getting the added bonus of tips and information made by your vet at these sessions. It may also be helpful to establish a friendly dialogue with other people who care for an obese cat. They may have ideas and suggestions to offer. Ask if your vet offers these types of ‘clinics’ and if not, suggest that he consider it.