Excess weight can lead to several health issues in cats, including diabetes, arthritis, and liver disease. This makes maintaining a healthy weight crucial for your cat’s overall well-being and longevity. As little as two pounds above your cat’s ideal weight can put it at risk of developing some serious medical conditions. A cat with obesity is estimated to be approximately three times more likely to develop diabetes than a cat with a healthy body condition.
Understanding Feline Obesity
Obesity is defined as being overweight by 15 to 20 percent of an ideal body weight. Since our pets vary dramatically in body size and shape, published charts may not be as useful. Overweight pets are at risk for a variety of health problems, including skin infections, high blood pressure, heart disease, immune suppression, diabetes mellitus, orthopedic and arthritic disorders and some forms of cancer.
Studies indicate that overweight cats with obesity live shorter lives than their normal-weight counterparts. Cats suffering from obesity typically tend to interact less with their families and may exhibit less energy and playfulness.
Common Feline Weight-Related Disorders
Common feline weight-related disorders 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
Ongoing research continues to uncover the potential severity of extra adipose tissue in cats.
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Risk Factors for Obesity in Cats
There are a variety of non-medical factors that have been shown to predispose animals to obesity. These include early-onset obesity, old age, overweight owners, a sedentary lifestyle (especially common for indoor cats), competition for food and a free-fed diet (as opposed to meal-fed).
Determining if Your Cat Needs to Lose Weight
To determine if your cat needs to lose weight, use a body condition score (BCS) chart. This chart helps assess whether your cat is underweight, ideal, overweight, or obese. A very thin cat (1/9) would have visible ribs, spine and hip bones. A very obese cat (9/9) would have a layer of fat over his/her ribs, fat deposits in front of the hips and near the neck and a distended abdomen. A healthy cat has a visible waistline and ribs that are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat.
The Importance of Gradual Weight Loss
Cats must not lose weight too quickly and should lose no more than 1% to 2% of their body weight per week. While you might be tempted to push for rapid weight loss, this approach can be dangerous for cats. Cats are particularly susceptible to a serious condition called hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver disease, which can occur if they lose weight rapidly.
If a cat doesn’t eat for as little as two to three consecutive days, whether due to stress, underlying illness, or changes to diet or environment, they can develop a life-threatening form of liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Hepatic lipidosis can be serious and potentially life-threatening if left untreated. Unfortunately, overweight and cats with obesity are at a great risk for developing hepatic lipidosis.
Working with Your Veterinarian
Helping your cat achieve a healthy weight and body condition requires veterinary supervision because of the risks of serious health consequences, including liver failure. Work With Your Veterinarian for Safe, Step-by-Step Weight Loss PlanWhat works for one cat may not be safe for another. Before starting a weight-loss program, ask your veterinarian to assess your cat’s body condition, overall health, and risk factors.
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Never put your cat on a diet without the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. Rule out and/or treat underlying medical conditions and diseases before beginning weight-loss reduction in cats. A medical condition could be a possible cause or contributor to your cat’s weight issues. Together, you can set a realistic target weight and create a safe daily calorie plan, taking into account any underlying medical conditions that could affect your cat’s progress.
Regular check-ups can help monitor your cat’s progress and allow necessary adjustments to their weight loss plan. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a specific diet that will best fit your pet’s dietary requirements.
Dietary Strategies for Weight Loss
Diet plays a pivotal role in your cat’s weight loss journey. In order for a pet to lose weight, any underlying medical conditions must be treated or ruled out. If there are no underlying problems, then the key to losing weight goes back to the basics, meaning your cat must utilize more calories than he/she consumes.
Choose the Right Food
Opt for high-protein, low-carbohydrate cat food designed for weight management. Feed a therapeutic weight-loss diet. It is important not to simply “feed less” of a maintenance diet. By reducing the amount of maintenance food, you also reduce the amount of essential nutrients your cat needs to remain healthy. Therapeutic weight-loss diets are formulated to provide adequate nutrition while safely reducing total calories.
Wet food contains a lot of water: 75% to 78% moisture compared to 10% to 12% water in dry food. What's more, the water in canned food helps fill cats up, even when they consume fewer calories.
