Big fat cats. The cat is fat. Physical activity of dogs and cats

Feeding pets is a real pleasure. By buying expensive food and various treats, owners strive to express their love and care for cats. Animals, in turn, gratefully eat everything that is provided to them, and this inevitably affects their weight.

Animals that resemble a swollen ball in shape do not always remain dexterous and flexible, but their clumsiness looks very funny and amusing. This forces people to once again look at photos and videos of such cats, which makes such pictures one of the most popular.

There are many fat cats in the world, but not all of them were able to win titles and titles. The owners of some made sure that their pets became famous throughout the world thanks to their excellent appetite and excess weight.

Australian fat man

The largest officially recorded weight of a cat was recorded in Australia. The owner of the record 21.3 kg was a well-fed cat named Snowball, who more closely resembles a huge white snowdrift. The fat animal, despite being overweight, showed miracles of longevity for the following parameters: Snowball lived for 10 years, after which he died due to respiratory arrest, which is not surprising. If an adult had the same degree of obesity, his weight would exceed 270 kg.

Otto

In second place is a cat living in America. The owner took his fat pet Otto to the veterinary clinic in order to euthanize the animal, since the cat had become so fat that he had difficulty moving around the house and could not go to the toilet on the tray, since his butt no longer fit there. Veterinarians persuaded the man not to euthanize his pet, but to try to gradually limit his food intake to stabilize his body weight. After six months of following a special diet, the fat man was able to lose significant weight, which made his life much easier, but pushed him out of the rankings.

Record holder Meow

Third place in the Guinness Book of Records was taken by a cat with the funny name Meow, who was the size of a medium-sized dog. He was only one and a half years old when his previous owner, who lived in Santa Fe, turned to a cat shelter to transfer a problem animal to specialists for permanent residence.

The fat pet reached a weight of 18 kg, which made caring for him more difficult, especially considering the woman’s advanced age (at that time she was 87 years old). Specialists began to adjust his diet and tried to return the animal to normal parameters. Meow has become the star of several shows and television programs dedicated to the rules of nutrition for pets. A strict diet helped him get rid of several kilograms and soon there were people who wanted to take home the popular cat, but the consequences of obesity made themselves felt: Meow died in a shelter at the age of two due to pulmonary failure.

Spongebob square….belly

The fourth position belongs to another American resident - a fat red cat named SpongeBob. The weight of this nine-year-old pet is 15.5 kg. Unlike previous heavyweights, a medical examination showed that all his health indicators were in impeccable condition. But in order to avoid possible problems in the future, experts recommended adjusting the diet and putting the fat cat on a diet, since extra pounds can cause pathologies in the joints, muscles, etc.

Elvis

Elvis the cat, who, alas, is not included in the Guinness Book of Records, since this category was banned in 2015 due to the risk to the lives of pets whose owners deliberately feed their animals. This fat man is German and lives in Germany. At the moment, Elvis has reached a weight of 17.5 kg, which exceeds all acceptable standards. Because of the extra pounds, he has a whole bunch of diseases - from diabetes to muscle tissue atrophy. He moves with great difficulty, has breathing and heart problems, so the owners intend to take his nutrition seriously and gradually achieve weight loss, which will extend the years of Elvis’s life. A special advisory group of four veterinarians has been created to monitor his health and rate of weight loss.

Despite the fact that fat cats look very funny and make us touch, many animal rights organizations warn that the task of a caring owner is to keep their pet's weight under control, because obesity can lead to many diseases and, as a result, , to an early death.

Fat cats from the Internet

The appearance of furry fatties on the Internet never goes unnoticed. People are ready to look at them every day, so their photos and videos are always in the top. Some get thousands and sometimes millions of views in a matter of days and become real celebrities. Often, when looking at such photos, you immediately want to go on a diet yourself. Sometimes fat cats try to get lost among the interior or blend in with the environment.

On the Internet you can find photographs of fat bellies getting stuck in various holes - this is the time to think about an emergency diet!

But still, most of them, at any weight, feel like the most beautiful and graceful creatures who have come into our lives for us to constantly admire them, regardless of whether they are fat or not.

In addition to photographs, owners of fat cats constantly strive to capture their pets on video, so we can enjoy watching fluffy fat cats having fun, funny asking for food or playing around like little children.

