Feline Obesity: Helping Your Cat Reach Their Purr-fect Weight

In Australia, approximately one-third of cats are overweight or obese¹. While a “chonky” cat might look cute, feline obesity is a serious health concern that can significantly shorten their lifespan.

In the wild, cats spend up to 50% of their day hunting. They aren’t always successful in their quest for food, so they often expend energy without eating. Compare that to a domesticated cat who spends most of their time napping in a sunny spot while their food is served in a bowl. Their calorie intake is simply exceeding their energy output, leading to excessive weight gain.

We show our cats love through food and bond by giving them treats, but “too much love” can be detrimental to their health.

Health Risks Of Feline Obesity

Feline obesity can significantly shorten a cat’s lifespan, reducing the precious time you get to spend with them. Beyond longevity, it impacts their daily quality of life. Chronic health issues also mean more frequent vet visits, medications, and diagnostic tests – which cost the owner money. Common health risks for overweight cats include:

Diabetes Mellitus

Obese cats experience a 50% decrease in insulin sensitivity, drastically increasing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This often requires lifelong daily medication, ongoing testing and strict dietary management.

Urinary Issues

Excess weight is closely linked to a higher risk of urolithiasis (bladder stones) and other painful urinary tract issues, which can be particularly dangerous for male cats.

Joint Pain

Carrying extra weight puts immense stress on a cat’s joints. This is a leading cause of osteoarthritis, making simple movements like jumping onto a favourite chair painful and difficult. This creates a difficult cycle: pain leads to less movement, which causes weight gain and muscle loss. This places additional strain on the joints, resulting in more pain and even less mobility.

Heart & Lung Distress

Obesity strains the heart and lungs, making it harder for cats to breathe and circulate oxygen. It can also lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), which often causes secondary damage to the kidneys and eyes.

Grooming Difficulties

Overweight cats often lose the flexibility needed to groom themselves properly. This leads to matted fur, flaky skin, and urine scolding, which can result in uncomfortable skin infections.

Surgical Risk

Overweight cats have a higher risk of anaesthesia and recovery complications. Depending on the surgery, it can also take longer and be more difficult to perform if the patient is carrying excess fat.

Is Your Cat Overweight?

Ideally, you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs easily with a thin layer of fat over them, and see a visible waistline when looking down from above.

Use a Body Condition Score (BCS) to check if your cat is overweight or obese. You can also use the Royal Canin BCS Tool for an interactive view.

How To Help Your Cat Lose Weight

Maintaining your cat at a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for their health and well-being. To put it in perspective, 1kg of weight loss in a cat is equivalent to a human losing 16kg.
​​​​​​​Remember, small amounts matter and aim for a slow reduction in weight. It can take months to a year for them to safely reach their ideal weight.

Weight loss strategies for cats include:

The Right Diet

Diets like Royal Canin Satiety use a specialised high-fibre blend to help cats feel physically full and satisfied between meals, which is perfect for those who are always asking for “seconds.” Other options include Hills Metabolic, which works with your cat’s unique biology to “flip the switch” from storing fat to burning it for energy.

If your cat has other health needs, such as food allergies or urinary concerns, multimodal diets from Royal Canin and Hills are a great option. These specialised formulas are designed to address multiple needs at once. Ask your vet which diet is best for your cat.

The Right Amount

A common mistake is feeding the cat for their current weight instead of their ideal weight. Always follow the feeding guide based on the weight your cat should be, not what they are now. If your cat continues to beg for food, you can bulk up their meals with safe, low-calorie options like steamed or boiled zucchini.

Diversion

It is a common mistake to assume that whenever your pet seeks attention from you, they are requesting food. The reality is, 9 times out of 10, they are likely just looking for engagement or something to do. Instead of offering food, try playing, petting/cuddling or grooming them.

Stop “Graze” Feeding

Leaving food out all day (free-feeding) is a major contributor to weight gain. Instead, provide 2 to 3 distinct, measured meals per day to better control caloric intake. Automatic timed feeders can dispense small portions throughout the day to prevent overeating and regulate appetite.

Watch the Treats

Frequent treats between meals are a significant factor in feline obesity. A single piece of cheese for a cat can be the caloric equivalent of two and a half hamburgers for a human. Treats should never exceed 10% of a cat’s total daily calories, and those calories must be deducted from their main daily food allowance.

Make Them “Hunt” for Food

Use treat-dispensing balls, puzzle feeders, or hide small portions of kibble around the house. You can make some yourself with things like boxes and cardboard tubes. This encourages movement, slows eating, and provides essential mental stimulation. Treat-dispensing balls also utilise their natural instinct to catch their “prey” with their paws.

Safe Exercise

Engage your cat with feather wands, laser pointers, or climbing towers to encourage short bursts of activity that mimic natural predatory behaviour. Consistent play helps maintain a healthy weight, keeps muscles strong, and wards off boredom.

Weigh Regularly

Weigh your cat consistently to track their progress. Use the Body Condition Score (BCS) chart to monitor changes in their body shape and adjust their food allowance as needed to reach and maintain their ideal weight.

Underlying Issues

It is important to note that weight gain isn’t always caused by overeating or a lack of exercise. Certain medical conditions can cause a cat to gain weight or develop a “pot-bellied” appearance, such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) or fluid retention resulting from heart failure.

If you are concerned that your cat’s weight is increasing despite a controlled diet, or if you notice other symptoms like lethargy, increased thirst, or coat changes, please take them to a veterinarian for a full assessment.