Feline Obesity: Why Fat Kittens Are No Laughing Matter

Feline obesity is not taken seriously as a major medical problem. Many people believe that it’s cute and funny to see fat kittens and cats. But, what people fail to grasp is how big (pardon the pun) of a problem obesity is in felines.

According to some estimates 25% of domesticated felines are overweight. Worse of all, obesity can shorten the lifespan of our furry friends. Start your kitten off on the right paw and prevent feline obesity.

How Do I Know If My Feline Is Obese?

All felines need body fat. Fat provides insulation and is protective. However, there can be too much of a good thing.

In adult cats, you should be able to feel your feline’s ribs underneath a thin layer of fat. With obesity you may see an excessively round face, a large protruding abdomen, and chubby legs.

In kittens, excessive body fat may be much more difficult to detect. It is often easier to keep track of their weight on a weekly or biweekly basis. You can use a baby scale or other small scale.

What Causes Feline Obesity?

There are many causes of feline obesity. Some causes are human initiated and others stem from underlying feline health issues. Here are some common causes of obesity in felines:

• Overfeeding

  Overfeeding is the most common reason for feline obesity. Human overeating and obesity is common in western cultures. An obese feline may be reflective its owners lifestyle. Owners may love their felines and want to show their love and affection through food.

  Felines can also be persistent in asking for food. They may meow excessively, beg, and jump on tables in order get the food they want. This is where training comes in. It is crucial to set boundaries on feline behavior especially when they beg for treats.

• Spaying and Neutering

  Spaying and neutering can lower the feline metabolism of food. After getting your feline altered you may need to feed them either less food or less often.

• Poor Dietary Choices

  Poor dietary choices occur when feline owners give their pet human food. Sure, felines love getting meals of fried chicken and french fries. But, felines can easily get use to getting fed fatty human foods and reject their regular food. It sets up a viscous cycle.

  Start your kitten off right. If possible, don’t give them food from the table. If you must, make it a rare treat and only give high protein, leaner cuts of chicken, beef, and organ meats.

• Metabolic Problems

  Metabolic problems can be a real factor in the development of obesity. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce thyroid hormone. The lack of thyroid hormone can affect many bodily functions. Your kitten may act sluggish, depressed, and may gain quite a bit of weight. Hypothyroidism is remedied by replacing the missing hormone with a synthetic form of the hormone via a pill.

  Cushing’s disease occurs when the body’s adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. Kittens may display hair loss, weight gain, and thinning skin. To treat Cushing’s disease, felines may require medications and/or removal of the problem gland.

• Tumors

  Tumors can also cause feline obesity. Tumors that affect the area of the brain that regulates hunger (hypothalamus) can dramatically increase a kitten’s weight.

• Medications

  Medications can slow the metabolism. Long term use of mood stabilizing drugs and antipsychotic medications that are used to regulate feline behavior can cause weight gain. In addition, anti-seizure medications used in epileptic felines can also cause weight gain.

• Inactivity

  Inactivity is usually not a problem with kittens. They’re naturally curious and active. Adult cats may need encouragement to play and get active.

Obese Kittens

Kittens have special dietary needs. They require more dietary fat, calories, and protein than adult cats. They are rapidly growing. However, one can go overboard with feeding kittens too much food. A newborn kitten needs more food, more often.

As kittens get older you may need to pull on back on the amount of food given. Closely monitor your kitten’s weight. Ask your vet about your kitten’s weight, if it is appropriate for its age, breed, etc. You do not want to set your kitten up for weight problems as they head into their adult years.

Feline Obesity-Related Health Problems

Excessive fat places pressure on internal organs and stresses the body. Here are some obesity-related health problems:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Liver Problems
• Respiratory Problems
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular problems
• Increased of risk of death during surgical procedures

What Can I Do About Feline Obesity?

• If overeating is a problem, set regular mealtimes instead of
• grazing.
• Feed felines a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates
• Play and run around with your kittens and adult cats
• Limit human foods (treats only!)
• Chart your kitten’s and adult cat’s weight regularly

Remember…it’s up to you to prevent feline obesity in your kitten.

Return from Feline Obesity
to Kitten Health

Return from Feline Obesity
to All About Cute Kittens Homepage