Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to recognize and manage obesity in cats
By Zoran, Debra L·Published in Compendium (Yardley, PA)·2009·Texas A&M University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Feline obesity: clinical recognition and management.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Obesity is a common issue in cats that veterinarians often see, and it can lead to serious health problems like diabetes and liver disease, which can make cats sick and even shorten their lives. A cat is considered obese if it weighs more than 20% over its ideal weight. This article aims to help everyone involved in cat care understand how to prevent obesity in young cats and how to create a safe and effective weight-loss plan for adult cats that are already overweight. The focus is on recognizing the problem early and managing it properly.
Abstract
Obesity is one of the most common clinical problems in cats presenting to veterinary practitioners. Because it is a risk factor for other conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and hepatic lipidosis, it not only increases the morbidity of affected cats but may also shorten their life span. In cats, a body weight of greater than 20% over the ideal weight of the animal is generally accepted as obese. The goal of this article is to help all members of the health care team understand how to prevent the development of obesity in young cats and, when confronted with an obese adult cat, how to develop a safe and effective weight-loss program.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19746348/