Cats are cute with their round bodies, but did you know that excessive obesity is actually very bad for cats' health? Not only will cats suffer from diseases such as arthritis and diabetes, but it will also greatly shorten their lifespan. So, what exactly causes cats to become obese? And how can we feed them scientifically to help them maintain a healthy weight? Let's take a closer look.

How to determine whether a cat is obese?

According to data from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association WSAVA, the ideal body shape standard for cats can be evaluated using the body shape score (BCS) scale. BCS is divided into 9 points, and the ideal body shape should be between 4 and 5 points.
1. Specific methods for judging the ideal body shape:
· Touch the ribs: they can be easily touched but not prominent
· Observe the waist: it is obvious from the top that the waist is behind the ribs
· Check the abdomen: in addition to the loose and elastic skin of the original bag, there is a small amount of fat pad

2. Weight reference value:
· The standard weight of cats of different breeds varies greatly:
· General domestic cats: 3.5-4.5 kg
· Large breeds such as Maine Coons: 5-8 kg
· Small breeds such as Siamese cats: 2.5-4 kg
It should be noted that this is only a reference value. It is recommended to record the normal weight of the cat. If it increases by more than 20%, you need to pay attention.
Tips: If the cat itself suffers from a consumptive disease such as chronic renal failure, it is only necessary to reach the "target weight" required for the cat's own health. That is, the weight that can improve the quality of life and minimize the burden and risk of obesity. The target weight is not necessarily the ideal weight of 5 points, but it must be the weight value that makes the cat in the best condition.

Common causes of cat obesity

Cat obesity is the result of multiple factors. The common reasons are as follows:

It should be noted that many cat owners feel sorry for their cats and can't help but feed them more, which causes cats to consume too many calories, which is the most common cause of cat obesity.
Therefore, strictly controlling the daily food intake of cats and interacting and playing with cats more is one of the best ways for cats to maintain an ideal body shape.

What are the risks of cat obesity?

The harm caused by cat obesity should not be underestimated, as shown below:
· Joint disease: Excessive weight will cause great pressure on cats' joints, increase the risk of arthritis, lead to mobility problems, and even paralysis.
· Diabetes: Obesity is one of the main risk factors for cats to develop diabetes, and the risk of disease is 3-5 times higher than that of healthy cats. Diabetes can cause a variety of complications and seriously affect the quality of life of cats.
· Cardiovascular disease: Obesity will increase the burden on the heart of cats, causing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and hypertension, which are seriously life-threatening.
· Liver disease: Excessive fat accumulation in the liver will cause fatty liver, damage liver function, and even cause liver failure.
· Shortened lifespan: Several studies have shown that the average lifespan of obese cats is significantly shorter than that of healthy cats.
The risks caused by cat obesity are specifically classified as follows:

How to scientifically calculate the daily feeding amount of cats?

1. What is RER?
Before we start calculating how much cats should eat every day, let's first understand a concept - basal metabolic rate. Simply put, it is the energy consumed by cats to maintain life activities when they are at rest. We call this energy consumption value resting energy requirement (RER).
By understanding the RER of cats, we can more scientifically calculate the total calories required by cats every day, so as to formulate a healthy diet plan to help cats maintain their ideal weight.
The RER calculation formula is as follows:

When the weight (W) coefficient is 2~45kg, the calculation formula can also be used:
RER=30×W (kg) +70 calculation.
*It should be noted that:
· This formula is only an estimate, and the actual RER may vary due to individual differences, age, health status, activity level and other factors of cats.
· For kittens, elderly cats, sick cats or very active cats, this formula may not be accurate and needs to be adjusted according to the specific situation.

2. What is DER?
DER refers to the total energy required by animals every day under different conditions. It changes with the life stage and the amount of activity. To calculate DER, you only need to multiply the RER by the corresponding coefficient. (DER=RER*r)
Cats of different ages, breeds and different amounts of exercise have different coefficients (r). Generally speaking:

Calculation example:

3. How to calculate the ME (kcal/kg) of pet food?
After understanding how much energy a pet needs every day, the next question is: How much pet food should be fed every day? This involves an important concept - metabolizable energy (ME). ME refers to the energy that a pet can actually use from food.
In general, the ME value will be marked on the pet food packaging, but understanding the calculation method of ME will help us understand the nutritional needs of pets more deeply.
Calculation formula:
ME (kcal/kg) = (Protein percentage * 35 + Fat percentage * 85 + Carbohydrate percentage * 35) * 100 kcal
Tips: Data that must be brought out of the pet food factory: protein, fat, fiber, moisture, ash, and other supplementary elements

The calculation of ME involves the content of nutrients such as protein, fat, and carbohydrates in food, as well as the digestion and absorption rate of these ingredients by pets. However, for ordinary pet owners, there is no need to calculate ME by themselves, just refer to the value on the pet food packaging.

4. How much pet food should be fed to pets every day?
After understanding the daily energy requirement (DER) of pets and the metabolizable energy (ME) of pet food, we can use a simple formula to calculate the amount of food that pets should be fed every day.
Calculation formula:
Pet daily feeding amount (g) = Pet daily energy requirement (kcal) ÷ ​​Pet food metabolizable energy (kcal/kg)
Calculation example:
Assuming that a 5KG adult cat (sterilized) needs 281 kcal of energy per day, and the ME of the cat food fed is 3500 kcal/kg, then the cat should be fed every day:
281 kcal ÷ 3500 kcal/kg = 0.08kg = 80g

Summary

Caring for the health of cats requires not only scientific knowledge, but also practical actions. Although it is cute to see cats become round, the health caused by excessive layout cannot be ignored. As responsible shit shovelers, we should:
First, establish a scientific feeding concept, regularly check the body shape of cats through the BCS body shape score table, calculate the daily calorie requirement according to the actual situation, and strictly control the food intake.
Secondly, it is necessary to increase the interaction time with cats and maintain healthy weight management through sufficient exercise.
Finally, be patient and persistent. Weight management is a gradual process that requires the cooperation and persistence of the whole family. If you find that your cat is underweight, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian in time and develop a professional management plan.
I hope this article can help more cat lovers understand the relevant knowledge of cat obesity and feeding, and work together to protect the health of cats. Let's create a better life for cats!

Data source:
Pet Nutrition Alliance
https://petnutritionalliance.org/
World Small Animal Veterinary Association
https://wsava.org/
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/