It’s thought that there are around five million obese cats in Britain and an estimated 54,500 cats suffering from diabetes (a common chronic disease often caused by excessive weight), and vets are expecting these numbers to increase in the coming years – some scary statistics, wouldn’t you agree? That’s why in the spirit of Pet Obesity Awareness Day (which occurs annually on 12th October) we wanted to share with you our top tips on spotting the signs of weight gain in your cat and how to tackle obesity to help your feline friend lose weight and maintain a healthy, balanced and happy life.
Furry Felines: What causes weight gain in cats?
Obesity is an accumulation of excess body fat (extra body weight and extra body fat tend to go hand in hand). Typically, cats are considered overweight if they weigh 10 – 20% above their ideal body weight, and obese if they weigh more than 20% above their ideal body weight. To put that into perspective, an average male Bengal house cat should weigh approximately 6.8kg; to be overweight they would have to weigh around 7.5kg , and 8.2kg and above to be considered obese.
To determine if your domestic cat is overweight, begin by looking down at them when they are standing – there should be a slight indentation above their hips resembling a waist (this may be difficult if your cat has long hair); if the waist area bulges out then your cat may be overweight. If you’re concerned about your cat’s weight there are a few tricks to try in order to determine if they are heavier than what they should be… have you tried:
- Feeling their ribs (can you feel them or is a layer of fat covering them?)
- Looking at your cat from the side; do you notice a layer of low hanging fat?
- Monitoring their behaviour? Is your cat interested in climbing, jumping and playing? Overweight and obese cats find it much more difficult to embark on these natural physical behaviours which, in turn, exacerbates existing weight concerns.
Similarly to overweight dogs, weight gain in cats can shorten their lifespan and make them more likely to develop nasty diseases including osteoarthritis (a degenerative condition of the joints in which the normal cartilage cushion breaks down), diabetes mellitus (a condition where the body cannot properly produce or respond to the insulin hormone), heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and cancer. But we do have some good news for all responsible cat owners out there… You can help your cat lose weight by making simple changes to their daily routine, encouraging a happy, healthy and long life. Here’s how:
- For many cats, the best way to lose weight is with a canned food diet fed several times throughout the day instead of leaving food down all the time. Royal Canin offer a light food option to help with the weight management of your cat, but it’s always a good idea to ask your Vet for advice on an appropriate feeding regime to ensure your cat continues to receive all of the nutrients they need without being overfed.
- Weighing out your cat’s food each day is an easy way to help you control their portions.
- If you have a tendency to bestow your furry feline with several treats throughout the day or week, try cutting this back.
- But just because you’re cutting out treats doesn’t mean you should cut out your cat’s food too; you should never starve overweight cats or put them on ‘’crash diets’’ as this can be very dangerous. That’s why #RookesRecommends a steady weight loss with the right food (and the right amount – two different aspects to consider here). Believe it or not, but it can take as long as a whole year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal weight so as owners, we must be patient.
- When it comes to exercise, cats may need a little bit of convincing (or a lot!) especially if they are older or overweight. By tricking your overweight cat into playing with you, they’ll get the daily activity they need in small spurts of time around the home. If you’re stuck for ideas then why not try a cat tower, have fun with lasers or introduce a toy wand for them to follow and interact with.
What about if you have more than one cat at home? How do you help your furry feline lose weight when you have other cats and other sources of food available?
Hmmm… This situation can be a little trickier, but it is not impossible. Why not give the below a try:
- Feed the overweight cat in a different room so every feline has time to eat without rushing (or missing out).
- Any uneaten food should be cleared away so the overweight cat cannot steal the leftovers.
- Alternatively, you could place the food inside cardboard boxes with holes cut in the side that are too small for the overweight cat (but big enough for your other cats to reach).
- Cats are generally solitary creatures and living with other cats can be stressful, causing them to either overeat or stop eating entirely – it could go both ways! So keep a close eye on your clowder to ensure they are all eating the right amount and socialising well.
It is so important for our cats to continue receiving the nutrients they need from their food even whilst trying to lose weight – remember it’s weight they need to lose, not nutrients that support their overall wellbeing.
Just like us, cats need to amalgamate a balanced diet with exercise to ultimately lead a well-balanced life. #RookesRecommends that all responsible cat owners should seek advice from their Vet before making any significant changes to their pets’ diet and/or lifestyle – it’s for their benefit.
If your cat is overweight there are several activities (listed above) that you can try to help them shed a few pounds in order to avoid diseases and reach their ideal weight (if you’re not sure what their ideal weight is, speak to your Vet or use the Royal Canin Body Conditioning Score to determine if your pet is the right shape).
Based in Spalding, Rooke’s Pet Products have over 7000 products in our High Street store for customers to browse including an abundance of weight related products for cats such as light food options by multiple brands, joint supplements, toys to encourage play and exercise, and so much more. Our friendly team are happy to help with any questions or concerns you might have so pop in and see us, and feel free to bring your furry feline with you… we’d love to meet them!