5 Health Complications Associated with Overweight Cats
While cats often like to spend time exploring or batting around their favourite toy, they tend to spend most of their time relaxing. As such, it might not seem like a big deal if they start to put on a little weight. However, an overweight cat will be at added risk of several health issues that can decrease their quality of life and potentially shorten their life.
As such, it's important to see your vet so they can help you put together a diet and exercise plan that will help your feline friend get back in shape. Here are just five health complications you'll help them avoid by taking that step.
1. Diabetes
Just like humans, cats can develop diabetes and are far more likely to do so when they are overweight. Diabetes is a very common condition in obese cats since additional fat will interfere with the body's ability to regulate glucose. If your cat does develop diabetes, they may require daily insulin injections for the rest of their lives.
2. Difficulty Grooming
If your cat is overweight, you might notice that they can't groom themselves as effectively as before. With all that extra padding, it's much harder for them to reach every area of their body. This can be a big problem since cats need to groom themselves to prevent everything from uncomfortable matting to serious skin problems.
3. Joint Problems
When a cat is carrying extra weight, added pressure is placed on their joints, as well as on their tendons and ligaments. Given how much cats like to jump down from high places, any additional weight can be particularly hard on the joints. This often leads to arthritic changes, which can greatly impact a cat's quality of life and prevent them from moving around like they used to.
4. Poor Immune System
Overweight cats often suffer from compromised immune systems, which means they will be more likely to develop infections and less able to fight those infections off. Urinary infections can be particularly common, especially since overweight cats are generally less active and drink less water than cats who are at a healthy weight.
5. Heart Problems
When a cat is overweight, their heart must work harder to pump blood around all that additional tissue. Blood pressure will often be high in overweight cats, which can lead to heart disease. If the issue is not addressed, your cat may eventually suffer from congestive heart failure.
If you notice any of these issues, reach out to a local vet.