Cats come in all different shapes and sizes, which means it can be difficult to give a cat a standard ideal weight. However, every cat will have its own healthy weight, and pet owners should try to keep their cats in good physical condition.Overweight and obesity are a growing problem in pet cats and have been linked to many health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease1.
quick overview
01
Being overweight can affect a cat’s health and well-being, so pet owners should take steps to keep their cats in good physical condition.
02
Common causes of weight gain include excessive food intake, lack of exercise, age, and sterilization status.
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Sometimes, an underlying medical problem can be the cause of a cat’s weight gain.
Obesity in felines is rarely caused by medical conditions, and the causes of weight gain usually focus on overfeeding and physical inactivity. Let’s delve into the ins and outs of cat weight gain, and what you can do as a pet parent.
What is the ideal weight for a cat?
Cat weight varies by breed, sex, age and size. Every cat has a different ideal weight, which is best judged by assessing their body condition. Check your cat’s physical condition regularly, perhaps as part of a grooming or dental hygiene routine, so that even small amounts of extra weight or weight loss can show up quickly.
Assess the cat’s body condition by gentle touch, as fur can make visual assessment inaccurate. You should be able to easily feel the cat’s ribs along the sides with your hands, but the ribs should not be visible. Your cat should have a “tummy” (a pronounced waistline) with only a small amount of fat around the abdomen. An overweight cat may have fat accumulation around the lower back and abdomen, no waist, and ribs that will be hidden by excess weight.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has published a practical guide Cat Body Condition Score. Once you understand how to assess your cat’s condition, it may be helpful to weigh them to keep track of the numbers.
If you do not have a small scale to weigh your cat, the following methods are useful for weighing your cat at home:
- A family member weighs himself first.
- The person is then weighed again holding the cat.
- Subtract the human weight from the total weight to leave the cat weight.
Due to the small size of cats, small changes in their weight can be significant, hence the need for an accurate scale.
Also read: Cat Obesity Chart: Know If Your Cat Is Obese
Reasons Cats Gain Weight
If you have had your cat’s body condition evaluated and think they may be overweight, or have seen weight gain and are trying to avoid obese cats, it is important to determine why your cat is gaining weight. Knowing the “why” is required to address this . Read on for the most common causes of weight gain.
#1 Improper food intake
A cat’s diet is important in many ways, but its mainstay is providing the nutrients and energy your cat needs for everyday life. When choosing pet food, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
A cat’s nutritional needs vary based on age and activity level, so it’s important to choose a diet that is balanced, complete and designed for its life stage. It’s also worth noting that cats are carnivores, which means they require a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Cat foods vary in their nutrient content, with some diets being higher in fat and carbohydrates than others. For example, a diet suitable for kittens may cause weight gain if fed to an adult cat, since kittens require high-energy foods that are high in fat and calories.
It is also necessary to feed the right amount of food that the cat needs.Overeating is the leading cause of obesity in cats2。 You can choose to feed wet or dry food, or a combination, as long as the given amounts are correct.
Food packages should give you guidelines for how much to feed your cat, but keep in mind that these amounts may need to be adjusted for your cat if she gains or loses more weight than recommended. Some owners opt for “free feeding,” which means setting aside cat food (usually dry food) for the cat to eat as much as he wants. Some cats self-regulate pretty well, but some cats will eat and eat and eat whenever they get the chance, so this method won’t work for all cats.
Also Read: 7 Best Cat Foods for Overweight Cats
#2 lack of exercise
Cats are designed to be active, with athletic, graceful bodies and predatory and territorial lifestyles. Modern domestic cats have less need for activity, their food is helpfully kept in a bowl, and they have smaller territories than their wild ancestors.
Inactivity is associated with not burning enough calories, making excessive weight gain more likely.Indoor and senior cats are particularly prone to sedentary lifestyles and their food intake should be adjusted accordingly2.
