An Obese Cat is Likely to Have Many Health Problems and a Reduced Life Expectancy

The number of fat cats is increasing at a fast rate. An fat cat is far more likely to suffer from health problems than a cat that’s a healthy weight. This article lists the main health problems that fat cats face, and tells you how you can check if your cat is overweight.

Some of the most common cat health problems that fat cats grappling are:

Cardiac problems:
The strain on the heart and clogging up of the blood vessels can cause heart unfortunate or a heart attack.

Lung problems:
Extra fat on the chest prevents proper lung expansion, so the cat gets out of breath easily. Lung
infections such as bronchitis are more likely to develop.

Skeletal problems:
The extra weight the cat’s skeleton has to carry takes its toll. Stiff joints, back problems and arthritis might eventually develop.

Diabetes:
The cat’s body can’t cope with all the excessive food, so its blood sugar rises. If this can’t be controlled, it might need insulin injections.

Liver problems:
Deposits of fat on the cat’s liver can cause liver unfortunate to develop.

Urine problems:
Urinary tract infection is more likely to occur in an fat cat than a healthy one, because an fat cat can’t keep his butt clean by washing it – because he can’t reach it.

Weakened immune system:
Obese cats are less healthy to fight off infections than their healthy counterparts.

In addition, giving anesthetics to fat cats is much more risky than with healthy weight cats. Diagnosis of illnesses is more difficult because the extra fat hinders the vet’s examination.

What does all this mean for an fat cat? A reduced calibre of life and a shortened life expectancy. For the owner, amongst other things, it means considerably higher vet’s bills.

If you think your cat might be overweight but you’re unsure, look at him from above. You should be healthy to see a region below his ribs. If he’s long haired, you might not be healthy to see it, but you should be healthy to feel it. Also, you should be healthy to feel his ribs.

If your cat is overweight, it’s in his and your interests to get him back to a healthy size. You should visit your vet in the first instance, who will advise you on the ideal diet and feeding regime for him.

 

An Obese Cat is Likely to Have Many Health Problems and a Reduced Life Expectancy

Liz Allan has 25 years experience of caring for cats. For more cat health advice, and for lots more useful information on cats including advice on dealing with cat behavior problems, visit http://www.cat-behavior-explained.com

our cat Chukky ”sitting” on the couch, YES THAT’S A CAT! and yes he’s lazy… race: Maine Coon Age: 1 weight: 17.6 LBS (a normal and healthy weight for his age/race/length

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