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The best way to diagnose feline obesity is to consult with
your vet and obtain a body condition score. Not only does
a body condition assessment determine the appropriate weight
and proportion of your cat, but it is also a helpful tool
in determining the healthiest diet to offer your pet.
The Body Condition Scoring System
helps veterinarians determine whether your cat is growing
appropriately and whether the correct amount of food is being
offered. Proper growth can reduce risk for obesity and growth-related
skeletal disease.
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1. Very thin.
The ribs are easily palpable with no fat cover. The
bone prominences are easily felt with no overlying fat.
In animals over six months there is a severe abdominal
tuck when viewed from the side, and an accentuated hourglass
shape when viewed from above. |
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2. Underweight.
The ribs are easily palpable with minimal fat cover.
The bony prominences are easily felt with minimal overlying
fat. In cats over six months, there is an abdominal
tuck when viewed from the side, and a marked hourglass
shape when viewed from above. |
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3. Ideal.
The ribs are palpable with a slight fat cover. The
bony prominences are easily felt with a slight amount
of overlying fat. In cats over six months, there is
an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side, and a well-proportioned
lumbar waist when viewed from above. |
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4. Overweight.
The ribs are difficult to feel with moderate fat cover.
The bony prominences can still be felt, and are covered
by a moderate layer of fat. In cats over six months,
there is little or no abdominal tuck or waist when viewed
from above. Abdominal fat apron present. |
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5. Obese.
The ribs are very difficult to feel under a thick fat
cover. The bony prominences are covered by a moderate
to thick layer of fat. In cats over six months, there
is a pendulous ventral bulge and no waist when viewed
from the side. The back is markedly broadened when viewed
from above. Marked abdominal fat apron present.
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Obesity can be a genetic condition; however diet and the environment
are the most common contributing factors. A healthy, low calorie
diet is crucial to enhance weight management. Many dry foods
are high in calories and low in protein, due to the amount
of carbohydrates in the food. Free-feeding cats is another
trap; cats do not need much food to maintain a healthy weight,
and allowing them to graze all day may cause obesity. City
Cats can provide you with recommended daily food intake for
your cat.
Obesity can also stem from multi-cat households; they tend
to competitively eat. Indoor cats are prone to becoming overweight
mostly due to the lack of exercise and boredom. Cats need
to be stimulated with toys to encourage as much activity as
possible. Keep plenty of toys around, and laser lights are
a great way to have your cat bouncing off the walls!
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About 40% of all adult cats are obese, which can lead to other
serious health risks. Excess fat and lack of lean tissue in
the body can promote joint problems, arthritis, heart disease,
and breathing difficulties. Some other diseases:
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which
the pancreas cannot properly regulate blood sugar. You will
see weight loss (even though your pet appears to be eating
ravenously), an increase in drinking, and an increase in urination.
To diagnose diabetes, your veterinarian will look for these
signs, as well as a high level of glucose in the blood and
urine. Cats with diabetes do not have enough insulin to regulate
the amount of sugar flowing into cells. This causes sugar
to build up in the bloodstream, the cells are not energized
properly, and excess glucose is eliminated through the urine.
This disease requires treatment for life.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
is caused by an inflammation/irritation of the bladder and/or
urethra. What exactly causes the inflammation varies from
cat to cat and can include bacterial infections, bladder stones,
and crystals. Obesity increases the risk for this disease.
Treatments also vary depending on the root of the problem.
Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may prescribed to
treat FLUTD, other times a specific diet will help dissolve
crystals. If bladder stones are evident, surgery may be the
most effective treatment.
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Syndrome)
is a severe type of liver failure in cats that can be fatal.
Thanks to modern medicine, however, about 80% of cases are
now treatable. Feline Hepatic Lipidosis causes a buildup of
fat in the liver that cannot be removed or broken down, which
ultimately causes the liver to shut down. Cats develop jaundice,
a yellowing of their skin, eyes, and gums, and their nervous
system is affected. The most effective way to treat this disease
is through diet; high quality food with the right dietary
protein is needed to help the liver break down and remove
the fat. Tube feeding is essential.
Hyperthyroidism, commonly seen in middle-aged
or older cats, is characterized by a rapid increase in metabolism
along with weight loss. Hyperthyroidism results in the overproduction
of thyroid hormone, which causes a drastic increase in the
metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism causes high blood pressure,
and can in turn affect the heart if not treated. A simple
blood test can be done to diagnose this disease by measuring
thyroxine, (T4) one of the thyroid hormones. Most cats are
treated with medication, methimazole, for the rest of their
lives to regulate the amount of thyroid hormone produced.
In some cases, when the glands continue to grow, radioactive
iodine is used to destroy all the abnormal tissue in the glands.
Other times the enlarged glands can be surgically removed.
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The best way to tackle obesity is to make an appointment with
City Cats to discuss a safe weight loss program for your cat.
Weight loss should be gradual: no more than half a pound a
month. Remember, cats are much smaller; half a pound off a
cat is a significant change! There are health risks associated
with rapid weight loss, such as liver disease, so keep in
mind how important a gradual program is.
City Cats can recommend a weight loss diet that suits the
needs of your cat. Two of the diets we most commonly use for
weight loss are Hills Prescription Diet r/d and Purina OM.
Both these diets are short term and are high in fiber to promote
weight loss. These diets are also designed to help convert
fat to energy. Make sure your cat comes in for regular weigh-ins,
at no cost, to ensure the diet is working. Adjustments can
always be made to meet your cat’s needs.
After your cat has been on a steady weight loss program for
about 3 months, we usually recommend switching over to a low-calorie
diet they can eat long term, and that will help maintain a
healthy weight. Hills Prescription Diet w/d and IVD Hifactor
are two great diets high in fiber and low calorie that will
help keep the weight off! The canned Hifactor and Waltham
Coat Care are great wet foods high in protein, 100% meat based,
and low in carbohydrates making your cat feel full and satisfied
without adding pounds.
 Prescription
Diet t/d is an extremely palatable dry food, low in calorie
and wonderful for the teeth! This food nourishes the gums
and prevents the buildup of tartar and plaque. Please note
that all these diets are by prescription only, so consult
with your veterinarian for a recommended diet and daily calorie
intake. Remember, it is important to feed actual meals. Free-feeding
not only causes cats to gain weight, but it also can lead
to vomiting and diarrhea. Feeding one of the foods listed
above provides your cat with a balanced, healthy diet. In
turn, your cat will eat less because the food is higher quality.
Other than diet, exercise is crucial in preventing obesity.
Keep your cat as active as possible. Remember that City Cats
is here for any questions or concerns you may have, and bringing
your cat in for body condition scoring and regular weigh-ins
will help us tackle problems before they develop!
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