This week I attended to a growing problem. My patient was a very large seven-year-old male ginger cat. His owners had brought him to the clinic because they had become concerned about his lethargy and breathlessness. But while Chester’s owners were primarily anxious about their cat’s loss of energy and breathing difficulties, my concern regarding his state of health was additionally compounded by his size. Chester is clinically obese.

Obesity is an overabundance of adipose tissue, body fat that has accumulated in the body. As with humans, obesity in companion animals is rapidly becoming a serious problem. It has grown to such an extent that some countries regularly conduct research to establish the magnitude of this phenomena.

The studies show that between 40 to 50 per cent of house cats are classified as obese, with most of these cats falling into the middle-aged category. Surveys have also revealed that as time goes by, the number of cat owners who are aware that their pet is obese continues to decline. This trend has veterinarians worried, as it shows that cat owners have come to think that fat cats are normal. But while comic-strip characters such as Garfield have normalised the concept of fat, lazy cats, the impact of this condition on our pets is not quite so humorous.

Obesity in cats can be caused by several factors. It can come about due to reduced activity in the older cat. It can also be an unexpected consequence of spaying or neutering, which causes the metabolism to slow down and the cat to become less active. There are also underlying medical conditions that can give rise to unexpected obesity, such as disorders of the endocrine system. But, more often than not, cats become obese because they are persistently fed more calories than they can burn off.

An average-sized domestic male cat should weigh roughly between four and six kilos, while a female should weigh approximately three to five kilos. A cat that is 10 to 19 per cent heavier than its ideal weight is regarded as overweight. Over 20 per cent, and it is classified as obese. When the calorie intake of a cat persistently exceeds the amount of energy it expends in play and exercise, weight gain will slowly accumulate and the composition of its body will change.

Fat cats will develop folds of skin and fat around their waist, and pendulous fat in the lower part of their belly near the groin. The bottom line is that the excess weight will almost certainly negatively affect the cat’s quality of life and health.

Other than weight gain, symptoms related to obesity include lethargy, breathlessness, lameness, osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, digestive problems, high blood pressure, hormonal problems, kidney disease, urinary disease and even some forms of cancer.

All owners have a responsibility of care towards their companion animals and making sure that pets eat and live well is one of the most important aspects of animal welfare

As in humans, it inevitably shortens life expectancy. It’s also worth pointing out that obese cats are harder for a vet to examine because of the layers of fat and difficulty obtaining blood. The quality of ultrasound imaging is also impeded and the risk of death occurring during anaesthesia and/or surgery is higher. From the behavioural aspect, obese cats find it increasingly difficult to groom themselves which, in turn, results in an increased risk of skin disorders.

They also find it difficult to tolerate heat and exercise. The sad thing is that this is a totally preventable disease and it is often brought on by well-meaning and loving pet owners. The good news is that if it is dealt with in time and under the guidance of a vet, it is often a reversible disease, so if you suspect that your pet may be obese, do take it to your vet.

Your vet will check for obesity by weighing your cat and scoring its body condition. They will also physically examine your cat by feeling its body. All this will take into consideration the breed. Having diagnosed obesity due to overnutrition, your vet will offer plenty of advice and guidance.

A diet plan and feeding schedule that focuses on achieving weight loss in a healthy manner and time span will probably be prescribed. If you have hitherto adopted the tendency to feed ad libitum, that is leaving food out all the time just in case your cat gets hungry, that will probably be one of the first things you will be advised to change.

There are also veterinary-prescription diets that promote weight loss, and if you prefer to feed your cat home-cooked food, your vet will guide you accordingly. Treats, if any, need to be minimal and as natural as possible and should be considered as part of your cat’s overall calorie intake. Exercise is also essential to help your cat burn off some of the calorie intake, and some play time with good interaction will  go a long way towards weight reduction.

All owners have a responsibility of care towards their companion animals and making sure that pets eat and live well is one of the most important aspects of animal welfare. Chester has now been placed on a diet plan that will see him lose weight gradually and in a manner that can be sustained.  Regular check-ins will also ensure that his weight loss is monitored carefully.

thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com

Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.

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