In the UK, 53% of cats are classified as overweight or obese. Preventing feline obesity is most effective during the first year of a cat's life. Some cat breeds are more prone to obesity than others. Additionally, 29% of small animals are overweight.

A cat is classified as overweight when its body weight is 10-20% above its ideal weight and considered an obese cat when excess fat exceeds 20%. Feline obesity is a common condition, affecting up to 65% of cats in developed countries. An overweight or obese cat faces increased risks, including weakened immunity, metabolic and endocrine disorders, cardiovascular issues, and arthritis. Risk factors like age, cat breed, and indoor only living significantly contribute to weight gain. Cat owners should assess their cat's body condition regularly, feed a balanced diet, monitor weight, and implement a weight loss plan if needed. Proper feeding strategies, such as a low carbohydrate diet or a mix of dry and canned food, are vital for maintaining an ideal weight. Monitoring your cat's rib visibility and body condition score can help tell if your cat is likely overweight. Early intervention, especially in cats aged 8-12 years, can prevent problems from growing and reduce the risk of obesity.

Your cat's ideal body weight is determined by various factors, including age, gender, and breed. To accurately assess your cat's ideal weight, it's essential to consult your vet, who can take these risk factors into account. Kittens will experience weight gain each month as they grow refer to our Kitten Care guide, while adult and senior cats generally weigh between 3.6-4.5kg, depending on size and breed. There’s no universal standard, so knowing your cat’s ideal weight involves understanding their specific body condition and any potential risk factors for becoming an overweight or obese cat.

Cat owners should be aware that cat feeding & nutrition practices, including the choice between dry food and canned food, as well as maintaining an appropriate loss diet, can significantly impact their cat's weight. Regularly monitoring your cat’s body condition score and activity level is crucial in preventing weight gain and reducing the risk of feline obesity. By implementing a tailored weight loss plan if needed, and keeping detailed medical records, you can help your cat achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reducing the likelihood of problems as they age.

In addition to visible weight gain, signs of obesity in cats include:

• Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
• Increased time spent sitting or lying down, with reluctance to move around
• Loss of a defined waistline
• Difficulty feeling your cat’s rib bones or hip bones
• A flat appearance when viewed from above or a rectangular profile from the side
• A dirty, unkempt coat
• A collar that continually becomes tighter
• Less frequent bowel movements or increased gas production

Obesity in cats can be attributed to both animal specific and diet specific factors, which contribute to weight gain and increased risk of feline obesity.

• Type of Diet: Cats fed primarily dry food are more likely to become overweight compared to those on a diet that includes a significant amount of canned food. A balanced diet is crucial for managing body weight.
• Inaccurate Food Measurement: Inconsistent food measurement can lead to overfeeding. Cat owners should use a standardized measuring cup and appropriate sized bowls to ensure accurate portions and support a weight loss plan.
• Rapid Food Consumption: If a cat eats too quickly, it may lead to boredom and begging, which can result in feeding more often and increasing the risk of obesity.
• Indulgent Feeding Practices: Feeding large meals once or twice a day may lead to weight gain and increased begging behavior. Instead, using small, frequent meals or free choice feeding can be more effective in maintaining a healthy body condition. For more information on appropriate feeding practices and what cats can eat, check out this guide on what can cats eat.
• Excessive Treats: Treats are often high in calories and fat, which can contribute to weight gain and disrupt a balanced diet. Limiting treats is important to avoid an imbalanced diet and support effective weight loss.

By understanding and addressing these factors, cat owners can better manage their cat's body weight and overall health, reducing the risk of obesity and promoting a healthier, happier feline companion.

Determining if your cat is overweight involves more than just checking the scale. To assess obesity in cats, you can look for these signs:

You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs with a slight layer of fat. If you struggle to feel the ribs, your cat may be an obese cat and at risk for feline obesity.

An overweight cat will often have a rounded belly when viewed from the side, whereas a cat in good body condition will have a slight tuck behind the ribs.

Looking down at your cat, a healthy weight cat will have a noticeable waist that narrows just behind the ribs. A cat with increased body weight may appear rounder in the middle.

While you should not see your cat’s spine, it should be possible to feel it beneath a thin layer of fat. If your cat is overweight, you may not be able to detect the spine at all.

If you’re unsure about your cat's body condition, consult your vet. They can accurately measure your cat's weight, review their medical record, and provide a weight loss plan if necessary.

Veterinarians diagnose obesity in cats by evaluating both body weight and a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart. These tools provide a standardized method for assessing a cat's body condition and include instructions to look at and feel specific areas. Body weight alone is not enough to diagnose feline obesity because two cats of the same weight may have different fat distributions over their skeletons.

To determine if your cat is overweight or an obese cat, your vet will use visual and tactile assessments. They will check how easily the ribs and hip bones are visible, whether a waistline is discernible, and if there are noticeable fat deposits under the belly.

