Unlike you humans, us cats don't have to worry about the approach of bathing suit season! However, there is a growing problem for domestic cats: obesity. As in humans, an obese cat is 20% or more above their ideal weight.

Why are so many cats obese? some of the contributing factors are overfeeding, inactivity, body type, age, and genetic predisposition. Just like you humans, the older we are, the harder it is to burn off those extra calories, so as we age, we tend to gain weight. That is why it is essential to monitor our weight early on. The best way to tell if your cat is obese is to take him/her to the veterinarian. To get a general idea, try to feel your cats ribs. If you have a hard time feeling them, then your cat is too fat.

There are hidden health risks associated with being overweight. One of the most common diseases seen in obese cats is diabetes. Diabetic cats often drink and urinate excessively and lose weight despite ravenous appetites. Left untreated, diabetic cats will eventually die from malnutrition as the body tissues are not getting adequate sugar to maintain necessary functions. Treatment often involves twice daily insulin injections, special diets and many trips to the veterinary hospital to adequately regulate sugar levels. Better to do all we can to prevent diabetes, than trying to treat this potentially deadly disease.

Another common health risk that overweight cats face is fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis). When excess calories are consumed the body reacts by storing those calories in the body as fat. If this fat is deposited in the liver in excess amounts, it can lead to liver failure. Unfortunately, cats that develop liver failure from hepatic lipidosis usually succumb to this illness. The cat becomes lazy, loses its appetite and becomes jaundiced. Treatment entails extensive forced feeding regimens while the liver heals and regains its functioning. This often takes weeks of hospitalisation on fluid and food pumps and despite all treatment cats often die from this disease. Again, rather than treat, better to prevent this deadly disease from occurring.

So, what is the correct plan of attack in trying to prevent these diseases in an overweight cat? First of all, consult your veterinarian before starting on any diet plan. Losing too much weight too fast can cause some of the same problems we described above. Restricting calories needs to be done sensibly and the cat's weight needs to be monitored regularly. Special prescription foods such as Purina or Science Plan are often used to carefully control your cat's weight loss. These diets are made to provide all the necessary nutrients while providing extra fibre to help satisfy your cat's appetite. But even prescription foods can cause your pet to lose weight too quickly if they aren't used properly.