Cat obesity has become one of the most common preventable welfare problems in companion animals. Understanding its causes and consequences is essential for improving feline health and quality of life.
Obesity impairs cat welfare through its effects on mobility, play, grooming, thermoregulation, and physiological health. Obese cats are at higher risk of life-threatening conditions including diabetes and liver disease, and experience the daily welfare costs of reduced ability to perform normal feline behaviours including jumping, playing, and self-grooming. The relationship between owner feeding behaviour and cat obesity is complex: many owners use food as an expression of affection and interpret requests for food as hunger rather than attention-seeking. Breaking this cycle requires both dietary management and increased environmental enrichment that provides stimulation without relying on food. Veterinary guidance on appropriate body condition scoring and caloric intake is essential, as most owners significantly underestimate whether their cat is overweight.