Obesity and being overweight have emerged as the most important disease processes in cats today. The perils of obesity are far-reaching. It shortens cats’ lives and can contribute to chronic inflammatory pain.
The good news is that obesity is preventable. More good news is that, even if a cat is overweight or obese, the disease can be reversed, normal body condition can be restored, and life expectancy can return to normal.
Why is obesity so widespread in cats?
Several factors of our western lifestyle, across North America, contribute to the increased prevalence of obesity in cats. Most cats live predominantly indoors. They no longer must roam and hunt for their food, which means they expend fewer calories daily.
"Over time, pet food manufacturers have gradually increased the energy density of diets, so more products are available with more calories per cup or can."
Over time, pet food manufacturers have gradually increased the energy density of diets, so more products are available with more calories per cup or can. In addition, when cats are permitted to eat free choice (when food is left in the bowl all day), it is easy for cats to eat more calories than they need. The bottom line is that, when calories taken in exceed calories expended, weight gain is inevitable, leading to overweight and obese cats.
How does being overweight or obese contribute to pain in my cat?
Being overweight or obese sets the stage for joint damage and osteoarthritis (OA), leading to chronic pain. Until recently, veterinarians thought that the increased pain and inflammation associated with OA in overweight and obese cats was primarily due to the increased wear and tear on the joints.
We now know that fat tissue is biologically active and secretes hormones and other chemicals that cause inflammation, which is part of the pain associated with OA and joint disease. Being overweight or obese contributes to this vicious cycle. For more information, see handout “Overweight, Obesity and Pain in Cats: Overview”.
How can I prevent my cat from becoming obese in the first place?
Here are some effective strategies for preventing cats from becoming overweight or obese:
1. Feed an appropriate diet. Ask your veterinarian to help you choose the most appropriate food for your cat’s life stage and health. For further information on feeding your cat, see the handout "Nutrition: General Feeding Guidelines for Cats". Kittens need a food formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of growth, rather than an all-purpose product. Your family veterinarian can recommend the best age to transition from a kitten formula to adult food.
Adult cats have different needs from kittens, so a kitten formulation is not the best choice for them. Senior cats change and age at different rates, and many require a nutrient profile that’s different from the adult food they’ve eaten for years. Senior cats should be evaluated and fed as individuals. Cats with certain health conditions or diseases may have unique nutritional requirements.
2. Provide measured portions. Portion control is critical. Labels on cat food bags and cans tend to overestimate the amount of food a cat needs to eat each day, so ask your veterinarian for a portion recommendation, and stick to it.
3. Choose specific mealtimes, and be consistent. It is a myth that cats need to graze or eat whenever they like. Cats learn quickly when food is available and when it is not. Sticking to specific mealtimes will minimize what you may perceive as begging behavior.
4. Consider interactive feeding toys. These toys, or enrichment feeders, are designed to allow cats to work for their food. Cats that must work a puzzle or search and sniff for food tend to eat more slowly, which also requires them to expend a few more calories.
5. Increase safe outdoor activity. Increase your cat’s daily level of activity with exposure to the great outdoors (if possible). Some cat owners are able to build an outdoor enclosure with ledges at various heights to encourage moving around. For a bit more movement farther from home, many cats can be taught to walk on a leash, and they generally prefer to take the lead rather than walking at heel, like dogs. Cats do best with a snug-fitting harness on the torso rather than a leash on the collar.
6. Increase indoor activity. In addition to interactive toys that dispense food, there are other interactive toys such as dangling feathers or laser pointers that allow for play and many minutes of chasing fun. You can also create a food scavenger hunt with one of your cat’s meals, encouraging them to find the new food location. Finally, consider positive reward training, since cats can be taught many of the same tasks as dogs (e.g., come, sit, stay, up on the sofa).
7. Track their body condition. Your veterinary healthcare team can assess your cat’s body and muscle condition score at each visit. Regular assessments help you keep track of your cat’s condition; if your cat is heavy, your veterinarian can provide an estimated ideal body weight to use as a guide during weight loss.
8. Schedule weigh-ins. Accountability keeps us honest. Schedule regular weigh-ins (monthly or every other month) at your veterinarian’s office to track both weight and body condition score in your cat’s medical record. Trends up or down can be identified early, and minor feeding adjustments can be made. Minor modifications are always easier to make than major transformations.
What is the take-home message?
By preventing our cats from becoming overweight or obese, we can help prevent them from developing osteoarthritis or joint damage. Fat tissue plays an active role in perpetuating inflammation and chronic pain. Reversing overweight or obesity in cats is truly a pain prevention and management technique. By committing to a little more play time each day, and carefully monitoring calorie intake, cat owners can help their overweight or obese cat gradually slim down to a more ideal weight and body condition. This commitment will pay dividends as the cat lives its best life for as long as physically possible.
