Your Fat Cat Pretty Much Hates You (Because You Made Him Fat)

As a happy pet parent and a volunteer with various pet organizations over several decades, I have seen my share of chubby cats. It seems that as Americans go, so do their feline companions. Yes, the percentage of overweight cats is similar to that of overweight humans, and the figures are both much too high. Just like your health risks increase when too overweight, your fat cat is at risk too.

According to the latest figures (2012) from the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 58.3 percent of cats were deemed to be overweight or obese by their vets. And like it or not, the reason these kitties are overweight is because their pet parents have allowed them to get that way, or have allowed them to remain that way.

The good news is that pet parents also can help their feline friends become thinner and healthier.

Yes, I'll admit chubby kittens and cats are cute, but a fat cat is at an increased risk of life-altering and life-threatening diseases. If you care about your kitty, the time to help him is now.

How To Know If You Have a Fat Cat

Many pet parents do not know or realize their cat is too fat, or they refuse to believe their veterinarian when told their kitty needs to lose a few pounds. In fact, 45.3 percent of cat pet parents incorrectly identified their fat cats as being “normal weight” according to the APOP.

Actually, you do not need a vet to tell you if your cat is overweight: you can use the following information to figure it out for yourself:

The majority of female cats should weigh between 7 and 11 pounds. Certain breeds (e.g., Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll), which are naturally larger, can weigh up to 14 pounds and still be considered to be at a healthy weight.
Most male cats should weigh in between 9 and 12 pounds unless they belong to a larger breed. In the latter case, they can tip the scales at 18 pounds and still be at a healthy weight.

In addition to your cat’s weight, there are three simple steps you can take to determine if your cat is overweight:

Hold your cat’s front legs and stand him up on his back legs. Just below his rib cage you should see a waistline. If you don’t (and do not use the excuse about there being too much hair), then your cat is overweight.
Feel your cat’s rib cage. If you cannot feel the ribs when you press lightly (not hard), then your cat needs to lose weight.
Run your fingers lightly along your cat’s spine and shoulders and at the base of his tail. Although there should be a layer of fat over all of these areas, you also should be able to detect the bones. If you cannot, kitty is too fat.

Health Problems in Fat Cats

Overweight cats are about four times more likely to develop diabetes than are cats who are at a healthy weight. Cats who are severely obese have an eightfold increased risk of the disease. Diabetes is a serious disease among cats, and it may mean your kitty will need medication for the rest of her life.

Cats who are overweight also have more difficulty cleaning themselves and therefore are at risk of developing infections and inflammation around the vulva and anus and other skin problems. Chubby cats also are more prone to develop osteoarthritis, lameness, liver disease (feline hepatic lipidosis syndrome), and lower urinary tract disease.

What You Can Do For a Fat Cat

Typically, overweight or obese cats are on a dry food diet, which provides cats with ten times or more of the carbohydrates they need. The result is an overweight cat. Therefore, one of the main things you need to do if your cat is fat is change her diet.

If you are looking for excellent dietary information for your cat, feline expert Lisa Pierson, DVM, provides comprehensive, no-nonsense directions on how to feed your cat so she will be as healthy and vibrant as possible. Although it is impossible for me to cover everything here, the one basic and critical bit of advice all pet parents of fat cats need to know is to stop feeding your cat dry food. Why?

Dry food contains an excessive amount of carbohydrates, typically 35% to 50% or more of the calories provided by the food. Yet cats are naturally designed to eat only about 3% to 5% of their daily calories from carbs, 10% tops. Cats are carnivores, and they should get about 45% to 50% of their calories from protein, about 45% from fat, and the rest from carbs.

Wet food or cat food you prepare yourself (using some of the many recipes available from a number of experts) provides the nutrients your cat needs. Making this change is essential for trimming your cat’s calories. Dr. Pierson offers important tips on how to make the transition safely and easily.

Exercise is another helpful tool. Although you can take an overweight dog for lots of walks, most cats are not leash trained. Therefore, you need to be creative to encourage your cat to be more physically active. For example:

Provide a variety of stimulating objects and introduce them at different times. Try catnip or catnip toys, balls, pieces of crumbled up paper (sometimes the best toys cost nothing at all!), or pieces of hanging yarn or string.
Make a point to play with your cat every day for at least 10 to 15 minutes using the toys. Break it up into two or three sessions if your cat become unresponsive to your efforts.
Provide items your cat can climb or explore, such as empty boxes or a cat tree. My cats enjoy jumping in and out of boxes. Simply moving a box to another room or turning it on its side causes them to treat it like it’s something new.

Your kitty deserves a happy, healthy life and you have the power to make it possible.

Photo Credit: BWCK Gallery