Cat Treats and Obesity: What You Need to Know

As a cat owner, you want to shower your furry friend with love and affection. What better way to do that than with tasty treats? However, it's important to understand the link between treats and obesity so you can prevent weight gain. Here's what you need to know.

The Obesity Epidemic in Cats

Obesity is a growing health concern for cats. Studies estimate that around 60% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese. Carrying excess weight can lead to diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. It also lowers your cat's quality of life and lifespan.

As cat owners, we play a major role in helping our cats maintain a healthy weight. Understanding proper nutrition, portion control, and the impact of treats is key.

Are Cat Treats Bad?

Cat treats themselves are not inherently bad. In fact, they can be used as part of a healthy lifestyle for your cat. Many treats contain nutritious ingredients, vitamins and minerals. Others help promote dental health.

The problem lies in how much treats are fed. Even healthy treats should compose only a small portion of your cat's daily calorie intake. Only 10% of calories should come from treats, with the other 90% coming from a nutritionally balanced cat food.

Risk Factors of Feline Obesity

Some cats are more prone to weight gain than others. Risk factors include:

• Breed - Some breeds like Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats are bigger and thus require less calorically dense food.
• Age - Middle age and senior cats tend to gain weight more easily. Their metabolism slows down, but appetite often remains strong.
• Activity level - Less active cats require fewer daily calories than energetic, playful cats. Without adjusting food, low activity leads to weight gain.
• Spaying/neutering - This procedure often decreases a cat's metabolism and increases food motivation.
• Diet - Diets high in carbs and calories allow cats to easily overconsume.

The Dangers of Obesity

Carrying excess weight shortens cats' lifespan by over 2 years on average. Obese cats experience myriad health problems:

• Osteoarthritis - Excess weight strains joints and leads to arthritis which causes chronic pain.
• Diabetes - Common in overweight cats, diabetes requires lifelong insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
• Heart disease - Excess fat puts strain on the heart muscle which could result in heart failure.
• Breathing issues - Pressure on the chest cavity from fat makes it difficult for obese cats to breathe properly.
• Cancer - Obese cats have higher rates of fatty tumors, mammary tumors and more.
• Lower quality of life from decreased mobility and energy.

Clearly, maintaining a healthy weight is imperative for your cat's wellbeing. But it can be confusing to know how many treats are too many.

Guidelines for Cat Treats

Follow these tips for appropriately incorporating treats into your cat's eating plan:

• Stick to the 10% rule for treats
• Pay attention to treat calorie count
• Break treats into smaller pieces for portion control
• Substitute playtime or petting for some treat times
• Pick healthy, low calorie options (like pure meat treats)
• Only give treats during scheduled training times
• Avoid leaving treats out for free feeding
• If your cat is overweight, stop treats until weight is lost

Keeping Your Cat at a Healthy Weight

As a cat guardian, one of the most important things you can do is help your furry friend maintain a healthy weight. By understanding your cat's risk for obesity, setting limits on treats, measuring food portions, and providing plenty of exercise and playtime, you set them up for better health now and as they age. Monitor your cat's weight routinely and adjust if you notice gains or losses. Partner with your veterinarian for advice catered to your individual cat. Stay informed on latest pet health guidelines. With a little diligence, your beloved feline can thrive at a healthy size for years to come.