Dr Bec's advice for 'fat cats'

Hello fellow cat person, 

I need to share a recent development in my household that's both funny, but also not so great. My own beautiful cat, Mao, has officially become too ‘round’ to squeeze under our back gate and escape. 

For years, this little Houdini would wait until someone was too slow in closing the door…dash out… and would flatten herself into a furry pancake, shimmying under that gate and out to freedom. The grass always seems greener to Mao. 

But now? Now she gets about halfway through, realises she's stuck, and has to awkwardly reverse back to freedom. She tries about 9 times and gives up. It’s so undignified, and pretty much the feline equivalent of realising you can't fit into your jeans anymore after the holidays.  

The silver lining? I can finally let her into the backyard to enjoy being a ‘wild cat’ without the risk of escaping and running onto the roads. 

But it’s embarrassing. I'm a cat vet. If this can happen on my watch, it's happening in homes everywhere. So, let's talk about it. No judgement, no fat-shaming and just honest conversation about why our cats may be overweight, and what we can actually do about it in the real world. 

Why Cats Get Chubby (And Why It's Trickier Than You Think) 

Here's the thing about cats…for so many reasons, they're not little dogs. Dogs will run, play fetch, go for walks, and burn off calories with endless enthusiasm. Cats? Well, with some exceptions, most cats’ idea of cardio is walking to their food bowl, eating, maybe complaining, then relocating to the sunny spot on the couch to sleep for up to 20 hours a day. 

We can’t realistically take our cats to the park, although some people do manage to harness train (and I’m in awe of this!) But it means that diet is absolutely critical for cats and we're looking at feline weight being due to around 90% diet, and around 10% of activity. Life’s so not fair. 

Genetics, Microbiomes, and Why Some Cats Struggle More 

Sometimes it's not entirely about what you're feeding. Certain cats, like Burmese, British Shorthairs, Persians, and Maine Coons, and anecdotally, ginger cats generally, are more prone to weight gain than, say, a svelte Siamese. It's like how some people can eat whatever they like and stay slender, whilst others look at a chocolate biscuit and gain weight. 

And here's where it gets interesting: your cat's gut microbiome, or the trillions of bacteria that live in their gut, influences their weight. The bugs living in your cat's digestive system affect how they extract energy from food and how they store fat. Some cats simply have a microbiome composition that makes them more prone to weight gain. There is also a genetic component, and of course, behaviour. Some cats prefer the ‘finer things in life’ – food, where others just pick at their food. 

We need to be both realistic and compassionate with ourselves when our cats struggle with weight despite our best efforts. 

The Risks of Carrying Extra Weight 

Overweight cats face genuinely serious health risks. Diabetes is one of the big ones - cats carrying excess weight are up to 4 times more likely to develop it, and Burmese cats in particular already have a genetic predisposition to diabetes. If you notice your cat drinking more water than usual, it’s critical to get them checked out at your vet. 

Skin infections are common in overweight cats because those chubby rolls create warm, moist environments where bacteria thrive, and many overweight cats can't groom themselves properly. Poor Mao has definitely needed extra help grooming because her belly gets in the way. 

Joint problems and arthritis can worsen with extra weight. Think of each additional kg of weight as being equivalent to a cats’ joints carrying around 1kg or 2kg bags of flour all day, every day. Their cartilage wears down faster and the stress on their joints is exacerbated, accelerating the natural degeneration that happens with age. This sets up a vicious cycle as arthritis is painful, leading to less exercise and more weight gain, which worsens arthritis. 

What Can We Actually Do About It? 

First things first - talk to your vet. Your vet can determine your cat's ideal weight, rule out underlying health issues, calculate appropriate calorie intake, and help you design a realistic weight loss plan. Weight loss in cats must be gradual as rapid weight loss, and inadequate food intake can cause hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) in cats, which can be life threatening. 

Make sure your cat’s weight is being measured on a Body Condition Score scale though – which measures their body fat in the context of their bone structure, breed, and how fat is distributed. An 8kg British shorthair may be perfectly proportioned, whereas that is likely be way too heavy for a smaller boned domestic longhair. The number on the scale gives us a starting point but is not an absolute measure in itself. 

Practical strategies that actually work: 

Measure your cat's food with proper measuring cups, not just eyeballing it. Those little kibble pieces add up faster than you'd think. If you’re feeding wet food, stick to the recommended number of sachets or grams.

Consider switching to a weight management diet formulated specifically for cats, as these provide all the nutrition your cat needs whilst being lower in calories.  

Reduce the treats- this is boring, I know. I have a lovely patient who was getting 60 Temptations a day. Reducing these has not been easy but it’s helped her lose weight, which is better for her in the long run. 

Increase enrichment and play. Interactive feeding toys, puzzle feeders, and scheduled play sessions (even if they're short) all help. Five minutes of play, 3 times a day, can make a genuine difference over time and has the bonus of improving your bond with your cat. It can also help make up for the sadness of reducing those much-loved treats!! 

The indoor cat advantage: Keeping your cat indoors can help with weight management. Outdoor cats are opportunists, they'll visit the neighbour's house for second or third breakfast, help themselves to other cats' bowls, catch and eat birds and mice, and generally eat beyond what you're providing. When we control their environment, we can control their calorie intake. Plus, indoor cats are safer from cars, other animals, and diseases. I know this is difficult in a lot of cases, so a compromise can be netting your backyard or installing a cat run. 

The Bottom Line 

Managing your cat's weight is important, and it's hard - much harder than managing a dog's weight. Sometimes your cat's genetics or microbiome might be working against you. That's why this is a team effort with your vet, being patient, staying consistent, and celebrating small victories. 

As for Mao? I’m working on it. She's on a carefully measured diet, I’m trying to increase her playtime (even if she considers it beneath her dignity), and I’m monitoring her progress. The gate might have temporarily gained the upper hand, but we're in this for the long haul, particularly because she has quite bad arthritis. 

With care and understanding, 

Dr Bec  

Cat Veterinarian, Melbourne & Proud Parent of Magnificent Mao 

P.S. If you're concerned about your cat's weight, please book that vet appointment for peace of mind.