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It’s no secret that there are a lot of cats out there with some… extra fluff. But even if your cat isn’t a “CHONK,” chances are you have seen one. As cute as the extra fluff is, being overweight can lead to several health problems. That’s why we’re going to share how to prevent cat obesity and explain why it’s dangerous for Mr. Whiskers to have that extra fluff.
How Many Cats Are Overweight?
Many cat owners don’t realize their furry friends have too much fluff. But cats are considered overweight when they weigh 10-20% above their ideal body weight, and they’re considered obese when they weigh more than 20%. In fact, it is estimated that 59% of cats in the United States are considered either overweight or obese, according to research by The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Of this 59%, 28% are overweight and 31% are considered “clinically obese,” which is over 30% above the ideal weight for a cat. Needless to say, cat obesity is becoming an epidemic. But why does it matter?
What Are The Dangers for Overweight Cats?
Like humans, overweight cats are in danger because the extra weight increases the risk for preventable health conditions. Weight issues in cats can lead to many types of cancer, joint damage, chronic pain, and inflammation. But the risks don’t stop there. Some of the most common obesity-related issues in cats are: Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes, Asthma, Liver Disease, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Failure, Gall Bladder Disorder, and Immobility of the Spine. These common issues were found by Nationwide, which is the nation’s largest provider for pet health insurance. Nationwide found these top obesity-related conditions in dogs and cats by sorting through their database of over 630,000 insured pets.
Shortened Life Span
Due to the increased risk for so many life-threatening diseases, it’s no surprise that overweight cats also have shorter lifespans. In fact, overweight cats can live up to 5-10 years less than healthy-weight cats. Since indoor house cats live for an average of 15-17 years (but can live 20+ years,) this means that, depending on the severity of the cat’s weight. Now you may be wondering, how much should cats weigh?
How Much Should Cats Weigh?
According to PetMD, most cats should weigh about 10 pounds. However, a cat’s ideal weight can vary greatly by breed. For example, a Siamese cat may weigh as few as 5 pounds, while a healthy Maine Coon can be 25 pounds. This is why it’s important to ask your veterinarian what the ideal weight is for your cat.
To determine if your cat is overweight, your vet will use the Body Condition System (BCS), which is basically the pet version of the human Body Mass Index (BMI). There are two versions of the BCS scale, one ranging from 1-5 and the other from 1-9. The 1-9 scale can identify subtle changes in weight and the 1-5 scale has fewer categories. Either way, an overweight pet is referenced by the higher scale numbers. For example, a cat would be considered too heavy if they score above a 3 on the 1-5 scale or above a 5 on the 1-9 scale. So now, what do you do to prevent cat obesity? Or should I say… What if you find out your cat is “too CHONK?”
How to Prevent Obesity in Cats
To prevent obesity, the most important thing you can do is feed your cat an appropriate diet. Just keep in mind that the best diet for one cat may not be ideal for another because cats have different needs, and those needs also vary throughout the different stages of their lives. This is why it’s crucial to ask your veterinarian what the best diet is for your cat. But until you make it to that appointment, we did find expert recommendations for you.
First, experts say to check the food label to read the ingredient list. A study found that a shocking 43% of pet owners don’t read the food label before buying it. which means many cats might not be eating an ideal diet. Here’s a “pro-tip” for reading labels: Look for a nutritional adequacy label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which is a nonprofit organization that assesses what’s in pet food. That way if you see the label, you can be confident that it’s nutritionally appropriate.
Another important tip is to make sure meat is listed as the first ingredient because food labels are listed with the most abundant ingredients first. Remember that cats are carnivores and need more protein than other species. Bruce Kornreich, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, says “If meat and meat by-products are among the first ingredients listed, it suggests the food likely has enough animal-source ingredients to provide essential amino acids and fatty acids.” When checking the label, also look for whole ingredients like fruits, vegetables, rice, and oats or potatoes, because these ingredients are also important for our feline friends.
If your cat is overweight, VCA Hospitals recommends feeding them weight management food, which is scientifically made to help with safe weight reduction in cats. Some options they recommend are: Hills® Prescription diet metabolic, Royal Canin® Satiety Support Weight Management, and Purina Overweight Management®. But these are only a handful of many great options.
Just keep in mind that you should never reduce the recommended food portion or have your cat skip meals because that would lead to undernourishment. Also, while the type of food is part of the equation, portion control is also key when it comes to managing your cat’s weight.
