Feral cats don't get fat - they simply can't consume more energy than they need to hunt and survive.
Meanwhile, this problem is pretty common among domestic cats, because their owners simply love them too much.
Let's find more about a new experiment that researched health issues of overweight pets.
Fat cat experiment
Cat owners often want their feline friends to be happy, but too much food and snacks can make cats overweight, causing health issues.
A study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looked at what happens in a cat's digestive system and gut when they eat too much.
Around 60% of cats in the U.S. are overweight, leading to problems like diabetes and inflammation.
The study focused on the metabolic and gastrointestinal changes from overeating.
Researchers let 11 cats eat as much as they wanted for 20 weeks.
The cats immediately ate more, gained weight, and became 30% overweight.
Why it's important to know
The study found changes in gut bacteria and digestive processes. Understanding these changes may help prevent and treat pet obesity.
For overweight cats, restricted feeding and promoting activity can be effective strategies for weight loss.