Ask any owner of a well-fed cat, is his animal fat? What will you hear in response? Some will begin to explain the barrel-shaped appearance of the pet by breed, constitution and other reasons that are “in the hand of God”, others will recognize the fact, but are unlikely to talk about it as a serious problem.

Meanwhile, veterinarians call obesity in cats and dogs an epidemic that already threatens almost half of the domestic pet population: according to recent studies, in different countries, from 22% to 40% of animals suffer from obesity. Being overweight is not a cosmetic flaw; the challenges of fat cats extend beyond getting stuck in the cat flap.

Difficulties and problems of fat cats

Numerous studies have shown that obesity can have detrimental effects on the health and longevity of dogs and cats. Here is just a small list of medical problems of fat cats, the connection of which with obesity has been scientifically proven:

orthopedic diseases;
diabetes mellitus;
lipid metabolism disorders;
heart disease;
respiratory diseases;
disorders of the urinary and reproductive systems;
breast cancer;
some types of transitional cell carcinoma;
dermatological diseases.

Additionally, fat cats and dogs are at greater risk during anesthesia. As for life expectancy, so far reliable studies have been conducted only among dogs and have shown a decrease in life expectancy with obesity by an average of 2 years.

Why is the cat fat?

Only a very small proportion of the causes of obesity are diseases (for example, hypothyroidism) or medications (for example, glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants) that cause increased appetite. Sometimes genetic defects lead to obesity, in particular, such defects have been recorded in the populations of certain dog breeds - Labrador Retriever, Cairn Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel and others, as well as in some cat breeds.

An important risk factor is sterilization of animals, after which the metabolic rate decreases. However, studies show that if the main energy expenditure is on muscle activity, then there is no difference between castrated and non-castrated animals - the metabolic rate will be the same.

A much larger role is played by changes in eating behavior after sterilization: the cat eats a lot, gets fat, and moves less.

Fat cat - owner stereotypes

However, the most important cause of obesity is humans. Why is the cat fat? You are overfeeding him. Interestingly, the reason for overfeeding is different for dog and cat owners. In dogs, as in humans, eating and sharing food plays an important social role.

The animal always tries to be present at the family meal and, even if it is trained not to beg for pieces, the owner always, simply at the genetic level, has a desire to treat the dog. Everyone should eat!

In addition, many people like to watch a dog eat: expressive facial expressions allow these animals to demonstrate obvious and great pleasure from the process. And this, in turn, pleases the owner. It is not for nothing that we are pleased to watch people and children with a good appetite eat.

In cats, food has no social function. But man is a social animal, so he unwittingly misinterprets the animal’s signals. The cat meows, asking for communication, and the person, especially if he is preparing or eating food at this time, thinks that she is asking for food. Well, how can you not give a piece! At the same time, the cat understands that seeking contact with a person leads to food reinforcement, and this makes it initiate it as often as possible.

As for diet, scientists have not found any connection between obesity and feeding homemade natural food (not food from your table!) or industrial diets. But there is an important “but”: the cheaper, lower quality both, the higher the risk of obesity.

A logical factor why a cat is fat is the owner’s excess weight: a person who overeats himself and is not used to thinking about the volume and calorie content of the food he absorbs does not bother with this issue in relation to his animal.

How to determine obesity in cats?

Before you panic that your cat has become fat, you need to decide what you mean by normal. There is no accurate, clinically proven method for determining obesity in relation to cats and dogs. In the most common study, overweight in an animal is defined as over 15% of optimal body weight, and obesity as over 30% of the same figure. However, what is optimal body weight?

The article we studied provides a mathematical and morphological method for determining excess body weight in cats. Using a centimeter, we measure the diameter of the chest (LLC) at the level of the ninth rib and the limb length index (LLI) - the distance between the kneecap and the heel bone of the hind limbs. During measurements, the animal must stand straight and with its head raised. Having recorded the data in centimeters, we make calculations using the following formula:

Fat mass (%) = (DHA:0.7067 – IDK:0.9156) – IDK.

It’s more difficult with dogs, since in many breeds the morphology is greatly changed by humans, so they have developed their own way of calculating excess body weight.

Fat cats: treatment

Nothing new has yet been invented in the treatment of obesity. For people, diet, exercise, psychotherapy, drug therapy and surgical methods are used. Not all of these methods are applicable to animals. Thus, there are still no special certified medications that promote weight loss in cats and dogs, and surgical methods are not used for ethical reasons. What remains?

