Q: My vet recently warned me that my obese cat should go on a diet or she could face some diseases. What diseases can be associated with obesity in pets?
A: There are a number of diseases that may be linked to obesity. Some of these include:
- Insulin resistance (cells fail to respond to the normal actions of the hormone insulin, leading to type 2 diabetes)
- Diabetes mellitus, especially in cats
- Hyperlipidaemia (elevated levels of fat-soluble molecules in the blood)
- Osteoarthritis and orthopaedic disease
- Dermatitis (skin inflammation)
- Oral disease in cats
- Lower urinary tract disease
- Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) changes
- Renal pathology (medical diseases of the kidneys)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Neoplasia – mammary cancer, and bladder cancer associated with obesity in dogs
Lorren Barham, animal hydrotherapist at Pet Wellness Worx
