Feline obesity affects an estimated 35-40% of companion cats in developed countries, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan, with owner behaviour and feeding practices being the primary controllable risk factors.
Cat obesity is a welfare epidemic driven by evolutionary mismatch between the cat hunting drive and the passive food availability of domestic life, combined with owner normalisation of overweight body condition. An obese cat lives with chronic joint pain, struggles with basic activities including grooming, jumping, and using litter trays, and faces significantly increased risk of serious metabolic disease. The welfare responsibility lies squarely with the owner because cats cannot moderate their own intake when food is freely available. Measured twice-daily meals appropriate to metabolic needs, activity encouragement through play, and regular weight monitoring are the welfare-positive tools available to address this preventable condition.