Can cats die from obesity?

How does obesity affect a cat’s life expectancy?

Obesity shortens a cat’s life and makes them more likely to develop disease. Even being moderately overweight reduces a cat’s life expectancy. In cats, a 2.8-fold increase in mortality has been shown in obese cats (8-12 years old) compared to lean cats.

What happens if a cat is obese and stops eating?

Obese cats who stop eating are at great risk for developing a potentially life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis – a devastating liver disease. Other potential complications of obesity in cats include skin problems and difficulty fighting infectious disease. How do I know if my cat is obese?

Are there any diseases that affect an obese cat?

Other diseases such as hypothyroidism may affect an obese cat. Breed: Common or tabby cats have double the risk of suffering from obesity than pure-breed cats, except for Manx breed cats as these possess the same risk as any common cat.

Is obesity a chronic disease in cats?

Thinking of obesity as a chronic, low-level inflammatory condition is a new approach. “Excess fat negatively impacts a cat’s health and longevity.” Obese cats who stop eating are at great risk for developing a potentially life-threatening condition called hepatic lipidosis – a devastating liver disease.

What does it mean when a cat is obese?

Obesity in Cats. 3 min read. Obesity is a nutritional disease which is defined by an excess of body fat. Cats that are over nourished, lack the ability to exercise, or that have a tendency to retain weight are at risk for becoming obese.

Can a cat’s lifespan be affected by respiratory problems?

The condition generally does not affect a cat’s lifespan, so if your pet has contracted it, there is no need to panic or freak out. Speak to your veterinarian about what you can do to keep your cat’s life as healthy and pleasant as possible, from minimizing flare-ups to handling uncomfortable respiratory symptoms.

What happens if a cat is overweight for a long time?

Excessive Weight in Cats. Obesity can result in serious adverse health effects, such as reducing the lifespan of an affected cat, even if the cat is only moderately obese. Multiple areas of the body are affected by excess body fat, including the bones and joints, the digestive organs, and the organs responsible for breathing capacity.

Is my cat overweight or obese?

Body weight is easy to measure when assessing if a cat is overweight or obese – easier than trying to measure body fat. Using body weight as a guide, cats are considered to be overweight when they weigh 10-20% above their ideal body weight. They are considered obese when they weigh 20% or more above their ideal body weight.

What are the health effects of obesity in cats?

And the effects of obesity are far reaching because it contributes to many other diseases and shortens cats’ lives. What other medical conditions are associated with obesity? For overweight and obese cats, one major concern is the dramatically increased risk of diabetes mellitus.

How common is it for cats to be obese?

Approximately 30-35% of the general feline population is obese, with 50% of cats aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than their ideal weight. What is obesity? Obesity is an accumulation of excess body fat. Extra body weight and extra body fat tend to go hand in hand, so most overweight cats will have excess body fat.

What causes a cat to be overweight?

There are also medical causes of feline obesity, including hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland), hyperadrenocorticism (over-active adrenal gland), and insulinoma (insulin-secreting tumor). What does feline obesity actually look like?

What is the most common disease in cats?

Obesity in Cats. In North America, obesity is the most common preventable disease in cats. Approximately 30-35% of the general feline population is obese, with 50% of cats aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than their ideal weight.

How common is obesity in cats?

In North America, obesity is the most common preventable disease in cats. Approximately 30-35% of the general feline population is obese, with 50% of cats aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than their ideal weight. What is obesity?

Why is my cat gaining weight all of a sudden?

Obesity: Weight gain usually occurs when a cat eats too much or doesn’t exercise enough, or both. Obesity leads to accumulation of fat in the abdomen and may result in abdominal enlargement. In dogs, obesity can also be a sign of hormonal imbalance (see below).

Why is my old cat so fat?

There are several causes of obesity. The most common cause is an imbalance between the energy intake and its usage; that is, the cat is eating more than it can possibly expend. Obesity also becomes more common in old age because of the normal decreases in a cat’s ability to exercise.

How do you know if your cat is obese?

Obesity is diagnosed primarily by measuring a cat’s body weight, or by scoring its body condition, which involves assessing its body composition. Your veterinarian will do this by examining your cat, palpating its ribs, lumbar area, tail, and head. The results are then compared to the particular breed standard that your cat best matches.

What happens if a cat gets an upper respiratory infection?

Once infected, cats carry the infection for life and may experience recurring bouts of upper respiratory and eye disease. While these flare-ups are often relatively mild and clear up on their own, infections can, in rare cases, lead to more significant illness and even death in cats with coexisting health problems.

What happens if a cat has viral pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia may be exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections of the lungs, resulting in increased difficulty breathing. In rare cases, susceptible cats may develop inflammation or ulcers in the mouth. Even more rarely, the more severe systemic form of the disease occurs. This form is fatal in approximately two-thirds of affected cats.

Can fungal infections cause respiratory disease in cats?

A number of fungal species can cause respiratory disease in cats. The most common is Cryptococcus neoformans . Cats contract C. neoformans when they inhale fungal spores. The infection may remain within the nasal cavity or spread to other parts of the body, including the central nervous system and the lower respiratory tract.

Is it normal for a cat to have trouble breathing?

In rare cases, cats may have trouble breathing. Lower respiratory tract infections may cause coughing, lethargy, anorexia, and difficult or rapid breathing (which should not exceed 35 breaths per minute at rest). Young and adolescent cats are most susceptible to this common infection.

Is it bad for a cat to lose too much weight?

This is true. If cats lose too much weight too quickly they can develop fatty liver disease (called hepatic lipidosis). Fatty liver disease occurs when the body breaks down too much fat too quickly and the liver cannot process the fat fast enough.

Is your cat at risk of becoming fat?

Some cats are at higher risk of becoming overweight or obese, says the Cummings Center. Neutered male cats have the highest likelihood of becoming overweight. Indoor cats are at risk, as are cats who are less active for other reasons.