Is My Cat Fat? Feline Obesity Complications

Obesity is anything above 15% more than ideal body weight (IBW). The average cat should weigh 8-10 lbs, so if your cat is 12 lbs or over, he or she has a good chance of being obese. That being said, your cat's weight is not what we look at as much as the body condition. This is why your vet will visually inspect your cat, palpate (feel) your cat's back, neck, and ribs, and observe his silhouette. In short, your vet will want to be able to feel the ribs and vertebrae without actually seeing these bony structures poking at the skin. You want to see a definitive waistline (hourglass figure) from the side and from above when your cat is standing.

What's Wrong With Feline Obesity?

Obesity in cats causes many of the same problems as in humans, ultimately leading to a shorter, less enjoyable life...and more trips to the vet - no-one likes that! Here is a list of medical issues that obesity causes in cats, many of which are common to humans, and many of which will lead to more inactivity and greater obesity.

Cardiovascular problems - plaque buildup and a cat too large for its heart cause too much work for the heart, causing an early death. A tired heart leads to more inactivity and greater obesity.
Compared with normal weight cats, obese cats have 4 times greater chances of diabetes, which leads to a great number of medical problems. Click here for more info on feline diabetes
Breathing difficulties - There is only so much space inside your cat, and with more fat, there's less room for her lungs, so she gets less oxygen, has to work harder to breathe and will spend all her time just laying around... causing greater obesity.
Decreased immunity to all types of infections - as in humans, extra fat has been associated with a less active immune system.
Difficulty cleaning themselves due to lack of flexibility. Because they can't clean themselves properly, obese cats have 3 times as many non-allergic skin conditions and infections as normal weight cats.
Higher incidence of lower urinary tract infections such as cystitis.
A greater weight causes stress on muscles and bones. This leads to pulled, strained and torn muscles and to arthritis. These conditions, in turn, lead to more inactivity and greater obesity.
Decreased liver function (the liver helps rid the body of toxins), and increased chance of a potentially deadly condition called hepatic lipidosis.
Stress and depression from a sedentary, lethargic lifestyle, especially if they are too large and inflexible to groom properly. A clean cat is a happy cat, and a fat cat can't get as clean as a healthy cat.

No Crash Diets!!!

It's very important that your cat be allowed to lose weight slowly. If you try to drastically cut your cat's food intake you could cause him to go into starvation mode which triggers hepatic lipidosis resulting in liver failure and possibly death. This, among other reasons, is why I cannot stress enough that it is important to consult your vet when considering major changes in your cat's diet. Your vet can be a great help in determining how much weight your cat should lose and over what time span. If your cat's able to get up and move, the first thing you should do is make them move around. This can be achieved using many different types of stimulating toys, some which dispense food, treats, or catnip to inrease kitty's stimulation and excitement. Below are some links to sites which can further explain some of these feline obesity complications