Companion Animals

Cat Obesity Assessment and Health Risks

Feline obesity is a significant welfare concern linked to multiple serious health conditions. Accurate body condition assessment is the foundation of prevention.

Key Facts

An estimated 25-40% of pet cats are overweight or obese
Obesity significantly increases risk of diabetes, urinary disease, and arthritis
Neutering increases obesity risk through metabolic changes
Cats are naturally nibblers but ad libitum dry food frequently causes weight gain
Body condition scoring on a 9-point scale identifies overweight cats before health problems develop

Welfare Considerations

Obese cats experience reduced quality of life through reduced mobility, chronic pain from joint disease, and increased disease risk. Many owners do not recognise their cat is overweight because gradual weight gain is normalised. Regular body condition assessment at veterinary visits and at home enables early intervention before obesity-related diseases develop.

What You Can Do

Learn to body condition score your cat using a 9-point scale
Feed measured portions calculated from target weight rather than current weight
Discuss weight management plans with your vet if your cat is overweight