Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Managing obesity and related health problems in cats
By Wang, Huakai et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2026·Food Laboratory of Zhongyuan, China·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: From pathogenesis to prevention: an update on the management of obesity and its associated comorbidities in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A common issue in cats is obesity, which can lead to serious health problems like diabetes and joint pain. Overweight cats often face complications due to factors like genetics, age, and lifestyle. To help your cat lose weight, it's important to work with your veterinarian on a personalized diet plan and encourage more exercise through play. Regular check-ups and open communication with your vet can help monitor your cat's progress and ensure they stay healthy.
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Abstract
Overweight and obesity represent the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats and constitute a significant global health issue. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge on the determinants, diagnosis, pathophysiology, complications, and comprehensive management of feline obesity. Feline overweight and obesity have a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis, arising from an interplay of intrinsic factors (e.g., genetic predisposition, age, sex, neutering status) and extrinsic factors (e.g., environment, owner behavior). The condition is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, endocrine dysregulation, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia, which collectively elevate the risk of numerous comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, urinary tract disorders, dermatopathies, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory diseases, ultimately compromising life expectancy. This means that early detection and examination of excess body weight are crucial to treatment and prevention; at the same time, weight loss should be centered around personalized nutritional intervention, combined with behavioral correction measures such as regular feeding schedules and increased physical exercise. Furthermore, maintaining good communication between clinicians and the pet owners, as well as continuous monitoring, is the key to achieving effective weight loss. Future research is needed to move beyond current reactive models and embrace a focus on metabolic health over weight, prediction over reaction, and pathogenesis over symptomatology, aiming for preemptive strategies that improve feline healthspan.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42022391/