Does obesity shorten a cat's life?

Cat obesity is a growing problem in the feline population and research has been conducted to understand the causes and potential solutions. Studies have shown that the primary cause of obesity in cats is overfeeding and lack of exercise. Environmental factors, such as indoor living and lack of access to the outdoors, can also contribute to weight gain.

Research has also shown that there are genetic and hormonal factors that can contribute to obesity in cats. For example, some cats may have a genetic predisposition to obesity, while others may have hormonal imbalances that make it difficult to lose weight. It has also found that certain breeds of cats, such as the Maine Coon and Siamese, are more prone to obesity than others. In addition, studies have also investigated the use of drugs and other medical interventions to aid in weight loss.

There are several ways to determine if your cat is overweight:

Body condition score (BCS): A veterinarian can assess your cat's body condition score by visually evaluating their body shape and feeling their ribs, spine, and other bony structures. A score of 5 or 6 on a 9-point scale is considered ideal.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A veterinarian can calculate your cat's body mass index, which is a measure of their weight in relation to their height. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
Visually assessing: You can also visually assess your cat's body shape to determine if they are overweight. An overweight cat will have a rounded or "pot-bellied" appearance and may have a thick layer of fat over their ribs and spine.
Ribs feel: Run your hands over your cat's ribcage, you should be able to feel their ribs with a slight layer of fat over them.
Waist: Look at your cat from above, they should have a defined waist and their abdominal area should tuck up behind the ribcage.

It's important to note that not all cats will look the same, some breeds such as Maine Coon or British Shorthair might have more fur and it will be harder to see their ribs, in that case, a BCS or BMI would be more accurate.

To combat cat obesity

Consult with a veterinarian: A veterinarian can help determine if your cat has any underlying health conditions that are contributing to their weight gain and provide a personalized diet and exercise plan. Measure food portions: Make sure you are measuring out the appropriate serving sizes of food for your cat based on their weight and activity level.

Increase exercise: Encourage your cat to be more active by providing interactive toys and playing with them regularly.
Limit treats: Treats should only make up a small percentage of your cat's overall diet.
Keep track of progress: Regularly weigh your cat and monitor their body condition score to track their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their diet and exercise plan.

Gradual weight loss: Gradual weight loss is better for cats than rapid weight loss. Aim for a weight loss of 1-2% of body weight per week.
Feed high protein diet: Cats are obligate carnivores and they thrive on high protein diet. Feed your cat high- quality protein diet.