CAT OBESITY

[Chris]

Hi AD, there are actually several resources on cats.com related to obesity. One is a broad article on the topic you can find here: https://cats.com/feline-obesity

Here is a second one that helps you with body condition score, which is helpful for understanding how overweight a cat is relative to what their ideal body weight would be: https://cats.com/cat-obesity-chart

The third one here looks at some different diets reviewed that could help an overweight cat lose weight: https://cats.com/best-cat-food-for-overweight-cats

The fourth link here is to our cat weight calculator, which also has additional information about what an ideal weight for a cat is and estimated caloric needs for a cat to lose weight. Even if you know your cat is overweight, the calculator can help you understand by how much, and how many pounds your cat may need to lose to reach a more ideal weight: https://cats.com/weight-calculator

The fifth one reviews 5 common causes of weight gain, which can be helpful to learn about, as overfeeding is not the only cause: https://cats.com/weight-gain-in-cats

And then the last one here provides some guidance on how to put a cat on a diet: https://cats.com/how-to-put-a-cat-on-a-diet

I hope those provide some helpful information to get you started.

cats.com

Feline Obesity - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cats.com

Is your cat one of the 33 million-plus obese American felines? JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM explains feline obesity and what you can do to treat it. 

[Thompson]

Hi AD,

You’re right, cat obesity is a serious problem, and it’s often hard to find clear guidance. One thing that really helps is looking at what your cat eats. Many regular kibbles are packed with carbs and fillers, which can make cats gain weight over time.

Switching to natural cat food, high in protein and low in unnecessary carbs, can help. It keeps cats fuller for longer, supports healthy metabolism, and is closer to what cats would eat in the wild. Combined with portion control and some playtime, it can make a big difference for seriously overweight cats.