One-quarter of cat owners (28%) believed their cats’ body condition to be “normal”, even though their veterinary professional identified these same pets as overweight to obese, according to a survey conducted by the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity. Seven percent of those cats were classified as obese while their owners considered them “normal”.
“The slight increase in pet cats classified as overweight indicates more accurate clinical body condition scores (BCS), particularly for cats exceeding ideal weight or body condition by one to two pounds,” stated the authors of APOP report.
In 2022, veterinary professionals classified 61% of evaluated cats as overweight or obese – up from 60% in 2018 and 2017. Furthermore, 28% more overweight cats were identified compared to 2017 or 2018, and cat obesity remained at 33% (with two surveys taken between 2017-2022).
In 2022, 1,152 dogs and cats were evaluated by both veterinarians and pet owners as part of the APOP survey; 880 dogs and 272 cats. Pet owners completed 403 surveys about their dog or cat’s weight, nutrition and food needs.
As stated by APOP report authors, accurately assessing feline Body Condition Score can be challenging when dealing with cats with prominent primordial pouches (belly flaps) or long fur.
Health Issues in Cats with Obesity
Obesity is a physiological disorder affecting multiple body systems,” according to APOP report authors. Pet obesity often results in secondary, preventable diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis and various forms of cancer; professionals in the pet care industry need to educate pet-owning public that obesity is an illness with serious repercussions for both quality of life and life expectancy.
An overweight and obese cat’s health issues include bladder or urinary tract disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, liver disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart failure, gall bladder disorder and immobility of the spine.