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Control Portions
Overfeeding is one of the greatest contributors to weight gain in cats. Measure your cat’s food with a measuring cup and stick to the recommended portion sizes that your veterinarian recommends. Measure or weigh your cat’s food and treats to provide precise feeding portions.
Limit Treats
Treats can add a large number of unnecessary calories to your cat’s diet. For example, an 8-pound cat in an ideal body condition should receive only 20 calories from treats daily. Cutting down on snacks and/or treats is the first step to reducing energy intake.
When your cat begs, you should respond by petting, exercising or playing. If you do feed treats, be sure to use them sparingly. When treats are used, reduce your cat's regular meals to compensate for the extra calories. Only low-calorie treats or catnip should be given.
Feeding Schedules and Locations
All meals and treats should be fed only in your cat’s bowl. This will help prevent overfeeding since it requires more effort from you and your family. You should also separate your cat from the kitchen or other areas where food is prepared or eaten to eliminate the temptation to give “people food.” Separating the cat from other household animals while feeding can reduce competitive eating and food sharing as well.
Do not use a manual gravity-dispensed self-feeder. While this seems obvious, these types of “auto-feeders” are nothing more than unlimited food dispensers. The same rule applies to community food bowls or indiscriminate refilling: “Just fill their bowl to the top, honey!” is a recipe for weight gain in cats. Portion control and caloric restriction are the most effective and safe methods to help your cat reach a healthy weight.
What to do if one cat is of normal weight and the other is diagnosed with obesity?
While there are countless creative solutions to this problem, here are a few we’ve found most successful:
- 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.
- Use food puzzles or slow feeders. These help overweight cats eat more slowly, burn calories through play, and stay mentally stimulated.
- Track food intake and weight. Regular monitoring helps prevent overeating and allows for quick adjustments if one cat is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly.
Exercise and Enrichment
Exercise is as important as diet for weight loss. You must take an active role in exercising your pet if you want him/her to lose weight. If your cat is not used to activity, you will need to gradually increase the amount of exercise he/she receives. Begin exercising for 10 minutes multiple times per week and increase the activity until you reach at least 30 minutes daily.
Reduce stress at mealtimes. Cats need at least 15-20 minutes of exercise daily. Engage your cat for five to ten minutes of play and exercise two to three times each day. You can do this in short bursts of a few minutes each. It doesn’t have to be all at once. There are many toys that move that your cat may also find interesting. Play “Find the Food.” Move the food bowl upstairs or downstairs and rotate it so that the cat always has to walk to get to its food bowl.
Interactive Play
Engage your cat with interactive toys, such as feather wands, laser pointers, and motorized toys. These stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts and encourage them to chase, pounce, and leap.
Environmental Enrichment
Create an environment that encourages physical activity. Place climbing trees, scratching posts, and cat shelves around your home to motivate your cat to climb and explore.
Indoor Hunting Feeders and Puzzle Toys
Use indoor hunting feeders to simulate predation behaviors and movement. Use puzzle toys. Using puzzles can help cats with weight loss by promoting slower eating and portion control.
These toys and feeders can encourage cats to use their natural hunting instincts to "hunt" for their food. It can provide mental stimulation and keep cats from getting bored. As APOP Founder Dr. Ernie Ward says, “Engage your cat’s inner predator!”
Interactive Play Ideas
Make sure your play area is free of hazards and obstacles so your cat doesn’t get injured. Use feather toys, motion toys, boxes, paper bags, balls, or anything that your cat finds interesting to chase and play with.
Catnip
Try catnip. Catnip is an herb that contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone. When a cat smells or ingests catnip, it can stimulate its senses and make them more playful and energetic. However, not all cats are sensitive to catnip, and the effects can vary from cat to cat.
Walking Your Cat
Take your cat for a walk. Taking your cat for a walk can be a fun way to provide exercise and enrichment for your feline companion. However, it's important to keep in mind that not all cats enjoy being walked on a leash, so you should start slowly and be patient with your cat.
