University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Discovers Health Risks Associated with Obesity in Cats
A study conducted by Professor Kelly Swanson and his research team at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has shed light on the concerning issue of obesity in cats. With approximately 60% of cats in the United States being overweight, this research sought to investigate the metabolic changes that occur when cats gain weight.
The study, published in the prestigious academic journal ‘Journal of Animal Science’, revealed that obese cats experience reduced food digestion efficiency and significant alterations in their gut micro-organisms compared to non-obese cats. These findings raise concerns about the overall health implications of obesity in felines.
Over a span of two weeks, 11 fully-grown female cats were allowed to freely indulge in their food intake. As expected, cats that overate began to gain weight, with the average body condition score (BCS) increasing by approximately 30% from 5.41 to 8.27. The BCS score is comparable to the human body mass index (BMI), with scores above 6 indicating overweight status.
Subsequent analysis conducted over a 20-week period on the cats that gained weight revealed important insights. Cats that gained weight demonstrated a shorter time for food to pass through their stomachs, resulting in decreased nutrient absorption. This decline in nutrient absorption is correlated with a decrease in overall digestion efficiency. The research team also observed a shift in the composition of the cats’ gut microbiota, with an increase in bifidobacteria levels, known for their immune system suppression properties, and a decrease in Collinsella bacteria, which is associated with inflammatory diseases.
Surprisingly, the amount of exercise undertaken by the overweight cats did not decrease significantly. The research team noted that activity levels in obese cats can vary depending on their interactions with their owners. This suggests that factors beyond simple physical activity contribute to feline obesity.
Understanding the physical changes that occur due to obesity in cats can aid in the development of effective cat health management plans. The 11 cats involved in the study were put on a restricted diet to facilitate their return to a healthy weight.
These findings highlight the need for cat owners to be mindful of their pets’ nutrition and weight. Obesity in cats can lead to serious health issues, including diabetes and chronic inflammation. By staying informed about the risks associated with feline obesity, owners can take proactive steps to ensure the wellbeing of their beloved furry companions.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
A fat cat. Provided by Getty Image Bank
Owners who breed cats sometimes give them large amounts of food and treats. Be concerned that your cat is hungry and always give it plenty of food. Due to the actions of these owners, cats gain a lot of weight. In fact, it is not difficult to find fat cats around you. Owners who look at chubby cats suddenly worry if there will be problems with their cat’s health.
Research results have shown that obese cats have reduced food digestion efficiency and changes in the composition of their gut micro-organisms compared to non-obese cats. When the efficiency of digestion decreases, the efficiency of nutrient absorption decreases. In the case of changes in gut micro-organisms, it seems that further research is needed to determine how they affect the health of cats.
According to the scientific community on the 3rd, Professor Kelly Swanson’s research team at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign published research results containing this information in the international academic journal ‘Journal of Animal Science’ on the 1st.
Professor Swanson, who led the study, said, “About 60% of cats in the United States are overweight, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and chronic inflammation.” He explained, “In this study, we aimed to determine how weight gain in cats affects actual metabolic changes.”
The research team carried out an experiment on 11 full-grown female cats. Cats of standard weight were allowed to eat as much food as they wanted for two weeks. Cats that began to overeat began to gain weight as their food intake increased.
After two weeks, the average body condition score (BCS) of cats increased by around 30% from 5.41 points to 8.27. The BCS score corresponds to the human body mass index (BMI). 9 is the highest score, and scores above 6 are considered overweight.
The research team analyzed the cats’ digestive efficiency, nutrient absorption, time for food to pass through the stomach, and stool production over 20 weeks after the cats gained weight.
As a result, it was found that cats that gained weight took less time for food to pass through their stomachs. As the time it passes through the stomach becomes shorter, the amount of nutrients absorbed decreases. The analysis is that the overall digestion efficiency has decreased.
The composition of the gut microbiota changed. It increased the abundance of bifidobacteria, which fight bacteria and prevent pathogens by suppressing the immune system. On the other hand, Collinsella bacteria, which inhibits fiber production and is associated with inflammatory diseases, decreased.
“These changes in the composition of the gut microbiota are opposite to those found in overweight people,” said the research team, “suggesting that the mechanisms by which weight gain affects humans and animals are complex right.”
Stool volume increased in cats that gained weight. At the same time, the pH (hydrogen ion concentration) of stool decreased. This means that the stool has become more acidic. In humans, if the pH of the stool is low, carbohydrates and fat are not absorbed well.
The amount of exercise did not decrease. Initially, the research team predicted that overweight cats might have reduced physical activity, but monitoring results showed that there was no significant difference in activity compared to cats of normal weight. The research team said, “It has been shown that activity levels of obese cats can vary depending on their interactions with their owners.”
The research team said that understanding the physical changes that occur due to obesity in cats can help in establishing a cat health management plan. The 11 cats that completed the experiment were put on a restricted diet for a period of time to return to normal weight.
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