Feline obesity affects over a third of adult cats in developed countries and significantly compromises welfare through associated health conditions and reduced mobility.
Feline obesity causes chronic welfare compromise through pain from arthritis exacerbated by excess weight, reduced mobility limiting natural behaviors, metabolic disease risk, and reduced quality and length of life. Many owners perceive overweight cats as normal or healthy given the high prevalence, making accurate body condition assessment by veterinarians essential. Dietary management, puzzle feeders that slow eating and add activity, and play enrichment are effective welfare interventions. Preventing obesity through appropriate feeding from a young age is far more effective than weight loss in established obese cats.