From pathogenesis to prevention: an update on the management of obesity and its associated comorbidities in cats.

Abstract

Overweight and obesity represent the most common nutritional disorder in domestic cats and constitute a significant global health issue. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge on the determinants, diagnosis, pathophysiology, complications, and comprehensive management of feline obesity. Feline overweight and obesity have a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis, arising from an interplay of intrinsic factors (e.g., genetic predisposition, age, sex, neutering status) and extrinsic factors (e.g., environment, owner behavior). The condition is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation, endocrine dysregulation, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia, which collectively elevate the risk of numerous comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, urinary tract disorders, dermatopathies, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory diseases, ultimately compromising life expectancy. This means that early detection and examination of excess body weight are crucial to treatment and prevention; at the same time, weight loss should be centered around personalized nutritional intervention, combined with behavioral correction measures such as regular feeding schedules and increased physical exercise. Furthermore, maintaining good communication between clinicians and the pet owners, as well as continuous monitoring, is the key to achieving effective weight loss. Future research is needed to move beyond current reactive models and embrace a focus on metabolic health over weight, prediction over reaction, and pathogenesis over symptomatology, aiming for preemptive strategies that improve feline healthspan.