Diet

This method should be selected individually, taking into account the age, scale of the problem, and health status of the animal. But the general principles are as follows. Although fasting leads to rapid weight loss, it is unacceptable because along with fat, muscle mass is also catastrophically lost. Therefore, for weight loss, diets low in fat and calories, but with sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins and microelements, are used.

The presence of a high level of protein in the diet is especially important for maintaining muscle mass, and the additional addition of vitamins and microelements allows you to compensate for the poor composition of the food.

Scientists recognize L-carnitine as an additional substance that promotes weight loss. We will not explain in detail the mechanism of action of this substance on the body, but the fact that it promotes weight loss has been clinically proven in experimental animals.

As for another common element - linoleic acid, the studies here are contradictory, which means it is impossible to say for sure that adding it to the diet promotes weight loss. The same goes for fiber. Coarse fibers are often used in “fullness” diets. However, some studies show a decrease in appetite when consuming foods with coarse fibers, while others do not.

Physical activity of dogs and cats

This is a prerequisite for successful weight loss in both dogs and cats. Dog owners, of course, have more choice. The easiest way is long walks. Just walks, not standing in the yard. Keep in mind that even if you walk, an obese animal will most likely just barely move its legs after you, trying to sit down or even lie down.

Therefore, you need to take the dog on a leash and walk with it at a brisk pace, forcing it to adapt to your pace. Don't set records - increase the distance and pace gradually. You can buy a treadmill for dogs - some people really like this exercise machine. Swimming is also a great way to lose weight.

Cat owners are advised to play with their pet using toys - try to find ones that will interest the animal.

It is very important for success in your struggle for the health of your pet not only to strictly follow the diet prescribed by the veterinarian, but also to monitor the animal’s nutrition after the result is achieved. Weight, as you know, comes back, and each time it becomes more and more difficult to lose it.

Larisa Solodovnikova

How often does a fat cat seem funny to us, and its clumsiness and clumsy movements make us smile! And we sometimes don’t see anything wrong if our pet is slightly well-fed, and even if not slightly. After all, he is so cute! He just loves to eat. And it’s hard to resist pampering him with delicious food!

Alas, excessive appetite and excess weight are not signs of health at all. Quite the contrary. Therefore, you should not be touched by the plumpness of your four-legged pet.

Why is obesity dangerous?

Obesity– is a disease in itself, and moreover, it is a serious prerequisite for the development of many diseases. Excess weight contributes to diabetes, urolithiasis, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), various diseases of the endocrine system, liver, heart, as well as joint diseases and skin problems. The animal often becomes inactive, gets tired quickly, and shortness of breath appears when playing or active movements. Agree, this is no longer amusing!

What is obesity?

Obesity (lat. adipositas - obesity and lat. obesitas - completeness, corpulence, fattening) - fat deposition, increase in body weight due to adipose tissue. An animal is considered overweight when its weight is 15% higher than normal. The norm for each cat is individual, depending on the breed, gender, size and other factors. The weight of champion cats from the Guinness Book of Records is 20-23 kg (look).

In cats, unlike humans, the skin is more loosely attached and therefore very mobile. Because of this, obese cats do not have thick folds, and excess fat usually forms on the ribs and under the belly.

If obesity during the cat's growth period is associated with increase in the number of fat cells, then for a later period of life it is typical increasing their size.

Causes of excess weight in cats and kittens:

How can you determine how much your pet’s weight differs from the ideal? You can calculate your desired weight using the table below.

Who's to blame?

A cat living in nature does not suffer from obesity. At home, this disease is very common - about 40% of cats are overweight. The main cause of obesity in cats is poor lifestyle. And, as a rule, their owners are to blame for this!

The most common mistake made by cat owners is both improper feeding and overfeeding their pets. Cats cannot eat most of what we eat: fried, salty, pickled, sweet, baked, spiced. At home, it is difficult to prepare food that would satisfy all the needs of the cat’s body and contain all the necessary nutrients, trace elements, minerals and vitamins in the right quantities and in the right proportions.

It is much wiser to use good industrial cat food, specially designed taking into account their needs and characteristics, and feed them according to the specified daily intake.

Another drawback of owners is insufficient physical activity for their pets. A sedentary lifestyle causes them to become overweight.

So, we’ve sorted out the question of who is to blame, now let’s look at the question

What to do?

Fortunately, obesity in cats is easier to treat than in humans. How? The recipe is simple - reduce the caloric content of food and increase physical activity.

