In France, the rate of obesity among cats is a growing problem. According to some studies and clinical observations, it is estimated that nearly 25 to 30% of domestic cats suffer from obesity. This alarming figure is often attributed to several factors, including overfeeding or poor-quality diet, neutering, sedentary habits, and sometimes underlying health problems. Nevertheless, an obese cat should not be taken lightly due to the potentially serious health issues it can lead to.
Among these problems, diabetes, hepatic lipidosis, joint disorders, and increased anesthetic risk during surgery can be found. This is why it is essential to pay attention to your pet's weight by providing them with a balanced diet and encouraging them to remain active.
It can be complex to determine your cat's weight status, so here are some keys to help you assess it.
To objectify it, you can place your hands on either side of its thorax, precisely at the level of its ribs. Once your hands are positioned, use the tips of your fingers to make small back-and-forth movements.
Your cat is considered to be within the norms if you do not need to press to slightly feel its ribs. If you feel them more, your cat is too thin, and if you need to press, it indicates that your companion is overweight. There are indexed charts that provide an indication of the weight status.
Obesity in cats can be caused by several factors, some of which are similar to those contributing to obesity in humans. The main culprits include an inadequate or excessive diet.
Among other factors that can explain your cat's weight gain: lack of activity. Cats living in apartments are more exposed to this issue.
Signs of obesity beyond physical appearance in cats may include difficulty moving or jumping, loss of interest in play, skin problems due to the inability to groom properly, and finally, your cat is more susceptible to developing health issues, including diabetes.
Obesity can reduce your cat's life expectancy by 2 to 3 years due to increased exposure to several serious diseases and health issues. Here are some of the risks and diseases associated with obesity in cats:
As previously mentioned, the two main factors contributing to obesity are diet and lack of physical activity. Here are some tips focusing on these two pillars.
Diet: We recommend using veterinary-grade kibble adapted to your cat's physiological stage (neutered, pregnancy...). Neutered cats require a lower caloric intake due to the reduced energy expenditure, which is why there's a special range for neutered cats.
Regarding the amount of kibble to give, it is important to serve your cat the amount indicated on the package, based on your cat’s ideal weight, not its current weight.
Physical Activity: It is important that your cat is not sedentary to be able to lose weight. Therefore, you can set up a cat tree or a course in your house or apartment.
It is also beneficial to play with your cat for 3 to 5 minutes, 2 to 5 times a day. If outdoor access is possible, prioritize this access.
In urban areas, taking your cat outside on a harness is also possible, provided it has been accustomed to it.
Tips to Remember! If your cat shows signs of hunger, you can supplement its bowl with cooked zucchini or switch to wet food where the caloric intake is lower for the same food weight.
Switching to an anti-gulping bowl, a labyrinth, a Pipolino, or a kibble-dispensing tree is also possible. These devices will prolong feeding time and encourage your cat to move to eat.
There is no ideal or abnormal weight for the feline race as a whole. It's important to refer to the standard of your pet's breed.
For a European cat, the ideal weight is estimated to be between 3.5 kg and 4 kg for a female and between 4 kg and 4.5 kg for a male.
For breeds such as Maine Coon or Norwegian, the ideal weight is between 8 and 12 kg for a male and between 4 and 8 kg for a female.
Here are some low-calorie kibble brands offering a diet for obese cats: Hill’s Metabolic cat or Weight loss, Royal Canin appetite control care or Light Weight care in jelly or Veterinary Diet Satiety Weight and finally Virbac HPM 1 or HPM 2.
It is advisable to avoid table scraps when your cat shows obesity. However, when your cat maintains a stable and within-normal weight, you can occasionally give leftover food provided they are given in reasonable quantities and that the amount of kibble or pâté provided is adjusted according to what they received in parallel.
To prevent obesity in cats, it's essential to provide a diet that meets their nutritional needs and help them adopt an active lifestyle, including playing with them for a few minutes several times a day, giving them access to the outdoors, or setting up a course or a cat tree in your home.
It is important to react quickly when you notice weight gain to prevent the harmful effects of being overweight on your pet. It will also be easier to help your cat lose a few grams rather than kilograms.
In summary, the health issues of an obese cat are recurring in our society. Feline obesity is responsible for numerous diseases, some of which can be fatal. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive measures through two main actions: diet and lifestyle. An adequate diet that meets their nutritional needs in reasonable quantities will help maintain good hygiene and quality of life. Similarly, implementing an active routine is beneficial to limit the onset of a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead your companion into a vicious cycle.
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