The Dangers of Obesity in Cats

Obesity in cats is a growing problem in North America. Reports estimate that up to 50% of cats are overweight or obese. This is a concern as obesity has been linked to a number of health issues in cats. In this article, I'll review and discuss the dangers of obesity in cats and what you can do to help your cat lose weight.

What is obesity in cats and why is it a problem?

Obesity in cats occurs when the caloric intake is greater than the amount of calories they use. Obesity incites a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the fat cell's response to being deprived of oxygen.

Many reports suggest that 40% of cats are either overweight or obese. This number increases with the age of the cat.

When do we classify a cat as obese? When the weight is 20% or greater than what would be considered ideal for that cat. Obesity in cats has been linked to a number of health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes (insulin resistance), arthritis, kidney disease, and reduced life expectancy.

The medical dangers of obesity in cats

As we've discussed, obesity has been linked to a variety of health problems in cats. Here are some of the main concerns with obesity in cats:

Cardiovascular disease

Obesity in cats can negatively affect cardiovascular functions. There is an increased risk of heart thickening, high blood pressure and reduced oxygen delivery to the heart.
Additionally, cats with obesity also have reduced lung function due to decreased lung volume.

Arthritis

Cats who are obese are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. Fat and adipose tissue release inflammatory mediators that can inflame the joints, and the extra weight puts more stress on bones and joints.

Kidney disease

There have been reports of kidney damage in cats with obesity. The kidneys can become scarred and thickened when your cat is obese.

Insulin resistance

Cats that are obese are at a very high risk of developing insulin resistance and subsequent type 2 diabetes, which will often require insulin therapy.

Shorter lifespan

Obese cats have a shorter lifespan than cats that are lean. In one study, it was shown that 12-year-old obese cats had 3 times higher mortality rate compared to healthy weight cats. Another finding showed that in the same age group, 53% of obese cats survived while 83% of cats with an optimal body condition score survived.

In summary, cats that are an ideal weight have a longer lifespan compared to cats that are obese

Management strategies for obesity in cats

Obesity in cats needs to be managed by limiting their calories and making them burn more energy. Strategies to achieve this are adjusting what and how you are feeding your cat(s), improving exercise and reducing caloric intake.

This can be done by changing how you feed them, getting them to exercise more, and reducing how many calories they consume.

Dietary recommendations

There are a variety of diets formulated to help cats lose weight. Some diets are low in fat and high in fiber, while others are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Both types of diets have been successful in helping cats lose weight. However, some of the high protein/low carbohydrate diets are calorically dense, meaning that you will need to feed your cat a smaller amount of food than other weight-loss diets. High protein/low carbohydrate diets can help promote satiety, or feelings of fullness, in cats.

Many other weight-loss diets for cats use strategies like high fiber content (10-15% of dry matter) to help decrease appetite, fill them up without extra calories, and add healthy dietary bulk. This allows you to feed a larger volume of food and limit the begging behaviour that is typically seen when cats are fed smaller portions.

Canned food leads to more successful weight loss in cats than dry food. This is because canned food contains more water, so the cat can eat a greater volume of it without gaining as much weight. One study showed that cats who ate canned food gained less weight than those who ate dry food.

Exercise and physical activity

Cats need to burn more calories, and the best way to do this is through exercise. Getting your cat to exercise can be difficult, but there are a few things you can try. One is to get them a cat tower or other climbing structure. This will give them something to climb and play on, and it will also help them burn more calories. You can also try playing with your cat using a toy that encourages them to run and chase.

If you live in a house with levels, you can change where you feed your cat on a daily basis. Cats love the "hunting" aspect of this, and searching around leads to more calories burned!

Finally, you can try feeding your cat their meals in puzzle feeders or food-dispensing toys. This will make them work for their food and help them burn more calories.

Research has shown that increasing play by as little as 10-15 minutes per day was beneficial for weight loss in cats.