What Is the Cause of a Cat's Fat Belly?

Sometimes a cat with a fat belly is simply obese.

A fat belly on a cat can cause concern for owners. This pudgy feline trait can indicate a medical condition or may simply mean that your cat is overweight.

Obesity

The pudgy belly hanging down underneath a cat may simply be fat. Some cats, just like some humans, carry weight in their bellies even when the rest of their bodies seem trim. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, obesity is the No. 1 nutritional problem for cats and can cause significant health problems, such as feline diabetes, if allowed to continue.

Other Causes

In some cases, the cat isn't actually fat but instead has a medical condition causing a fat belly. The most common condition is pregnancy in a female cat. If she is pregnant, the belly will feel like it has lumps inside it instead of feeling like mere fat. If the belly has a hard lump, it could be a tumor.

Response

If you have concerns about whether your cat might have a medical condition causing its fat belly, take the cat to a vet right away. If the belly pooch is simply a product of obesity, try putting the cat on a diet to help reduce some of the weight, and encourage the cat to exercise by offering active playtime.

References

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Care of Obese Cats
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Feeding Your Cat
• Cats of Australia: How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant