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Obesity in cats
This blog post is about obesity in cats and the serious health problems that this disease can cause for cats.
Actualizado: 16/10/2023
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In this article, we will focus on treating a problem that, unfortunately, occurs very frequently in domestic kittens: Overweight and obesity in cats.
Overweight in cats is a disease that is not only serious in itself, but can contribute to the appearance of other more serious diseases such as obesity or diabetes, drastically reducing the quality and life expectancy of our cat.
What are overweight and obesity in cats?
It is estimated that an overweight cat is one with a body mass index higher than what is considered ideal for it according to its breed and sex. As an approximation, we can say that those cats that exceed their stipulated ideal weight by more than 10% are overweight.
A cat is considered obese when, due to its weight, it cannot carry out its daily activities and there is even the possibility that it has developed other diseases. Obesity is a serious condition: It hinders locomotor capacity, cardiovascular function, and tolerance to heat and exercise. A cat with a body mass greater than 15 or 20% of its ideal weight is obese.
The ideal weight of a cat
First of all, no two cats are the same even if they are the same breed. The sex and genetics of your cat, as well as its particularities as an individual, influence when identifying its ideal weight.
Here is some indicative data that can help you find out the ideal weight of your cat:
- Common European cat: Females: 3 - 4 kg | Males: 4 - 5 kg.
- Siamese: Females: 2 – 3.5 kg | Males: 3.5 - 4.5 kg.
- Persian: Females: 3 – 4.5 kg| Males: 4.5 - 5.5 kg.
- Maine Coon: Females: 4.5 – 6 kg | 6 - 11 kg.
How do I know if my cat is overweight?
For various reasons, many people find it difficult to visually identify whether or not their cat is overweight. Here we leave you a table with a few indicators that will help you know if your little one is at their ideal weight:
Underweight |
1 | The ribs, vertebrae, pelvis and other bony prominences stand out a lot. There is no palpable fat. Significant loss of muscle tissue. |
| 2 | The ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvis, and other bony prominences are easy to see. There is no palpable fat. | |
| 3 | The ribs are easily palpated and seen. There is no grease to the touch. The abdomen is contracted and there is a waist. The pelvic bones stand out. | |
ideal weight |
4 | The ribs are easily palpable, being covered by a minimal layer of fat. The waist can be seen dorsally. Abdomen contracted and firm. |
| 5 | Palpable ribs without excess fat, the waist can be seen behind the ribs in dorsal view. Laterally, the abdomen appears contracted. | |
Sobrepeso |
6 | The ribs are palpable under a light layer of fat. The waist is seen only in dorsal view, but is not prominent. There is some retraction of the abdomen. |
| 7 | The ribs are difficult to palpate and there is a thick layer of body fat that is most noticeable in the lumbar area and at the base of the tail. There is no waist or it is very little visible. The abdomen is slightly retracted. | |
| 8 | The ribs are only palpable under the thick layer of fat under strong pressure. Large fat deposits are observed in the lumbar area and base of the tail. There is no waist, the abdomen is flaccid and somewhat distended. | |
| 9 | Very large deposits of fat can be seen on the thorax, spine and base of the tail. Fat is also observed on the neck and extremities. There is no waist and the abdomen hangs. |
Factors that cause overweight and obesity
Overweight and obesity can appear due to a multitude of factors:
-The factor that commonly leads to overweight is related to poor diet, usually based on cereals and animal by-products, in which the cat ingests more calories than it really needs.
-Likewise, male cats and mixed-breed cats, in general, tend to be more predisposed to overweight and obesity.
- Did you know that your home can influence your physical activity, and therefore your weight? If your cat moves through closed spaces, its activity level is probably lower than that of a cat that has open spaces to explore. The stress you are subjected to will also influence whether you may develop problems related to eating.
- A cat becomes an adult when it is one year old. Its growth period has ended and, therefore, it needs much less food. It is important to consult the dosage table of your food to give only what you need.
- How much physical activity do you do? If your cat is rather lazy and naps are his favorite activity in the world... then consider that the caloric intake he consumes must be proportional to his level of daily exercise.
- Spaying or neutering. Some think that sterilizing a cat has a direct consequence of becoming overweight, but this is not the case in all cases. We must adapt the dosage of his food to his new state and the daily activity he performs.
Natural Greatness - Weight Control: For overweight or obese cats
In cases where the cat is overweight or obese and, therefore, a specific diet is required, Natural Greatness offers you the Weight Control wet veterinary diet for junior and adult cats.
Weight Control wet diet for cats is drug-free. This is a specific formula to meet the needs of overweight or obese cats, discarding those nutrients that are inappropriate for their treatment.
It is a food formulated for overweight or obese cats of all breeds. It is therefore highly recommended for the treatment of diseases such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, constipation or colitis.
CEREAL-FREE diet, with high palatability, with restricted levels of energy and fats and with high amounts of fiber that help satisfy the cat's appetite.
We hope that this article on Overweight and Obesity in Cats has been very useful to you. Remember to visit our Weight Control for Cats recipe page for more information about the composition and properties of this special diet for weight loss.
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