READ ALSO: Why Cats Need Exercise and 5 Things to Consider
#3 age
Older cats tend to be less active than adult cats, have lower dietary calorie needs, and generally sleep more than younger cats. They may also have certain health conditions, such as arthritis, that affect activity levels. For all of these reasons, older cats are especially prone to obesity.
Also read: Why is my cat not eating?cat loss of appetite
#4 Neuter/Neuter Status
Once cats are neutered, their metabolism changes, resulting in reduced calorie needs2. Therefore, neutered and neutered cats are more likely to be overweight than intact cats. Spaying and neutering cats is still recommended for a number of reasons, and this cause of weight gain can be avoided by changing their diet after surgery.
Also read: How much does it cost to spay or neuter a cat?
#5 Health status
A small number of health problems can cause cats to gain weight. Some examples include:
- Unlike dogs, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is very rare in cats.
- Acromegaly is a disorder involving increased production of growth hormone, which can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes and weight gain.
- Conditions that cause fluid retention, such as heart disease or feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), can cause abdominal swelling.
- Some medications such as corticosteroids can cause increased appetite and weight gain.
- Some health problems, such as arthritis or respiratory disease, can reduce exercise tolerance and thus activity levels, which can indirectly lead to weight gain.
Also read: How to Put a Cat on a Diet?
Why is weight gain so bad?
It is well documented that obesity contributes to many health conditions and reduces life expectancy1。 Overweight cats are more prone to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and more. Even a small amount of being overweight can be detrimental to a cat’s health. It can also limit activity and affect their overall health.
READ ALSO: How to Cope With a Cat’s Food Aggression
Managing Weight Loss in Cats
If you think your cat is overweight, be sure to consult your veterinarian first. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your cat’s weight and condition and help you develop a weight loss program if needed. Medical causes of the weight gain can be ruled out first, and they can then discuss nutrition with you and develop a meal plan for your kitty.
Gradual, sustained weight loss is recommended for obese cats. If weight is lost rapidly, cats may develop a serious liver disease called hepatic steatosis, as the liver becomes overwhelmed with fat metabolism.
Once medical issues have been ruled out, the mainstays of weight loss include diet control and increased activity.Your veterinarian will be able to advise Foods for Overweight Cats, and how much to feed the cat. If your cat seems hungry, try a puzzle feeder or treat balls to increase post-meal satisfaction and satiety.
It is important to stick to their per diem and avoid underpaying for extras.Increased activity can also help prevent weight gain, perhaps by using interactive toys Or those that encourage exercise, such as laser pointers.
Also Read: 10 Best Slow and Puzzle Feeders for Cats
Cat Weight Gain: Final Thoughts
Obesity is a common problem in pet cats and can have serious consequences. Weight gain due to medical conditions is uncommon and more often related to diet, lack of exercise, and sterilization. Older cats are also more prone to obesity due to their sedentary lifestyle and reduced caloric needs. It is important for cats to maintain an optimal body weight for their health and well-being.
Also read: Why is my cat stealing my other cat’s food?
frequently asked questions
What causes unexplained weight gain in cats?
Weight gain in cats is usually due to their diet (overfeeding) or lack of exercise. It can also be related to age, with older cats being more prone to obesity, or after neutering. Sometimes a medical condition can cause weight gain, such as fluid retention from heart disease.
Why is my cat gaining weight but not eating much?
If your cat is gaining weight but they are eating the same amount of food, it is possible that their energy needs have decreased – due to age, neutering or less exercise. Less commonly, a medical condition may cause weight gain, such as fluid retention from heart disease.
What Causes Weight Gain in Senior Cats?
Older cats tend to have lower energy needs, so they may gain weight if they eat a cat food more suitable for younger adult cats or kittens who need more calories. Older cats also tend to be less active, especially if they have health conditions such as arthritis.
view resources
German, A. (2006). “Obesity in dogs and cats is a growing problem.” Nutrition Magazine, 136(7), 1940-1946.
Colliard, L., Paragon, B. and Blanchard, G. (2009). “Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in an urban healthy cat population.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11(2).
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