Feline obesity is a prevalent and growing concern, affecting over half of the cat population in the United States. This excess weight is more than just a cosmetic issue; it significantly impacts a cat's health, mobility, and lifespan. Overweight cats are at a higher risk for various health problems, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease, and decreased overall quality of life and life expectancy. Fortunately, feline obesity is a preventable and treatable condition.
Identifying Overweight Cats
All cats have an ideal weight based on their breed and size. However, it can be challenging to determine if your cat is overweight due to their fur. Some signs of an overweight cat include decreased activity and difficulty walking. Veterinarians use the Body Condition Score (BCS) system to assess a cat's body condition. The BCS is a 5- or 9-point scale, with an ideal score of 5 or 3.5, respectively. A score above this indicates that the cat is overweight.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
This system ranks body fat on a scale from 1 (underweight) to 9 (obese), with an ideal score of 5.
Rib Test
You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs without pressing too hard.
If you are uncertain about your cat’s weight, consult with your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and a customized weight management plan.
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The Importance of a Healthy Weight
Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight improves longevity, mobility, and overall well-being. Even a small amount of extra fat can affect their comfort and quality of life. As little as two pounds above your cat’s ideal weight can increase the risk of serious medical conditions.
Common weight-related disorders in cats include:
- Diabetes or insulin resistance
- Kidney disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Bladder and urinary tract disease
- Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Respiratory disease
- Certain cancers
- Chronic inflammation
- Liver disease
- Reproductive disease
- Blindness from high blood pressure
- Skin disease
Studies indicate that overweight cats live shorter lives than their normal-weight counterparts and may exhibit less energy and playfulness.
Creating a Weight Loss Plan
Work with your veterinarian to create a safe, step-by-step weight loss plan tailored to your cat's specific needs. A successful weight loss plan considers what is fed, exercise, environmental enrichment, and regular recheck visits.
Veterinary Consultation
Before starting a weight-loss program, have your cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. A medical condition could be a possible cause or contributor to your cat’s weight issues. Your veterinarian can assess your cat’s body condition, overall health, and risk factors. Together, you can set a realistic target weight and create a safe daily calorie plan, considering any underlying medical conditions that could affect your cat’s progress.
Read also: Guide to Raw Feeding for Cats
Diet History
A complete diet history is essential for developing an effective weight loss program. Provide your veterinarian with the precise names and brands of any commercial cat foods your cat receives, along with the specific amounts fed. If possible, measure dry pet foods with a gram scale. If not, use a standard 250 ml/8 oz measuring cup. Include details of any human foods or dietary supplements your cat receives.
Feeding Journal
Keep a 1-2 week feeding journal, recording the amount and exact type (brand) of food your cat consumes. This will help determine the caloric intake that has led to weight gain.
Calorie Restriction
As a rule of thumb, a cat needs 60-70% of the calories required to maintain its ideal weight to lose weight. Your veterinarian will calculate your cat’s tailored Step Weigh Loss Plan, involving a gradual, safe reduction in calories over time.
Therapeutic Weight-Loss Diet
Feed a therapeutic weight-loss diet formulated to provide adequate nutrition while safely reducing total calories. These diets have a higher nutrient-to-energy ratio to ensure your cat meets its protein, vitamin, and mineral needs despite energy restriction. High-protein, low-fat, low-to-moderate carbohydrate, and increased fiber content are common in weight-loss diets.
Portion Control
Ensure proper portions by weighing food on a gram scale, the most accurate measuring method. Aim for at least two meals per day on a consistent schedule. Automatic feeders can help establish regularly timed meals.
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Limit Treats
Opt for low-calorie treats or subtract a small portion of your cat's normal food from their daily amount and offer it as treats instead. For cats, small snacks of lean fish, egg, or poultry may help increase satiety. An 8-pound cat in an ideal body condition should receive only 20 calories from treats daily.
Feeding Strategies
- Feed more frequently, offering smaller meals to increase satiety and reduce begging behaviors.
- Use hunter-feeders and food puzzles to engage your cat's inner predator and provide mental stimulation around feeding.
- In multi-cat households, feed separately whenever possible. Place the overweight cat in one room and the healthy-weight cat in another during meals. After 15-30 minutes, remove any leftover food.
- Elevate food for agile cats. Feed the healthy-weight cat on a counter or cat tree where the overweight cat can’t reach.
