Feline obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries, with serious welfare consequences. Understanding the causes, health risks, and evidence-based management approaches empowers owners to protect their cats from this preventable condition.
Cat obesity causes chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan, yet is frequently normalised by owners who view chubby cats as cute or well-fed. The welfare cost is substantial: obese cats suffer from joint pain that limits grooming and play, metabolic disease requiring lifelong management, and psychological deprivation when food restriction is imposed without alternative enrichment. The root causes are predominantly environmental and managerial: inappropriate diet, unrestricted feeding, sedentary indoor environments, and owner reluctance to implement veterinary weight management plans. Effective management requires a combination of dietary caloric restriction — ideally guided by a veterinary nutritionist — and environmental enrichment to increase physical activity through play, food puzzles, and vertical space. Gradual weight loss (no more than 1-2% body weight per week) is essential to prevent hepatic lipidosis.