How to Tell If Your Cat is Overweight or Obese - It's Signs and Treatment

According to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), "57 percent of cats in the United States are classified as overweight or obese by a veterinary health care provider". In 2001, a publication in the American Journal of Veterinary Research stated, "Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder encountered in small animal medicine."

Why is an overweight cat a concern?

Obesity can put cats at risk for osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and a decreased lifespan. Overweight cats may also become lethargic, have grooming problems, and have litter box issues.

How can you tell if you have an overweight cat?

The APOP website has a chart that can help you determine if your cat is overweight and to what degree they are overweight. The chart goes from a scale from 1 to 5 Body Condition Score. The ideal weight cat is rated a Body Condition Score 3. A Score 3 cat will have ribs and a spine that can be felt but not seen. This cat's waist can be viewed from above and it does sag when viewed from the side.

An overweight cat to obese cat will have a Body Condition Score of 4 to 5. Their ribs and spine will be hard to feel and observe. They may have noticeable fat deposits at the chest, hips, and at the base of their tail. When viewed from above, there is either no observable waist or the waist area is distended. When viewed from the side, their abdomen either sags or sags prominently.

The ideal healthy weight for your cat can depend on the gender and breed of the cat. The healthy weight of a small breed such as Siamese is around 5-10 lbs., while a large breed like the Maine Coon cat is around 11-15 lbs. If you are concerned whether or not you have an overweight cat, consult your veterinarian.

Since even a few extra pounds can put your cat's health at risk, helping your furry feline to shed that extra weight becomes essential. A veterinarian should evaluate overweight cats and obese cats before launching any weight loss program. Cats can develop a serious liver disease known as hepatic lipidosis if food is suddenly cut withheld.

How to help your cat lose weight.

Healthy weight loss for an overweight cat takes a variety of techniques. First determine your cat's ideal weight and how many calories it needs daily. Counting your cat's daily caloric intake is essential for weight loss. The APOP website has a great weight loss worksheet to help with calculations.

Helping your overweight cat to lose weight will take a change in diet and in exercise. Since cats are known more for their ability to sleep all day, you'll need to find creative ways to make them exercise. Something as simple as moving their food bowl's location constantly around the house will make them walk and get exercise. Finding toys your cat will chase will also contribute to their exercise program.

While your overweight cat is learning a new diet and exercise routine, you'll have to unlearn what your cat has trained you to do over the years. When your kitty starts meowing incessantly for food, play with him instead. Other great weight loss tips for cats and multi-cat households by Dr. Ernest Ward, Jr. can be found at petobesityprevention.com. With careful monitoring your cat can achieve its weight loss goals.

Sources:

http://www.petobesitypreventio/n.com

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb09/090215i.asp

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/images/Weight_Reductionin_Cats_General_Information.pdf