Although cats are active creatures that even lurk during the night, obesity is a common feature in their species – with over 40% of cats being in the obese category.
It is also extremely difficult to get rid of the fat once your cat has managed to gain it, so it is necessary that you always encourage physical activity.
MUST READ: Why Does My Cat Bite Me When I Cry? [And How You Can Stop It]
MUST READ: How To Warm Up Refrigerated Cat Food [And Is It Safe?]
Are you wondering why your cat is still fat, even though he does not seem to eat as much? The reasons may vary – from a common and deadly glandular problem that occurs in many animals to your cat just being plain moody and throwing a fit.
Read on to find everything you need about your cat’s odd eating habits.
Is It Harmful For My Fat Cat To Not Eat Much?
Yes, not eating enough, or not eating at all, can be very harmful to your feline friend. Your cat giving up food may not be a sign of low appetite, but it can also hint at other problems like stomach infections or other diseases. Cats that are obese and suddenly stop eating are the most at risk as they can quickly get hepatic lipidosis.
It is a fatty liver disease that can be fatal to animals if left as it is. This is why, even if your cat may be obese or on the heavier side, it should continue eating. Otherwise, the liver can get overwhelmed by trying to convert excess fat in your body to energy.
The liver is also an important part of the body, and can directly lead to a lot of diseases for your cat when dtysfunctioning.
Reasons Your Cat Eats Less But is Still Fat
Cats tend to gain weight easily, especially with the passage of time, which can cause a lot of diseases in them. Obese cats are at a risk of cancer, liver dysfunction, arthritis, diabetes, and many other diseases which can be fatal. It is important that you recognize the problem before you go ahead and diagnose it.
1. Different Body Types
Just like humans, cats too, have different body types which make them differ from each other slightly. This can depend on your cat’s breed, gender, or genes and has a lot of variations. Therefore, some cats may eat more, but do not gain weight at all, while others may eat very less, but not gain any extra pounds.
2. Food Type
The type of food you are feeding can also determine why your fat cat does not eat a lot. Wet food is usually easier to digest and does not contribute to weight gain as much as dry food does. Perhaps your cat eats more of the latter, though in small quantities.
Felines who also get a lot of treats or ‘human food’ also tend to be picky and can end up eating more of the fat-inducing food, even if less in number.
3. No Balance of Physical Activity And Meal Time
Your fat cat may also be maintaining its shape due to the bad balance of physical activity and meals that is set for it. This is a common mistake that cat owners often do – especially post-spaying surgery. If you notice that your cat has been less active lately, it is time to decrease the amount of food you give it.
The fall in activity can be due to anything, and it is also important to make sure that it is not something harmful. If your cat plays around or is an indoor-outdoor cat, you may want to fix proper meal times for him during the day. Maintaining a proper schedule is a good idea as cats too, really appreciate a good routine.
4. Disease
Your cat may also be fat while taking fewer amounts of food because it has developed a disease. Diseases like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism which affects the glands are common problems in mammals that directly mess with their metabolism and can cause lethargy and excessive weight gain.
Cats also have trouble eating when they are facing issues with respiratory or digestive issues. These can be identified by their other symptoms. Digestive issues will usually have cats vomiting or going through diarrhea or abdominal pain. Respiratory issue symptoms can be identified by discharge on the nose or temporary loss of smell.
5. Dislike For The Food
Lastly, your cat might not be eating very less of the food you have provided, simply for the fact that it does not like its meal, or is probably bored of it. Cats can be picky about the texture, smell, and even flavor of the given item and may refuse to eat it.
Weight loss is not very easy for cats, so the extra pounds remain while your cat eats less.
How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?
Cat feeding mainly depends on the age, breed, or size of the cat. Normally, an adult cat should be fed at least twice a day while kittens need to be fed at least 4 times. Only once a day is alright to practice as well, but your cat will end up asking for more – hence, the number.
How often your cat should be fed also depends on the feeding style you have. If you do not follow the meal feeding method, you can also go for free feeding or a combination of both where you divide the meals of the day into little portions that you feed in-between hours.
Final Thoughts
Obesity might be a common issue among cats, but it is no reason to ignore other factors that may possibly be affecting your cat. The reasons why your cat is still fat may vary and are not limited to the mentioned explanations. Hence, always make sure to develop a bond with your pet where you can understand these little changes.
We hope that this article has been useful in helping you understand your cat’s weight changes.
Related Questions
1. Is My Cat Fat Or Just Big?
Whether your cat is fat or just big in its body structure can be determined by feeling their bodies. If it is not possible to feel any bones under the layer of your cat’s fat, your cat is most likely overweight.
2. Should I Feed My Cat Wet Food Or Dry Food?
Most owners go by feeding their cats whatever type they like more. However, nutritionists recommend feeding both combined in order to gain the proper benefits of the meal. The economical solution, however, is to feed wet food when your cat is a baby and then dry food when they reach adulthood.