It’s not just fur!! Is your cat overweight?

All too often we hear that famous line…”he’s not fat- it’s just fur”!  Unfortunately, the issue of obesity is no joke as it can lead to serious health disorders and a decreased life expectancy.

The incidence of human obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, and it would appear that the same can be said for obesity patterns in cats.  Recent studies suggest that approximately 25% to 40% of all cats are overweight or obese- frightening numbers!

A cat that is carrying excess body fat is more prone to developing a number of serious health problems, including;

As well as detrimental health conditions, obesity also contributes to other complications, including;

  • Increased risk under anaesthetic
  • Decreased immune system function
  • Breathing problems
  • Inability for the Veterinarian to perform a thorough physical examination of the abdomen and lymph nodes and making routine diagnostic testing more difficult (e.g. blood collection and urinary cystocentesis), meaning possible delay in the detection of other illnesses

So…is it really just fur??  Here at Perth Cat Hospital we give every patient a body condition score as part of their physical examination.  This is an international standardised measure to gauge whether your kitty is the correct body weight.  If your kitty may be too embarrassed to step onto the scales in the clinic then you can also do this at home using the body condition score chart found on the information page (See: Obesity in Cats: Prevention and Management).

If your cat is a little on the hefty side then it is important for us to develop a structured weight-loss plan together.  It is important that when we are attempting weight loss that all of our kitty’s nutritional requirements are met (which is sometimes not the case if you just “cut back the amount of food”).  We need to ensure gradual weight loss, as losing too much weight too quickly can also be dangerous.  During a weight loss consultation we can advise you as to the most suitable food types and specific quantities required to achieve the ideal weight.

We all know that diet is only part of the weight loss equation- exercise is also a must!  Yes, it’s true that most cats are not about to jump on the treadmill, more so we aim to increase activity around the home via mimicking natural feeding and hunting behaviour.  Cats in the wild typically eat 10-20 small meals per day so simulating this behaviour can reduce boredom and well as assist weight loss, and even prevent obesity in the first place.  Time to get creative!!

Ways to encourage activity may include:

  • providing food in puzzle feeders or treat balls meaning effort is required to extract the food! (these can even be home-made for example an empty egg cartons)
  • hiding food around the house or feeding on an elevated surface
  • toss kibbles and let your cat chase after the food as they would chase prey
  • feed a minimum of twice per day
  • window hammocks, platforms and cat furniture to provide more vertical space for cats to explore
  • for indoor housed cats consider a cat enclosure outdoors, providing a safe place to explore
  • ensure to allocate time every day for playing and interacting with your cat, even just 10 minutes per day can be effective at promoting weight loss.  Toys like “Da bird” can simulate hunting drive and promote excellent exercise. We stock a wide variety of their toys. (Refer also the previous April blog Choosing the right toys for your cat for playtime for more ideas).

Dr Niquet

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