Some of us have cats that are as good at begging for treats as dogs are, so what are the risks to our cat’s health if we give in too often and they get overweight?
I’d always thought it was more common for dogs to become overweight than cats, until we got Wilbur. Wilbur is our handsome British Shorthair cross who loves a treat and knows exactly how to get one, especially from the men in my family. One of my sons has even taught him to climb up his trouser leg to get his treat; quite painful now he’s full grown!
Icatcare.org estimate that between 39 and 52% of cats in UK are obese which is just as big a strain on a cat’s health as on our health, or our dog’s health. That’s why it’s important we understand the right weight for our cats, what can cause obesity, the risks of being overweight and how to help them lose a few pounds if need be.
How do you know if you cat is obese?
Roughly speaking, a cat is obese if at least 20% heavier than optimal for its size, and ‘overweight’ if 10-19% heavier than he should be. Weight alone is not the best indicator as cats vary in height, length and build so vets use a Body Condition Score (BCS) to assess a cat’s weight.
How does the Body Condition Score work?
The Body Condition Score grades the condition of a cat from 1 which is very thin to 3 which is ideal and 5 which is over-weight.
If I’m honest I think Wilbur may be a little over-weight although his coat is very thick so it’s difficult to be sure. If you’re not sure about your cat, ask your vet for their opinion.
What are the health risks of obesity in cats?
When a cat is obese it can create health problems. They are harder to anaesthetise effectively, can have a depleted immune system, have difficulty giving birth and can develop breathing problems. In addition, there is a risk they could develop one or more diseases because they are over-weight.
Diabetes mellitus
Similar to Type ll diabetes in humans, the condition in cats tends to be caused by a reduction in their ability to use the insulin they produce effectively. Over-weight and sedentary cats are more likely to develop this type of diabetes meaning their body can’t use insulin to break down glucose for the cells of the body to use for energy and can’t regulate glucose levels in their blood. Thankfully the condition can be managed, but it’s not straightforward by any means.
Typical symptoms are:
- Excessive urination and thirst
- Weight loss and increased appetite, sometimes
- Poor coat
- Weakness, especially in the back legs
- Sometimes they develop cystitis which can cause straining to urinate and blood in the urine.
Cystitis
Being over-weight can increase the chances that your cat will develop cystitis. The causes of cystitis are not always understood fully but cats that live in doors, move around little, are fatter than they should be and live with other cats tend to have it more often. Typical symptoms are straining to urinate, blood in the urine, excessive grooming around their genital area and crying out when urinating. If you cat shows any of these signs consult your vet for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Joint stress and aggravation of osteoarthritis
Naturally a cat carrying extra weight will put strain on their joints and if they have osteoarthritis the condition can be made much more painful. Keeping your cat to a normal weight will lessen the risk of joint strain or injuries.
Hepatic lipidosis
This type of liver disease can occur when excess fat gathers in the liver cells. This causes the liver to swell and can stop it working properly. It’s not common and most often seen in cats that were over-weight but suddenly stop eating, maybe because of another condition.
What are the factors that might cause a cat to become obese?
It’s thought that purebred cats are less likely to become obese than moggies, and there are also certain metabolic changes that can occur in a cat’s life that increase a cat’s chances of becoming over-weight or obese.
Neutered cats need about 20% less energy than non-neutered cats as their metabolism changes due to the hormonal changes they experience. In addition, entire cats tend to roam more, getting more exercise and are more likely to fight. Similarly, young cats under 2 years of age tend to be more energetic and are growing so need lots of energy. Cats between 2 and 10 years of age need less energy as they are fully developed and less active.
Making sure your cat always has food available can also lead to obesity, as can giving lots of high calorie treats, so try to resist their pleading now and again!
How do I help my cat lose weight safely?
Due to the risk of developing Hepatic lipidosis an over-weight cat needs to lose weight gradually. The best course of action is to consult your vet and ask them to draw up a diet plan for your cat that you can follow. Special diets contain more protein, less fat and are enriched with essential nutrients so their dietary needs are met, and your cat can safely lose weight while still eating enough to stay happy.
As cats are carnivores getting vet advice on how to change their diet is the best thing to do as just reducing their food quantities will reduce all nutrients, not just calories, and they might become less healthy, hungry and unhappy.
You can encourage your cat to take more exercise, playing games with them more frequently, providing more toys and climbing opportunities and generally encouraging them to be more active which will all help burn off fat. I’ve never met a cat who doesn’t enjoy fishing rod type toys or chasing a laser beam and a few 5-10 minute play sessions a day will help increase your cat’s activity levels. They’ll also love the attention and mental stimulation!
Planning for the unexpected
Despite our best efforts sometimes our pets do develop conditions that need expensive vet care and on occasion, as with diabetes, lifelong treatment. Buying pet Insurance for your kitten from a young age is the best way to make sure you can cover vet fees if your kitty does become ill. Take a look at your pet insurance options and read insurers reviews to make the right pet insurance choice for you and your cat.