Indoor Cat Obesity: A Preventable Welfare Crisis

Obesity affects an estimated 50% of UK cats and causes serious welfare harm through chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan.

Key Facts

Over 50% of cats seen by UK vets are overweight or obese
Obesity increases risk of diabetes, osteoarthritis, hepatic lipidosis, and urinary disease
Indoor cats are at higher obesity risk due to reduced exercise opportunities
Ad-libitum dry food feeding is the primary dietary cause of feline obesity
Successful feline weight loss requires slow reduction over months to prevent hepatic lipidosis

Welfare Considerations

Feline obesity is primarily a human-caused welfare problem. The combination of ad-libitum dry food feeding, minimal hunting and exercise, and high-calorie treats creates chronic positive energy balance. Obese cats experience chronic orthopaedic pain, heat intolerance, and respiratory compromise. Weight loss in cats requires veterinary supervision — rapid loss causes hepatic lipidosis, a potentially fatal liver condition. Prevention through measured feeding, food puzzles, and interactive play is far more achievable than treatment.

What You Can Do

Measure cat food portions rather than free-feeding dry food
Replace one daily meal with a food puzzle to reduce feeding rate and increase activity
Schedule regular body condition scoring at veterinary check-ups
Eliminate or strictly limit treats — they contribute disproportionate calories
Consult a veterinary nutritionist for a supervised weight loss plan if your cat is already obese