Obesity Could Kill Your Cat. He's How To Know If Your Kitty is Too Fat
Introduction
Obesity in cats is a growing problem. In fact, it’s one of the most common health problems in cats today! The good news is that many obese cats can be helped with diet and exercise changes, so there’s no need to worry. But first, you’ve got to know how to spot an obese cat and what causes obesity. We’ll cover all that here—so read on!
What is Obesity in Cats?
Obesity is a disease that can be fatal to cats. It is caused by overeating, lack of exercise, and genetic factors. Obese cats are at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems such as kidney disease and breathing difficulties. They may also experience arthritis in their hips or knees; this condition is often painful for the animal as it causes inflammation in these areas.
Obesity increases the chances that your cat will develop obesity-related diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which means an enlarged heart muscle that makes it difficult for blood to flow through the body properly; hepatic lipidosis which results from the build-up of fat in your cat’s liver cells causing damage to healthy cells; feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) which leads to inflammation within urinary tract organs like kidneys; asthma-like symptoms due to excessive weight making it harder for them to breathe normally; arthritis pain due to excess weight on joints etcetera…
Risk Factors of Cat Obesity
There are many factors that can contribute to cat obesity. Some of these factors are more common than others, but all of them have an effect on your cat’s weight. These risk factors include:
Too much food and not enough exercise
Genetics
Age (older cats tend to gain weight more quickly)
Breed (some breeds are at a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese than others)
Lifestyle (cats who don’t get enough play time and exercise may be more prone to obesity)
Illness (certain diseases cause cats’ appetites to increase, resulting in weight gain).
What Causes Cat Obesity?
There are a number of factors that can lead to cat obesity, including:
A high-calorie diet. While cats differ in their energy needs, they tend to be very sensitive to the quantity of food they consume. If you’re feeding your cat too much, he’s likely to gain weight.
Lack of exercise. Cats may not get enough physical activity if you keep them exclusively indoors or don’t take steps to provide them with opportunities for exercise such as playing and scratching posts.
Genetics: Some cats are predisposed toward obesity due either directly or indirectly (via behavior) to genetic factors such as an inability for their bodies’ systems to regulate metabolism properly; this makes it easy for these animals’ metabolisms and appetites work against each other so that even when eating well and exercising regularly won’t cause any problems at all!
Symptoms of Cat Obesity
In cats, obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. The signs can vary depending on the age and health of your cat, but they generally include:
Difficulty losing weight or Weight gain problem
Abdominal fat (a “belly”)
Thickening around the waist (as opposed to a small amount of muscle)
Reduced energy levels and lack of interest in playing or exercising, which may be accompanied by sleepiness or sluggishness. Additionally, if you notice that your cat has stopped grooming itself or has developed skin or respiratory problems since its weight gain began affecting its health, this too may be a sign that it’s becoming obese.
Obese Kitten: How to Know if a Young Cat is Becoming Obese?
A kitten’s body condition score is an easy way to determine if your cat is overweight or obese. The body condition score ranges from 1-5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being morbidly obese. A healthy cat has a body condition score of 3 or 4. You can also take a picture of your kitten, upload it to an online calculator such as this one, and get the exact number!
If you are concerned that your kitten may be overweight or obese, ask your vet for advice on how to help them lose weight safely and appropriately (you don’t want them becoming too thin). If they are not overweight but simply have developed less muscle than they should have at their age (or if they were born small), then speak with your vet so they can prescribe some simple exercises for the little guy!
How do Veterinarians Diagnose Obesity in Cats?
Your Vet will take your cat’s weight and measure its body condition score. They will also check for any other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. Next, they will ask about your cat’s diet and exercise routine to help them determine the best diet plan for your cat.
Your vet may recommend that you feed your pet high-quality dry food with fewer calories per serving than wet food because wet foods contain more water than dry foods do. The higher moisture content in wet food makes it harder for cats to feel full from eating less food at one time which can lead to overfeeding which results in obesity.
Treatment and Recovery of Cat Obesity
There are many treatment options for cat obesity, including:
Lifestyle changes. Making simple changes to your cat’s diet and exercise routine can lead to a healthier weight.
Special diet. Some cats may require special diets that are formulated to help them lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a high-quality food that works best for your pet’s needs.
Exercise. Cats need regular exercise just like humans do! You can increase the amount of time your cat spends exercising by adding toys (treat balls and laser pointers are favorites) or making sure you play with them on a daily basis—even if it’s just for five minutes each day!
Weight loss medications like phentermine (Adipex) have been used in conjunction with lifestyle changes in some cases; however, these medications should not be taken without consulting with a veterinarian first due to potential side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea that can occur when given at too high doses
Conclusion
With the information provided above, you can now be sure that your cat is not suffering from obesity. By taking a look at all these factors and acting accordingly, you can keep your cat healthy and happy for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Blog.catbandit and was syndicated by MediaFeed
