Cat Obesity Dangers: Health Risks & Prevention Tips
1. Excessive Burden on Joints and Ligaments
Carrying excess weight can place a heavy burden on a cat's legs, joints, and ligaments, increasing the likelihood of joint dislocation and arthritis, particularly in overweight felines compared to those of a standard size. Moreover, the added strain on the back and waist can be significant, leading to severe discomfort for the cat if these conditions arise.
2. Strain on the Heart and Respiratory System
Overweight cats are at a higher risk of developing hypertension and placing additional stress on their hearts. Since the heart is responsible for circulating blood throughout the body, an overweight cat's heart must work harder to pump blood to a larger area, which can be detrimental to its health. Cats with weakened hearts or a history of heart disease should be particularly monitored for weight. Additionally, excessive fat around the neck can potentially compress the trachea, affecting the cat's normal breathing.
3. Diabetes
Cats derive some of their energy from glucose, which is not directly absorbed by body cells. Instead, cells require insulin to facilitate the transport of glucose into the cell through glucose carriers on the cell membrane. This process controls the entry of glucose into muscle and fat tissues. When a cat is overweight, insulin's effectiveness may be compromised, leading to poor glucose absorption. If insulin is not functioning properly, cells cannot absorb energy effectively, causing blood glucose levels to rise and potentially leading to diabetes.
4. Fatty Liver
When cats are fasting for short periods, their bodies may experience energy shortages, prompting the liver to absorb fat from the body to provide energy. However, in overweight cats, liver cells can accumulate unnecessary excess fat, disrupting the liver's normal function. Although there is no specific cause for fatty liver disease, statistics show that overweight cats are more prone to developing it, which can affect the body's normal functions.
