Cat Obesity: No Laughing Matter

October 6th, 2020

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October 14th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, a perfect reminder of the importance of keeping our feline friends fit and lean. Overweight cats are at risk of serious health conditions that can impact their quality of life. One of the best ways pet parents can ensure their furry companions stay healthy and vibrant is to help them maintain their ideal weights.

What Are the Health Risks of Obesity?

Obesity significantly impacts a cat's life expectancy. Overweight cats are at an elevated risk of developing a host of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, fatty liver, immune suppression, cancer, joint problems, arthritis, and skin infections.

How Can You Determine if Your Cat is Obese?

The first step in dealing with feline obesity is recognizing there is a problem. When it comes to humans, published charts can help determine the ideal weight. However, our feline friends vary significantly in body size and shape, so we use a body condition score (BCS) instead. Your trusted team at All About Cats Veterinary Hospital will evaluate your cat and grade it on a scale from 1 to 9, with 5/9 being an ideal body weight.

Once we establish that your cat is overweight, we will conduct a thorough examination to rule out any medical conditions contributing to your furry friend's obesity. If there are no underlying conditions, we will start looking into feeding and exercise habits. When treating obesity, the goal is to lose fat while preserving lean muscle mass.

How Can You Help Your Cat Lose Weight?

A safe and effective weight loss program involves increasing your cat's exercise, modifying feeding practices, and restricting calories consumed. Pet parents need to take an active role in exercising their fur-ever friends. If your cat is sedentary, it's important to gradually increase the amount of exercise until about 15-30 minutes a day. Just 15 minutes of daily activity will increase your cat's energy and metabolic rate while retaining lean body mass. Teaser toys and laser pointers are a great way to bond with your four-legged companion while providing the needed exercise.

The next step is adjusting feedings to promote weight loss. We will recommend scientifically formulated nutritional products that will help with healthy and safe weight reduction. Merely reducing your cat's current food volume is not the solution because it can lead to malnourishment over time. If your feline friend is used to snacking, we may recommend tasty treats that will not interfere with your cat's diet plan. Often, our doctor will recommend transitioning from dry food to wet food when appropriate.

Monitoring the Weight Loss Journey

We recommend regular weigh-ins at a minimum once per month to monitor your cat's weight-loss journey. It's important that your kitty loses weight not too slowly and not too fast to ensure the process is effective and healthy. Once the ideal body weight is achieved, you'll need to maintain the results. We will recommend the appropriate food and portions to keep your cat's health in tip-top shape.

Quality Feline Care Near Me

Contact All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Kirkland, WA, to learn more about keeping your cat's weight in check. We are dedicated to ensuring our four-legged patients enjoy purr-fectly healthy and active lives. You can always count on us for outstanding, compassionate care!