Feline obesity and diabetes: a One Health perspective.

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of obesity and diabetes mellitus in cats that parallels the 'epidemic' of obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. Likewise, understanding of the pathophysiology and management of feline obesity and diabetes has developed alongside and draws from human medicine. As in human medicine, overweight and obesity are associated with the development with diabetes; however, there are other genetic and environmental influences that contribute to this risk, some of which are shared. In cats, the body condition score appears to be a good diagnostic tool. It is reliable in the hands of owners and is likely to reflect visceral adiposity. However, the diagnostic label of feline obesity should be considered against the rate of success of any intervention, owner perspectives and impact on cat quality of life, as well as risk of future disease. The classification of human diabetes is evolving towards one that is more closely linked to disease outcome and therefore management. Consideration could be given to classifying the diabetes of hypersomatotropism and that associated with exogenous glucocorticoid administration in cats, separately in veterinary medicine. Rather regarding feline obesity and diabetes as models of human disease, a closer interdisciplinary 'One Health' approach between veterinary and human medicine is warranted to advance research and clinical care in this field.

How and why pet cats are fed the way they are: a self-reported owner survey

“…4,7 At the same time, the increasing prevalence of feline obesity, and the diseases linked to it, such as diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis, remain urgent global concerns for the health and welfare of pet cats. 8,9 Domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) are obligate carnivores and have unusually high nutritional protein requirements, though this changes through the different life stages of the cat. 10 In the last decade, the number of people in resource-rich countries choosing to eat more plant-based dietary components has markedly increased; the perceived and proven health benefits along with ethical and moral viewpoints are some of the most commonly cited reasons for the long-term adherence to these lifestyles reported by self-identifying study participants.…”

“… 4 , 7 At the same time, the increasing prevalence of feline obesity, and the diseases linked to it, such as diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis, remain urgent global concerns for the health and welfare of pet cats. 8 , 9 …”