- Choose the right harness and leash. Look for a harness that is specifically designed for cats and fits your cat comfortably. Avoid using a collar. If a cat pulls forcefully on a thin collar, it can potentially injure its neck. Also, 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. This will help your cat get used to the feeling of the harness and leash.
- 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. This will help create positive associations with the experience.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Always keep an eye out for potential dangers, such as other animals or traffic. If your cat seems uncomfortable or scared, immediately return to the safety of your home.
Monitoring Progress
Track your cat’s weight and body condition by weighing them every two weeks and noting any changes. Adjust their diet and exercise plan as needed, based on their progress. The exact time it will take your pet to lose weight will depend on how much weight your cat has to lose and how much exercise he/she receives. As a guideline, cats can safely lose about 1.5 percent of their body weight per week until they are at their desired weight.
During the diet period, your cat’s weight should be checked every two to four weeks. Since obesity creates a predisposition for gaining weight, your cat will likely need to be kept on a diet food to maintain his/her ideal body weight. When appropriate, a change in the diet itself or the daily amount may be recommended.
Weigh your pet monthly, especially during the first three months. If you do not observe the expected weight loss within 90 days, some aspect of the weight reduction program likely needs to be changed. Typical weight-loss diet changes include reducing daily calories or attempting to increase physical activity, adjusting macronutrients (e.g., increasing protein), or trying another brand of pet food.
Dealing with a Begging Cat
Our cats have often trained us well. Here are some tips when dealing with a cat begging for food: Pet your cat or play with it when it begs for food. Many cats will be happy to substitute food for affection, so flip the equation, and you may find that playtime displaces chow-time. Feed three to six small meals, including a last evening feeding. Dr. Ernie Ward calls this a “Midnight Snack,” which typically consists of a small portion of a high-protein food or treat offered just before bedtime. This “extra dinner” can help with unwanted feeding behaviors. Divide the total daily food volume or calories into three to six small meals. Whatever you do, don’t feed extra food simply because your cat asks you to! When the bowl is empty, and your cat is asking for more, try adding a few kibbles to the bowl. By a few, limit it to no more than five to ten tiny kibbles. Offer fresh water instead of food.
Considerations for Senior Cats
Senior cats are more likely to develop health problems, especially if they are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight can add years to a pet's life, improve their quality of life, and delay many chronic diseases that occur with aging.
When choosing among the best senior cat foods, it's important to work with your veterinarian to determine your pet's specific needs. Some cats may require a diet with lower levels of phosphorus, sodium, or protein, while others may benefit from a high-protein diet. Many senior cat foods also contain ingredients like fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin that can help improve mobility and reduce inflammation.
Selecting the Right Weight Loss Food
When shopping for the best weight loss foods for cats, you'll want to consider the following criteria:
- AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that provides nutritional guidelines for pet food. An AAFCO statement indicates that a food meets the nutritional needs of cats based on their life stage.
- Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis on a pet food label shows the percentages of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Food for adult cats, including seniors, must have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat. The best weight loss foods for cats generally contain low to moderate fat and high fiber.
- Ingredients list: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. As obligate carnivores, cats must eat diets made up of animal-based proteins. So, animal proteins in the form of whole meat, meat meal, or animal byproducts should appear first on the ingredients list of any cat food.
- Expert formulations: Expert formulation is even more important when it comes to weight loss diets since the best weight loss foods for cats are developed to provide more nutrients per serving, with fewer calories.
- Manufacturing standards: We expect commercial cat food brands to be transparent about their quality control measures. This means providing information about the types of tests they conduct, how often they test, and the results of those tests.
Weight management foods generally have fewer calories per serving but are nutrient-dense to meet nutritional needs. However, the calorie needs of adult cats can vary depending on their age, ideal weight, and overall health.
Gradual Diet Transition
Changing your cat’s diet too quickly can cause digestive upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to eat. A gradual transition helps your cat’s stomach adjust and reduces the risk of these problems.
If you notice any vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of digestive upset, slow down the transition process and consult your veterinarian.
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. It is vital that you closely monitor and record calories when starting a weight reduction program.
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.