Cat obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries, causing a cascade of secondary welfare problems that dramatically reduce quality and length of life.
Obesity causes chronic pain from osteoarthritis made worse by excess weight, diabetes mellitus requiring insulin injections, difficulty grooming resulting in poor coat and skin condition, and reduced mobility that limits normal feline behaviors. Many obese cats cannot jump, groom their hindquarters, or engage in normal play, leading to progressive behavioral impoverishment. The normalization of overweight cats by owners who perceive their cat's weight as comfortable or healthy prevents recognition of welfare compromise. Weight loss in obese cats requires careful management to avoid dangerous hepatic lipidosis.