Feline obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in companion cats, affecting an estimated 25-40% of pet cats in Western countries. It causes significant suffering through reduced mobility, chronic pain, and shortened lifespan.
Obesity in cats is not a cosmetic concern but a chronic disease state that diminishes quality of life. Obese cats groom less effectively, often suffer from chronic joint pain they cannot articulate, and are at elevated risk for conditions requiring long-term medical management. The welfare problem is often invisible to owners who perceive a heavier cat as healthy or well-fed. Veterinary weight management programmes that include dietary restructuring, measured meal feeding, and environmental enrichment for physical activity show the best outcomes. Key to prevention is recognising that many cats are skilled at soliciting food beyond their energy needs — and that resisting this behaviour is an act of care rather than unkindness.