As devoted cat owners strive to ensure their feline friends are happy, many inadvertently contribute to a growing issue: feline obesity.
A new wave of research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sheds light on how overeating impacts not just weight but also the digestive health and gut microbiome of domestic cats.
Current State of Feline Obesity
Currently, around 60% of cats in the United States are overweight, facing a variety of related health challenges, including diabetes and chronic inflammation.
While numerous studies have explored weight loss strategies, the metabolic and gastrointestinal effects of overeating still lack sufficient attention.
This research aimed to uncover these changes linked to excessive food consumption in cats.
Study Design and Findings
The study involved 11 adult spayed female cats.
Initially, their health was monitored over two weeks while they ate a standard dry food diet.
Following this baseline period, the cats were given free access to food, allowing researchers to observe the effects of increased eating habits.
Blood and fecal samples were regularly collected, and the cats’ activity levels were closely monitored throughout.
Once unrestricted feeding began, the cats showed a significant rise in food intake, leading to noticeable weight gain.
Their body condition score (BCS) started at 5.41 on a 9-point scale and soared to 8.27 after 18 weeks of uncontrolled eating, reflecting a dramatic 30% increase in body mass that categorizes them as overweight.
Researchers closely examined various factors throughout the study, including the cats’ fecal output, gastrointestinal transit times, digestibility of nutrients, and changes in their gut microbiota.
Gastrointestinal and Microbiome Changes
Their findings revealed intriguing changes in gut function.
As food consumption rose and weight increased, the time it took for food to travel through the digestive system decreased, alongside a drop in nutrient digestibility.
Interestingly, when food intake dropped, the cats’ bodies adapted by becoming better at extracting nutrients.
Conversely, an increase in food led to faster passage through their digestive tracts, which resulted in less effective nutrient absorption.
Significant alterations in gut microbial populations were also documented.
Post weight gain, there was an increase in Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacteria that supports immunity, while levels of Collinsella, known for its role in fiber breakdown and pro-inflammatory ailments, dropped.
These shifts contrast with findings in similar studies on overweight humans, illustrating the complex relationship between body weight and gut bacteria.
Notably, the reduction in gastrointestinal transit time emerged as a crucial discovery in this research, potentially explaining the observed changes in the microbiome.
The authors suggested further studies focusing on transit time could provide deeper insights into the gut health of pets.
As the cats consumed more, their fecal output increased, and the fecal pH decreased, indicating a rise in stool acidity.
Lower fecal pH in humans often signals poor absorption of carbohydrates and fats, reflecting a similar conclusion in this feline study.
In tracking the cats’ physical activity, researchers used monitors attached to collars to observe their movements while they interacted with one another.
While some may assume that weight gain would lead to less activity, the study did not present consistent evidence of reduced movement.
The researchers noted that individual cat behaviors and their living environments could significantly influence activity levels.
The research provides valuable understanding of how obesity affects both metabolism and digestion in cats, which could inform future prevention and treatment strategies.
For owners worried about their cats’ weight, a variety of tactics can help manage it effectively.
Studies have shown that structured feeding schedules are beneficial for safe weight loss.
Encouraging physical activity through interactive play, such as hiding food or using puzzle feeders, can create an engaging atmosphere for cats.
After completing the weight gain study, the 11 participating cats were placed on a controlled diet that successfully restored them to a healthy weight, illustrating the practical outcomes of thoughtful weight management strategies.
Source: ScienceDaily