- Avoid free feeding or grazing. Instead, establish a consistent feeding schedule with two to four set mealtimes per day.
Exercise and Environmental Enrichment
Caloric restriction alone is inadequate for weight loss. Incorporating modalities that increase calorie use and metabolic rate will help achieve the goal of losing weight.
Exercise
Activity supports weight loss and continued weight management. Engage your cat in laser pointer or flashlight play, offer a variety of toys, and provide cat trees or other climbing structures.
Interactive Play
Use feather toys, motion toys, boxes, paper bags, balls, or anything that your cat finds interesting to chase and play with. Engage your cat daily in at least two 5 to 15-minute exercise and play sessions.
Environmental Enrichment
Environmental enrichment contributes to weight loss programs by promoting increased activity and improving client commitment. Provide additional food dishes, water bowls, litter boxes, climbing trees, window perches, scratching posts, grooming supplies, and toys.
Indoor Hunting
Move the food bowl every few days so that the cat has to look for it on different levels and in different rooms of the house. Place tiny portions of the calculated daily ration onto small plates or in muffin liners for a "treasure hunt" throughout the day. Use indoor hunting feeders to simulate predation behaviors and movement.
Outdoor Activities
Take your cat for a walk using a harness and leash. Start slowly and be patient with your cat. Choose a harness that is specifically designed for cats and fits comfortably. Avoid using a collar. Choose a leash that is lightweight and short (4-6 feet) to maintain control of your cat. Before going outside, let your cat wear the harness around the house for a few minutes each day and practice with the leash indoors. Start with short walks around your yard or a quiet and safe area. Allow your cat to explore at their own pace and keep the leash loose. After each exercise or walk, reward your cat by giving them low-calorie treats and praise when they do well. Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for potential dangers, such as other animals or traffic. If your cat seems uncomfortable or scared, immediately return home.
Monitoring Progress and Adjustments
Weigh your pet every one to three months and make changes and adjustments as needed. If your cat’s weight loss stalls after 90 days, reassess and adjust the calories, macronutrients, food format, or brand.
Recheck Visits
Regular follow-up visits with your veterinarian are essential for a successful program. Create a bar graph to maintain in the clinic computer and cat’s medical record. Send an updated graph home with the client at every visit as a good reminder of their success.
Gradual Transition
When switching your cat to a new food, transition slowly over a week or more to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Gradually add the new diet over a minimum of one to two weeks. Start by substituting one-quarter of the new diet for two to three days, then increase to one-half of the total volume of food for another two to four days, then three-quarters of the new food for a final three to five days before completely switching to the new diet.
Addressing Begging Behaviors
- Pet, scratch, brush, or play with your cat when it begs for food. Many cats will be happy to substitute food for affection.
- Feed three to six small meals, including a last evening feeding.
- Offer fresh water instead of food.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Losing weight can be particularly challenging in cats. Be patient, as most cats will achieve their ideal weight within 6-12 months. The typical minimum weight loss per month for a healthy adult cat is about 0.5 lbs (0.25 kg). Ideally, weight reduction should aim for losing closer to 1 lb (.5 kg) per month. Some cats may need to lose weight more slowly, while others may shed excess fat more quickly.
Hepatic Lipidosis
Cats are particularly susceptible to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which can occur if they lose weight rapidly. Never put your cat on a diet without the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. Cats must not lose weight too quickly and should lose no more than 1% to 2% of their body weight per week.
Picky Eaters
If your cat resists the new food, try warming it slightly or mixing in a small amount of tuna water or low-sodium broth to increase palatability. If your cat does not eat for 48 consecutive hours, see a veterinarian.
Multi-Cat Households
If one cat is of normal weight and the other is diagnosed with obesity, feed separately whenever possible. Place the overweight cat in one room and the healthy-weight cat in another during meals. Elevate food for agile cats. Feed the healthy-weight cat on a counter or cat tree where the overweight cat can’t reach.
The Role of L-Carnitine
L-carnitine helps protect the liver during weight loss. Consider feeding your cat diets high in L-carnitine or supplementing their L-carnitine consumption with low-calorie treats or a supplement.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Weight management doesn’t end when the target weight is reached. Maintenance is just as critical as the weight-loss phase. Weight control food for cats is a great tool for both losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. As with any species, it's easier to maintain a healthy weight than to shed excess pounds, so be proactive.