 Overview:
Obesity is a
serious problem in cats which can lead to premature death. Sadly
it is the most common nutritional disorder seen in cats.
Approximately 40% of cats in the USA are obese.
A cat is
considered to be obese if it's weight is around 20% over the
ideal weight.
What are the
causes of obesity in cats?
The most common
problem is over feeding. If the calories consumed exceed
calories burned then the cat will put on weight.
Dry food diets are
extremely popular these days & can lead to obesity. The problem
lies in the fact that the cat by nature requires a high protein
diet & most dry foods are high in carbohydrates. Cats synthesize
protein & fat to use as energy, carbohydrates are converted to
fat.
Ageing - As the
cat moves into it's senior years it's metabolic rate slows down,
joints may become more painful & the senior cat will be less
active. A slowed down metabolic rate & decrease in activity can
both lead to obesity in cats.
What problems
does obesity cause in cats?
How can I tell
if my cat is obese?
It is always best
to ask your veterinarian if he/she believes your cat is obese.
Cats come in all shapes & sizes & therefore it is difficult to
determine a standard weight which covers all cats & their
differences. For example, a Singapura would be expected to weigh
less than a Maine Coon.
However, a rough indicator is to feel along the
side of the cat. You should be able to feel the individual ribs.
Stand over the
cat, you should be able to see a waist, and have an hourglass
figure.
There is a
noticeable bulge on either side of the tail head [1]
What will my
vet do?
Your veterinarian
will perform a physical examination of your cat. He/she will
also want to run blood tests to rule out a medical cause of
obesity such as an under active thyroid (hypothyroid).
Treatment of
obesity in cats:
Weight loss is
something which requires close veterinary supervision. If it is
done too quickly it can lead to hepatic lipidosis, which is life
threatening. Therefore NEVER attempt a weight reduction diet on
your own.
-
Increase
exercise: There are plenty of interactive toys on the
market which will encourage your cat to exercise.
-
Decrease caloric
intake: There are prescription diets on the market
specifically for cats, your veterinarian will be able to
recommend the right diet for your cat. As stated above, it is
now well known that many dry foods contain excessive
quantities of carbohydrates which can lead to obesity. So
switching to either canned or raw food should be discussed
with your veterinarian. Weight loss needs to occur gradually
to avoid hepatic lipidosis.
-
No treats: It's
easy to slip the odd treat to your cat, but this needs to be
stopped completely.
-
Feed 4-6 small
meals per day instead of filling the bowl & leaving it down
for your cat to graze on.
-
If the cause is
medical & not diet related, treating the condition should
hopefully resolve the obesity.
References:
[1] The Cornell
Book of Cats |
