All cat owners should know if their cat is obese, what problems are associated with obesity, what causes obesity, and how to fix the problem.
So how do I know if my cat is obese
Obesity is commonly defined as being more than 20 above the ideal weight how that ideal weight is determined, however, is not always cut and dried, Unlike humans, who have Body Mass Index and other various charts to guide them, there is not an established chart of acceptable weights for cats due to the large variations between the different breeds A Maine Coon will be much heavier than a Siamese. For this reason, obesity in cats is determined using body condition scoring. Body condition scoring usually ranges from 1 to 9, with 5 being ideal and 9 being grossly overweight.
So how can you tell if your cats too fat feel his sides, Can you feel his ribs, A little fat covering is ideal, You should be able to feel his ribs if you put slight pressure on his sides, but you shouldn't be able to count them just by running your hand over his body. Look at him while you're standing above him. Can you see his waist, Yes, cats should have a waist. Look at him from the side. Do you see his tummy tucking in a bit, It shouldn't be wobbling around in the breeze in neutered animals, a slight pouch of loose skin is normal.
For long haired cats, it may be helpful to wet down their fur in the bathtub to judge their body condition. All that fur can give the illusion that the cat is much heavier than it really is, or provide a great excuse to the owner for why her cat looks fat.
See the links following this article for an illustrated chart to help you.
So He is Fat. Is It That Dangerous
The short answer YES,
The long answer: a list of known risks. Obese cats have a much higher risk of developing:
diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes
hepatic lipid sis FLS a form of liver disease
arthritis or other skeletal problems
lower urinary tract disease cystitis*breathing difficulties
heart failure
renal disease
problems with anesthetic
surgical complications
But He Doesn't Eat THAT much...
Excess weight is all about eating more calories than the body needs. If your cat is neutered, he uses les calories. If he's a barn cat, he uses a lot more calories. The more active he is, the more calories he needs. Most of us have indoor cats that lay around much of the time. They're not using energy to stay warm; they're not hunting for their food. They don't need to have a big bowl of food lying around to munch on 24 hours a day.
When humans diet, it is often recommended to keep a food diary because we lose track of how much we're really eating. You can lose track of how much your cat is really eating if you free-feed dry and toss treats at him several times a day. Be more conscious of what you're feeding him and remember that an animal that weighs 12 pounds doesn't need to eat all that much. Nor will he think you don't love him anymore if you stop tossing him treats every time you think he's being cute. If you want to show him your love, play with him. Give him some catnip. Spend time interacting with him. Don't equate food with love.
Getting the Weight Off
if your cat is more than a little overweight, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. There are a few medical reasons for gross obesity that require veterinary care to fix. Barring a medical problem causing the condition, your vet should monitor your obese cat's health as you restrict calories. Strict dieting can be deadly to obese cats. Do not just drastically cut down on her food and hope the weight will melt off. Obese cats who are suddenly deprived of food are prone to Fatty Liver Syndrome, which can be fatal if untreated. Weight loss should be a gradual process - the natural result of a healthier diet and a more active life.
Most cats are not so grossly obese that they need medical care to supervise their weight loss. Most are simply the result of an unhealthy lifestyle where they consume too many calories, are too inactive, and eat the wrong kinds of food (pretty much just like overweight people). Addressing these problems will result in the weight gradually reducing to a healthy number. Try these tips.
*Buy premium food. Many inexpensive brands don't use quality ingredients and use far too many fillers. The nutrients are not as digestible, thus aren't bioavailability they just pass right through the system. The cat eats more to compensate.
Feed portioned meals at regular mealtimes. Cats will eat out of boredom, just like people. They may also compete for food in a multi-cat home. Feed the portion recommended on the food packaging, dividing into two or three feedings daily barring any medical condition requiring a different feeding schedule. Separate your cats in your multiple-cat household if necessary. Leave the food down for 30 40 minutes, then take it up. You eat meals at mealtime. So can your cat.
*Feed wet food in addition to or instead of dry. Cats are meant to eat meat. Dry foods tend to have far too many carbohydrates not very digestible and not nearly enough water and protein. The wet food, high in protein and fat, satisfies the cat's hunger better and is used more efficiently by the body. If your cat likes wet food, feed the wet only. If she isn't all that crazy about it, give her half her calories as dry and half as wet. If you're just starting out, even a quarter of her calories coming from wet food is a start.