To keep your cat healthy, you need to follow a proper diet, use balanced food and monitor its volume. Simply put, feed your cat correctly! - about this

Manufacturers of ready-made food produce special diets for sterilized cats and cats, as well as for overweight animals. These are foods with reduced fat content, which reduces their calorie content, and the fiber used in them prolongs the state of satiety.

All that is required to prevent obesity is not to follow the lead of animals begging for food, but to feed them strictly the amount required for normal physical fitness!

And to keep your pet in this normal shape, you should give him at least 15-20 minutes a day, forcing him to move actively with the help of his favorite toy or providing him with special sports complexes - more about this

Exercise burns calories, develops muscles, improves respiratory and digestive function, strengthens the heart muscle and leads to a reduction in the amount of food consumed.

(!) In addition, constant joint games strengthen the emotional connection between man and animal. Be friends with your pet!

If you are significantly obese, it is better to consult a veterinarian. Only a specialist will be able to correctly determine the cause of its occurrence, give recommendations for treatment and create the optimal diet for the four-legged patient. By ridding your pet of excess weight, you will protect his health.

The most popular pets, of course, are cats. Many people consider their pets to be friends and companions who are always nearby. When a kitten appears in the house, few people remain indifferent to the little fluffy ball. Over time, the kittens grow up, and after a few years a fat cat is already imposingly walking around the house, as in the photo and video in our article.

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The fattest cats

In the animal world, as well as in humans, there are some overweight individuals. But not all of our younger brothers are worried about this and certainly don’t have a complex. The fattest cats in the world love to sleep and bask in their favorite warm places. At the same time, they simply love to show off on camera, making both themselves and their owners popular, who dote on them, feed them generously and literally carry them in their arms. That is why cats and cats are sometimes amazing with their size and body weight.

1st place – Tulle

Perhaps the leader among fluffy domestic fat cats can be safely called a cat named Tulle, who lives in Denmark. He is only 6 years old, but over the years the little red furry has gained weight of 19.5 kg. His owners say that the fattest cat in the world is not able to look after himself. He is also not interested in cat courtship, and he has never caught mice, because he simply is not able to do it.

Most of all, Tulle loves to doze near the TV, and when he sleeps peacefully, he can be mistaken for a large fluffy ottoman or pillow. Surprisingly, the cat is absolutely healthy, except for obesity, and he owes his large weight to his owners. They pamper him and do not refuse his constant desire to eat something tasty.

2nd place - Garfield

Next after Tulle, the handsome Garfield can rightfully be called a fat man. The cat is very similar to the movie hero, but he probably weighs more, since his weight is 18 kg. Like the hero of the film of the same name, Garfield is a lover of delicious food, good sleep and lying on the couch. It was this way of life that led to the fact that the fat cat entered the first ranks of fluffy fat people.

3rd place – Xiong Yuzhong

Another fat cat named Xiong Yuzhong lives in one of the provinces of China. Its weight is about 17 kilograms. The owners love their fluffy fatty very much and this glutton’s diet always includes fresh meat, the amount of which is never less than 1 kg per day. He is not interested in birds, cats, or walking on rooftops. His favorite pastime is to lie on the couch and watch everyone fuss around him.

4th place – Otto

Otto the cat, who weighs 16 kilograms and lives in New Jersey, suffered from arthritis and veterinarians had to treat him by cutting his diet. So, after several months of treatment and a special diet, Otto lost about 3 kilograms and feels great. He has a beautiful color - black and white.

5th place – SpongeBob

Not so well-fed, but also a popular fat guy, lives in New York in an animal shelter. His name is SpongeBob and this “baby” weighs 15.5 kg. The cat lives in the largest enclosure of the shelter, where he can always move around, which he does without much desire. But he is guaranteed a good mood when it’s time to eat, although the shelter employees take care of his health and the fat man follows a diet. An interesting video about the largest pet can be seen below.

What about kittens?

When a kitten, red, black or white, appears in the house, everyone is happy about it. His owners are ready to give him attention and care from the very first days. They pamper him with treats, as a result of which the kitten turns into a real glutton and gradually gains weight. Such cute and funny fluffies, plump and calm, loved by their owners, certainly cheer up and give a lot of positive emotions.

However, you should not chase the leaders of the presented rating. It is enough just to create adequate conditions for the animal to live and develop, to give it your love and care. Even without excess weight, male cats will undoubtedly be happy.