Is my cat fat?

January 13, 2022 by Natasha V. Health

Many owners worry when they notice that their cat is putting on weight.

The image of the fat cat is quite familiar to us thanks to the internet, but in reality, being overweight is a serious problem for our beloved felines.

Most of these cats suffer the consequences directly on their health and the problem lies in the sedentary life that most domestic cats lead, but there are many other factors that can influence.

So, in this post, we will answer the doubts regarding this topic, such as "How can I know if my cat is fat?", "What conditions cause weight gain in cats?" and more.

How can I tell if my cat is fat?

Generally, a cat's weight can range from 3.6 kilos to 11 kilos.
It is considered overweight when the feline has at least 10% of its body weight and obesity when it exceeds 20% of its ideal weight.

However, determining if your cat is fat is not as simple as putting your cat on a scale and seeing the number that appears. This is due to different breeds and sizes, and ages, so there is no 'standardized ideal' weight.

Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to know what is the real weight that your feline should have in order to evaluate if he is healthy.

How can I tell if my cat is overweight? To know if your cat is overweight or not you should observe him, ideally, he should have an athletic body and his ribs should not be visible but you should be able to feel them.

Steps to know if my cat is fat.

• Look at your cat from above, you should distinguish the waist area. If there is no waist or the abdomen is wider than the chest, then you have an obese cat.
• Also, notice if when moving, your cat's belly sways from side to side or its walking movements are stiff.
• When looking at your cat in profile, his chest should be deeper than his abdomen, not curved downward.
• The appearance of a fat cat is rounded and its ribs are difficult to feel. If there is a thin layer of fat it is fine, but if it is difficult to differentiate them, there is an excess of weight.
• As well as the ribs, look at all the areas where the bones protrude normally, such as the hip, shoulders, spine, etc. You should be able to feel them to the touch, but if you can't, they are hidden under a layer of extra fat.

Why is obesity in cats a concern?

Obesity or being overweight is a risk factor that will predispose the cat to different diseases, such as hepatic lipidosis, diabetes, or dermatosis.

An obese cat is prone to develop alterations in organs such as kidneys, liver, and heart. And if the cat already has some pathology, obesity will worsen the clinical signs. In addition, obese cats tolerate exercise, heat, and anesthesia poorly.

Why is my cat fat?

Many times cats are fat because of their owners, by not watching what they eat, by constantly giving them food as a reward, such as treats or food every time they ask for it, even if they have just eaten a little while ago.

It is something that many owners do not take into account, and popular culture has made us think that a fat cat is a happy cat, but it is not always so.

It can also be due to other factors such as:

• Age: as they get older, their energy decreases, they sleep more and become more sedentary, so they should not have the same diet as when they were a kitten.
• Spaying or neutering: because it affects the metabolism, reducing energy consumption. This is due to a reduction in the production of sex hormones, which causes a decrease in their basal metabolism, with a consequent increase in body fat and loss of muscle mass.
• Diseases and medication: some diseases will influence your weight, such as diabetes. And there are also certain medications that make cat fat.
• Bad feeding: feeding at any time, without defined quantities, and without adequate nutritional values will cause cats to develop overweight.
• Excessive treats: it is normal to want to reward your cat with a treat, but constant treats will provide empty calories that will sometimes replace their regular food.
• Lack of exercise: it is necessary for the cat to exercise to stay active and burn calories, but if he cannot or if he is sick, it is best to change his diet to a more appropriate one.

What can I do to keep my cat from being fat?

Evaluate your cat's eating habits.

To prevent a fat cat, do a quick assessment of how much food your cat eats per day.

If you notice that their portions are excessively high or that they consume a lot of treats and "extras" throughout the day, you will know what is the cause of their weight gain.

Don't overfeed!

Avoid overfeeding them when they are kittens, this makes them get used to eating more than they need and it will be a very difficult habit to get rid of in the future, since their stomach will adapt to a high volume of food.

Consult with a veterinarian.

What conditions cause weight gain in cats? As for sterilization or neutering, you must feed him with specific foods and quantities indicated on the label of his food or as recommended by the veterinarian.

If you want to change the food and put him on a diet, it is best to consult with a veterinarian, who will be in charge of creating an ideal diet to lose weight, where you should reduce fats and increase fiber and water.

Exercise your cat!

You must keep your cat exercised and active, increasing the activity of the cat favors the loss of calories.

This can be a little difficult for an adult cat but you can help him through interactive games, scratching trees and towers, walks, and more.

Depending on your cat's weight, it may be difficult to play at first. However, introducing play gradually into his daily routine will help him get exercise and burn excess calories.

A healthy cat is a happy cat!

Treating obesity in cats requires a responsible and informed owner and the help of a veterinarian.

So, we hope we have helped you diagnose if your cat is fat so that you can help your cat to lose weight and prevent possible diseases by improving your cat's lifestyle.