Is my cat overweight or obese?
If you can easily feel their ribs along with a little covering of fat, your cat is a healthy weight. If you can’t easily feel the ribs, that’s a sign your cat is overweight. Abdomen: Look at your cat from the side. If you notice a layer of low hanging fat, that could be a sign that your cat is overweight.
How many cats are overweight in the United States?
According to a 2018 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59.5% of cats in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese ¹. So if you’re wondering if your cat is overweight, chances are they probably are. But what is obesity exactly? Obesity is the accumulation of excess body fat.
When does a cat become an obese cat?
More and more cats are developing obesity. A cat is considered overweight if it weighs over 20% more than its ideal body weight. If it weighs more than 20% above its ideal weight, it is classified as obese. Obesity is a disease, which negatively affects a cat’s health and quality of life.
What are the health risks of an overweight cat?
There are various health risks and conditions associated with weight issues in cats. First of all, overweight cats are more likely to live shorter lives than their healthy-weight counterparts – and are more likely to face a wide range of potential health problems.
What should my Cat’s BCS be for obesity?
This scale grades the body condition of the cat from 1-5, where a BCS of 1 is very thin, 3 is ideal and 5 is obese.
What should the weight of an obese cat be?
Obese cats are more than 30 per cent over their ideal weight. You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily when you stroke their body lightly and you should clearly see a waistline when you look at them from above.
What are the risk factors for obesity in cats?
(See the Muscle Condition Score chart: Cats or Dogs) Your cat is overweight if he is 10% more than the ideal weight and obese if over 20% of the ideal weight. 2. What are the risk factors for obesity in cats?
Is it bad for a cat to be overweight?
Obesity in cats is on the rise, and this negative health trend can lead to many consequences for our beloved cats, and for us. If left untreated, an overweight cat’s weight problem will ultimately lead to worse health and lower quality of life. So what can we do to help our feline friends get healthy and lose weight?
How can I Help my overweight cat lose weight?
If you like to give your cat treats, reduce the amount of normal food you provide. Never starve overweight cats or put them on ‘crash diets’. Any period of time without food can potentially be dangerous. A slow, steady weight loss is ideal. It can take as much as a year for a severely overweight cat to reach its ideal weight.