Cats are truly genuine pets and have characteristics that clearly differentiate them from any other type of pet, among them, we can mention that although they do not have 7 lives, they do have surprising agility and they are excellent jumpers.
Agility in cats is synonymous with he alth and the loss of this physical capacity can warn us about a problem. If the loss of agility is added to the weight gain, we must understand this situation as harmful and remedy it as soon as possible.
In this AnimalWised article we show you the causes and treatment of obesity in cats.
Feline obesity
Obesity is a pathological condition that affects approximately 40% of dogs and cats, it is a serious situation since its appearance acts as a trigger for other diseases, such as diabetes or joint problems.
Obesity can be defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat, a cat is considered overweight when it exceeds 10% of its body weight and can already be considered obese when is 20% over your ideal weight.
The risk of this disorder is especially high in adult cats aged between 5 and 11 years, however, On numerous occasions, the owner is not able to assess the suitability of their cat's body weight, for this reason, adequate and regular veterinary assistance will be a key factor in preventing obesity in cats.
Causes of obesity in cats
Obesity in cats does not have certain causes but rather we should talk about risk factors that can act negatively on the body of our pet to trigger excess weight highly dangerous to he alth.
Let's see below what are the risk factors that act as triggers of feline obesity:
- Age: The greatest risk of obesity is suffered by cats between 5 and 11 years of age, therefore, Preventive measures should start when the cat is around 2 years old.
- Sex: Male cats have a higher risk of obesity, a risk that is further increased in cases of sterilization. Many experts consider feline sterilization to be the main factor associated with obesity.
- Endocrine problems: The use of chemical contraceptives can alter the hormonal profile of the cat, which decreases insulin sensitivity and predisposes the body to the accumulation of fat. Other diseases such as hypothyroidism can also be present after an obese cat.
- Breed: Mixed or common cats have twice the risk of obesity than purebred cats, except for those of the Manx breed that pose the same risk as any common cat.
- Environmental factors: A cat that lives with dogs is more protected against obesity, on the other hand, cats that do not live with other animals and also remain in a flat or apartment have a higher risk of being obese.
- Activity: Cats that cannot be physically active outdoors are at increased risk of excess body weight.
- Diet: Some studies link the use of high-end foods to an increased risk of obesity. The cat's diet will also be one of the main factors on which to act to treat this condition.
- Owner Behavior: Do you tend to humanize your cat? You don't play with him and you mainly use food as positive reinforcement? This behavior has been associated with an increased risk of obesity in the feline.
Diseases associated with feline obesity
As was mentioned initially, one of the dangers of obesity lies in the fact that this condition acts as a trigger for multiple disorders and pathologies. Studies carried out to date link obesity in cats with the appearance of the following diseases:
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Fatty liver
- Hypertension
- Respiratory insufficiency
- Infectious diseases of the urinary tract
- Joint disease
- Exercise intolerance
- Decreased immune system response
Treatment of obesity in cats
The treatment of obesity in cats requires veterinary assistance and a firm commitment on the part of the owners, in the treatment that feline nutrition experts propose we can distinguish the following stages:
- Initial assessment: The veterinarian must individually assess the degree of overweight presented by the animal, its state of he alth and the factors of risk that have acted on the pet.
- Weight Loss Phase: This is the first phase of treatment and can last for many months. In this phase it will be essential to change the cat's lifestyle, establishing a diet for obese cats and a more active lifestyle. In some cases the veterinarian may decide to also prescribe a pharmacological treatment.
- Consolidation phase: This phase must be maintained throughout the life of the cat since its objective is to keep the pet at a he althy weight. Generally, in this phase, physical activity is not modified, but diet is, therefore, to do it correctly, veterinary supervision is essential.
Many owners feel more satisfied and calm when their cat begins to lose a lot of weight very quickly, however subsequent blood tests indicate that this is not always he althy.
The owner involvement is essential but the owner must always take into account the instructions given by the veterinarian.
