Cat behaviour

Why is my Cat Fat?

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 16, 2017
Why is my Cat Fat?

Cats are pets which improve the lives of many people. However, sometimes owners become highly concerned when they notice their cats getting fat for no apparent reason, beyond that of eating too much.

In this argument lies only a part of the solution, and so at OneHowTo we'll answer your question - why is my cat fat? - so you can regulate your pet's weight and prolong a healthy life.

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Contents

  1. Weight problems in cats
  2. How to estimate my cat's weight
  3. How to get your cat to a normal weight

Weight problems in cats

The majority of owners neuter their cats at an early age. This makes the animals need only one third of the food they required before castration, and so if they continue eating the same amount of food than they did before they will easily and quickly become fat.

This inadequate intake of food results in cats being overweight. With that problem comes the emergence of various diseases. It is very likely that if your cat becomes too fat it may suffer from diabetes, arthritis, cutaneous problems, heart disease and a greater risk of cancer.

Furthermore, an overweight cat will have three times more risk of death after reaching seven years of age than a cat that does not suffer this condition; therefore, we recommend you become proactive to avoid your cat putting on weight.

If you have doubts, we recommend our articles on how much should my cat eat and how to make healthy homemade food for my cat.

How to estimate my cat's weight

Many owners do not know whether their cat is overweight. To know if this is the case it is important to analyze both the length and the size of the rear legs and abdomen. If you can feel your cat's ribs directly from their back, you will be able to confirm that your cat is not overweight. Otherwise, you must act to reduce its weight as soon as possible. Even if your cat is at a normal weight, remember to monitor it on a regular basis.

How to get your cat to a normal weight

There are steps you can take to prevent your cat from suffering from excess weight. It is best if it eats several small meals a day; in the case that you are away from home during many hours, you can supply food using an automatic dispenser.

In the event that the cat requests more food it is important that you do not give in to the request and distract it offering games or affection. Furthermore, it is important that you dedicate some time to play with it daily.

With regard to the cat's diet, it is important that you do not overdo it rewarding your cat with sweets or treats. Quite the contrary, you must provide a balanced diet based on food that does not encourage weight gain. In this way you will help your cat have a much longer and happy life.

Here we show you how to make a cat lose weight.

If you want to read similar articles to Why is my Cat Fat?, we recommend you visit our Pets category.

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1 comment
cleo
my cat is very fat but all I feed him is dry cat food and he really does'nt eat much
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Cleo
Dry food can in fact cause cats to gain weight. If your cat is fat we recommend changing its diet to avoid problems in the future and to help your cat lose weight. Try to offer your cat wet food, which will keep it fuller for longer. For more, we recommend taking a look at this article to help you:
https://www.animalwised.com/is-my-cat-overweight-2829.html
Why is my Cat Fat?