Vets will also palpate the ribs to assess how well or poorly they can be felt. In cats with severe obesity, the ribs will be hard to detect due to a thick layer of fat, and the spine and hip bones may be covered by fat pads. The belly may appear distended with no visible waistline.

Additionally, your vet may identify other conditions linked to obesity through a physical exam or blood tests. These may include joint discomfort, high blood pressure indicating cardiovascular issues, or elevated blood glucose levels suggesting diabetes.

It’s crucial for your vet to conduct a thorough examination and perform bloodwork as needed to develop a personalized weight loss plan for your cat. This plan will take into account the cat’s activity level, diet (including dry food and canned food), and overall medical record to effectively manage and reduce the risk of feline obesity.

It’s important to give your veterinarian a thorough account of your cat’s environment and diet, including the types of food provided, amounts (measured by weight or scoop), and feeding times. This detailed information is essential for developing an effective weight loss plan for managing obesity in cats.

Your vet will first establish a daily caloric target to promote weight loss based on your cat’s health and body condition. They will then work with you to implement strategies to address feline obesity:

• Calorie-Restricted Foods: A calorie controlled diet is often recommended to facilitate weight loss while preserving lean muscle mass. Diets that are low in carbohydrates and fat, but high in protein and insoluble fiber, can help your cat feel full and manage their weight effectively.
• Dry vs. Canned Food: Switching from dry food to canned food may be necessary to meet nutritional goals for weight management. Avoid leaving moist food out at room temperature for more than 2-4 hours to prevent bacterial growth, and clean feeding dishes thoroughly with warm, soapy water between meals.
• Prescription Veterinary Diets: Specialized “metabolic control” prescription diets may assist in weight loss by promoting ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy rather than relying solely on carbohydrate derived glucose. This approach can be more effective than merely reducing caloric intake.

When changing your cat’s diet, transition to the new food gradually over 7-10 days to prevent gastrointestinal issues. Your vet will provide guidance on the exact amount of food to offer daily based on the caloric goal for weight loss. Accurate measurement of food is crucial using a gram scale is the most precise, and a specific volume measuring cup is a good alternative.

Discuss feeding strategies with your veterinarian to enhance the effectiveness of the weight loss plan:

• Bowl Selection: Use a cat-sized bowl that looks full or nearly full when food is added. Puzzle feeders can help slow down eating for cats that need encouragement to eat more slowly.
• Timed Feeds vs. Free Choice: Consult with your vet to determine whether timed feedings or free choice feeding fits best with your lifestyle and helps manage your cat’s body weight.
• Treats: If treats are a key part of your relationship with your cat, discuss with your vet how to include lower fat, higher fiber treats within the daily caloric limit without hindering weight loss.

Ensure your vet understands your cat’s living situation and any relevant factors affecting their activity level. Depending on your cat’s environment and health, you might consider:

• Using puzzle feeders, like the Whack-a-mole cat toy to encourage more activity.
• Feeding small meals throughout the day on elevated surfaces to promote exercise, especially for indoor cats with limited movement.
• For more active indoor cats, using a harness or cat collar for short, supervised walks can provide additional exercise.

Preventing obesity in cats is essential. By understanding the risk factors and collaborating with your veterinarian, you can help prevent weight gain early in your cat’s life. Once a cat becomes obese, managing its weight becomes a lifelong commitment.

Implementing a weight loss plan is just the start. It’s crucial to continuously monitor your cat’s progress. Invest in a reliable home scale and become familiar with the body condition scores used by your vet. These tools will help you track your cat’s body weight and progress effectively.

Since weight management is a long term process, patience is key. Achieving weight loss in cats often takes time and may not produce immediate results. Pet owners who remain patient and set realistic weight loss goals for their cat tend to see better results. Avoid expecting quick fixes and abandoning the plan if results are slow.

Additionally, the weight loss plan for your cat will need to be adjusted periodically throughout its life based on its age, the success of the weight loss efforts, and any new underlying conditions. Regular follow ups with your veterinarian are crucial to ensure the continued effectiveness of the weight management strategy.

Once your cat reaches her ideal weight and body condition, it's crucial to maintain this healthy weight. Gradually increase her food portions while keeping her weight stable until she can safely transition to a maintenance diet this is similar to a "reverse diet" that helps her metabolism adjust to a normal food intake.

This process may take two to three months, but it's the best way to prevent weight gain rebound. Some cats, particularly those prone to begging or with lower activity levels, might benefit from staying on a weight loss diet with slightly larger portions for maintenance. Your veterinary team can provide guidance throughout this process.

Portion control is essential at this stage to prevent weight regain. After all the effort invested, a relapse into obesity would be unfortunate. Just as with humans, yo-yo dieting isn't healthy for cats. The rewards of maintaining a normal body weight and condition make the effort worthwhile.