Portion Control
When it comes to portion control, experts also recommend that cat parents avoid feeding table scraps and regulate the number of treats given. But no matter what brand of food your cat eats, it’s important to feed them appropriate portions for their weight and age. Recommendations range between 24 to 35 calories a day per pound, to keep cats at a normal, healthy weight. But as we mentioned earlier, cats have different needs, which is why it’s important to run your cat’s diet by your vet. A great way to manage portion control and prevent cat obesity is to get an automatic feeder. Now it’s time to take a quick break to tell you about this article’s sponsor: WOpet.
WOpet Boost Automatic Cat and Dog Feeder
One WOpet product that we find helpful to prevent overeating is their Automatic Pet Feeder. While they have a few different models, the one we have is the “WOpet Boost Automatic Cat and Dog Feeder 4-Meal, 7 Liter.”
Our favorite thing about this feeder is that it allows for flexible meal schedules. Personally, there have been countless times that Maggie has demanded breakfast before our alarm clock goes off. I don’t know about you, but I like my sleep! With WOpet, my wife and I now schedule the feeder to release food at the time Maggie likes her breakfast, and we don’t have to get up before our alarm anymore! The timer is also helpful for days when we get home late. Now we don’t have to worry about rushing home because WOpet has us covered.
The feeder supports up to 4 meals per day with up to 9 portions per meal, which is perfect if you have multiple cats. You can even record your voice calling your pet to come and eat. Also, we live in an area that gets a lot of power outages. But with this feeder, we don’t have to worry because it has a backup battery just in case the power goes out.
Right now WOpet is offering 10% off this feeder on Amazon for a limited time. When you add the product to your cart, all you have to do is click on the “Save an extra 10% when you apply this coupon” option right here. The best part is that all WOPet products have a 12-month warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee. So consider getting your cat this pawsome automatic feeder.
Exercise
Aside from diet, it’s also crucial to provide opportunities for your cat to exercise to prevent obesity. The easiest and more effective way to do this is to provide interactive toys for your cat to play with. Fishing poles and laser pointers are a couple of many fun toys that will get your cat moving. You can also add in “food puzzles,” which make cats work for their treats. These work by making the cat move around to get the treats out of the puzzle.
Playing with your cat is also an excellent way to bond with them, because eventually they may become more attached because they’ll associate you with “fun.” Since cats are most active at dawn and dusk, PetMD recommends playing with your cat around these times or around mealtime. While the best amount of playtime varies depending on a cat’s age and ability, it’s generally recommended to aim for at least 20 minutes a day.
Regular Check-Ups
Also, consider weighing your cat regularly. Pounds can creep up slowly, so monitoring your cat’s weight can allow you to nip a weight problem from the start. Finally, remember to schedule an annual check-up with your veterinarian. During this check-up, the vet will assess your cat’s weight and recommend an appropriate diet and exercise plan to maintain or reduce weight.
Why Are So Many Cats Overweight?
Finally, you may be wondering, why are so many cats overweight? According to Vet Innovations, there are multiple factors, one being lack of awareness. With obesity being so common in both humans and pets, many people don’t realize their cat is overweight. With that said, cat owners can’t fix a problem if they don’t know there’s a problem in the first place. Even if an owner knows their cat is too “chonky,” they may not realize just how many extra pounds their cat carries.
According to Purina, “a single excess pound on a Domestic Shorthair cat is equal to 14 to 15 pounds on a 5’4″ woman.” Another reason is lack of compliance. If someone is given a diet plan for their cat, it’s often difficult for them to comply with portion control or weight maintenance programs, especially if they have multiple cats. Then there’s poor feeding habits.
It’s pretty common for cat parents to overfeed and not exercise their cats. It’s also common for cats to be given high-calorie foods, treats, and table scraps. Some owners also feed their cats for emotional reasons like showing love through extra feeding or by using treats as frequent rewards.
Finally, there are also reasons that are not in the owner’s control such as genetic components and susceptibilities within certain breeds. However, even with genetic reasons, we can still prevent cat obesity with quality lifestyle changes and healthy habits.
DISCLAIMER: The Purring Journal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions, at no cost to you, by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please note that WOpet sponsored this video and sent me the automatic feeder for free. However, I only affiliate with products that I truly enjoy or find helpful, and commissions help support this blog. In addition, this article is made for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. ALWAYS seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
Resources
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-cats
https://news.nationwide.com/pet-obesity-on-the-rise-for-seventh-straight-year/
seniorcatwellness.com/how-long-do-fat-cats-live/
https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/healthy-weight-for-your-cat#1
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/body-condition-scores
https://www.purina.com/sites/g/files/auxxlc196/files/2021-01/BodyCondition_Cat_122120.pdf
https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/readinglabels#adequacy
https://www.nbcnews.com/shopping/pets/best-cat-food-n1235804
https://www.petmd.com/cat/wellness/evr_ct_exercising_with_your_cat_a_how_to_guide
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
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