Mary Allen
About every second cat in Germany is overweight. Obesity in cats is a serious disease that has a negative impact on the health of a four-legged friend. Being overweight shortens the life expectancy of cats and significantly impairs their quality of life. You can find out here how you can tell if your cat is overweight and what you can do about it.
What Causes Obesity in Cats?
Weight gain in cats can have a number of causes:
- Taken too much energy
Like humans, the most common reason cats are overweight is consuming more energy than needed. In combination with too little exercise, the absorbed energy cannot be used and is stored in the form of fat deposits. - begging = hungry?
The cat meows heart-rendingly caresses its owner’s legs, and looks deep into his eyes. Always answering begging behavior with food contributes to consuming more energy than needed. - predisposition to obesity
There are certain cat breeds, like the British Shorthair, that are more prone to obesity. A breed-specific diet takes this tendency into account and can prevent obesity in cats. - Missing overview
If different people feed the cat, the overview of the total amount and thus of the total calories consumed is lost. It is best to agree within the family who is responsible for feeding the cat. - Nutritional errors in growth
Cats that were fed too much as puppies tend to become overweight as they get older. A portion of needs-based kitten food is therefore particularly important and lays the foundation for a healthy life. - Changing energy needs in old age
Energy and nutrient requirements change with age: Senior cats generally consume less energy than their active, younger counterparts. Age-related obesity can be counteracted with an age-appropriate diet. - Altered metabolism through castration
Neutered cats tend to be overweight due to altered metabolism. It is therefore advisable to switch to a low-calorie diet for castrated cats two weeks before the operation. - diseases
In some cases, a medical condition can affect weight. If the cat suffers from joint problems, for example, it no longer likes to play and hunt so much and then uses less energy. Regular veterinary checks are therefore all the more important.
What are the Consequences of Obesity in Cats?
Being overweight is a disease and can lead to other serious health problems. It weakens the cardiovascular system and the immune system and increases the risk of certain tumors. Diabetes and urinary stones are also more common. Hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver, is one of the most common liver diseases in overweight cats. Fat animals are also more prone to skin and coat problems. The increased stress on joints due to the additional bodyweight damages the musculoskeletal system and can lead to osteoarthritis. Overweight cats also have difficulty using the litter box, which can impact lower urinary tract health.
What to Do If My Cat is Overweight?
Listen to your vet
The vet is the best point of contact when it comes to your cat’s well-being. Get advice on which diet food is best for your cat. An individual nutrition and action plan for healthy weight loss can then be developed together. Therefore, you should have your cat checked regularly by the vet. A balanced weight loss plan is very important so that the cat can find a better quality of life without risk.
Enough exercise
Exercise burns calories strengthen muscles and sharpen the senses. If a cat does not exercise enough, boredom and lethargy develop. Keep your cat mentally and physically fit by playing with her for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day. If you regularly satisfy your cat’s innate play instinct, you can maintain your cat’s concentration, speed, and agility into old age.
What Should You Look Out for When Buying Diet Food for Cats?
Good diet food contains high-quality raw materials and keeps the cat full for a long time. If the food is given in the recommended amount, the cat’s energy needs are met and not over-fulfilled. At the same time, however, it is supplied with the required amount of vitamins and nutrients. If less of the usual food were simply given, this would not be the case and an undersupply would be the result. In addition, this would not prevent a cat from going hungry. A portion of high-quality diet food can also be fed as part of a change in diet without any time limit and should not be confused with a short-term diet.