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Practice Scenario
Meet KITTY
A 3-month-old, spayed-female, mixed-breed kitten
- Kitty is at the clinic for physical examination and vaccination.
- The local animal shelter rescued and spayed Kitty about 3 weeks prior to her adoption by this owner.
- The owner is currently feeding a canned kitten food and wonders about the best way to feed Kitty as she grows.
Adult Cat, Kitten
Kittens and Adult Cats: The Importance of Staying Lean
Overweight and obese cats are at risk for several chronic diseases and a shorter life span. Prevention of obesity by regularly monitoring their body condition, starting as young adults, and adjusting the amount of food as needed can help cats live longer, healthier lives.
Key Messages
- Preventing obesity is better ꟷ and easier ꟷ than treating it, especially considering the challenges associated with putting a cat on a weight loss program.
- Obesity in cats is associated with an increased risk of a shortened life span and several health conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract diseases, liver problems, lameness and skin diseases.
- A recent study also reported a high body condition score to be associated with hypertension, asthma, diarrhea, eye problems and allergic conditions in cats.
- Routinely monitoring a cat’s body condition at home is simple and easy ꟷ look for a waist from above, check for a tummy tuck from the side and feel over the ribs.
- If changes are noticed in a cat’s body condition, the amount of food fed can be adjusted as needed.
"Keeping your kitten/cat lean and preventing them from becoming overweight is far easier than putting your cat on a diet. Keeping your cat in an optimal body condition may also reduce the risk for several chronic health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure."
To Share With Pet Owner:
Body Condition System Progress Chart Cat
The Progress Chart should be used with the Feline Body Condition System Sheet to help track a pet’s weight loss or gain.
View Tool
1 min to 5 min
Evaluating Your Cat’s Body Condition
Assess your cat's Body Condition in just 3 simple steps.
View Video
1 min to 5 min
Benefits of Healthy Weight
Although there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy weight in pets, many owners do not understand what a healthy weight is or the benefits for pets.
View Hot Topic
6 min to 10 min
Additional Resources
Laflamme, D. P. (2012). Obesity in dogs and cats: What is wrong with being fat? Journal of Animal Science, 90(5), 1653-1662. doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4571
Teng, K. T., McGreevy, P. D., Toribio, J. A. L. M. L., Raubenheimer, D., Kendall, K., & Dhand, N. K. (2018). Associations of body condition score with health conditions related to overweight and obesity in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 59(10), 603-615. doi: 10.1111/jsap.12905
Hoelmkjaer, K. M., & Bjornvad, C. R. (2014). Management of obesity in cats. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 5, 97-107. doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S40869