Why is my cat extremely fat?
Put simply, the reason your cat is fat is that it’s eating more calories than it’s burning off. This problem is more common among house cats because they tend to be less mobile if not stimulated properly. If your cat is leading a lazy, sedentary lifestyle, it won’t lose any weight.
Is it common for cats to be overweight?
Obesity is becoming an increasingly common problem for our cats. Currently, in the United States, veterinarians estimate that about 60 percent of the feline patients seen are either overweight or obese. Even more alarming is the fact that many cat parents fail to recognize that their cats are overweight.
What should I do if my kitten is overweight?
It’s been shown that cats are more likely to become overweight after spaying or neutering. We routinely recommend to decrease the amount of food after this procedure by 20-30% and to watch body condition closely, but it’s still important to keep your kitten on a diet that meets the needs of growing cats until he is at least 1 year of age. 4.
What happens if a cat loses a lot of weight?
Overweight cats who are carrying around extra pounds, or obese cats with even more, run the risk of long-term damage to their bones, joints, and ligaments. Osteoarthritis is common in obese cats, as is ligament damage in their leg joints. A cat who is losing a step or two may well be seeing the early onset of arthritis or spinal problems.
What are the signs of an obese cat?
Osteoarthritis is common in obese cats, as is ligament damage in their leg joints. A cat who is losing a step or two may well be seeing the early onset of arthritis or spinal problems.
What do I do if my cat is overweight?
The first thing you should do if your cat is overweight is change their eating patterns. For example, if you currently leave a bowl of food out, try feeding smaller controlled portions at breakfast and dinner. If your cat is extremely overweight, you may want to consider switching to a lower calorie food.
How can you Tell Your Cat is overweight?
You can start determining if your cat ‘s overweight by looking at him. Examining your cat from above and from the side should help you determine if his weight is a problem. Look at your cat from above. The area between his ribs and hips should move inward slightly, creating a clearly defined waist.
How to tell if you have an overweight cat?
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating Your Cat’s Body Look at your cat from different angles. You can start determining if your cat’s overweight by looking at him. Touch your cat’s ribs. You can further examine your cat by touching him. Examine the base of your cat’s tail. Check other bony areas. Do not be overly concerned about a saggy belly.
What are the signs of an overweight cat?
A swinging pouch between your cat’s hind legs is a sign that your cat is overweight. Your cat’s anal area should look clean. Some obese cats have trouble grooming this area. A greasy patch, matting of fur, or flaking of skin down the midline of a cat’s lower back can also indicate obesity.