Feline weight issues: Big and Small

Cats come with many caveats and according to Liz Bales, VMD, a feline's weight is an "important indicator of their overall health"—whether it involves losing, or gaining pounds. To increase public awareness surrounding cat weight complications, Basepaws and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) teamed up with Bales to urge cat owners to bring their felines to the veterinarian more frequently.

"Unintentional weight loss is a sign that something isn't right and even a pound or 2 can be a big change," warned Bales. "Being overweight can be hard to tell, and excess weight makes [a] cat more likely to be sick and in pain with joint disease, urinary disease, diabetes, skin disease, and more."

She explained that because a feline's fluff can make it challenging for pet parents to detect fluctuations in weight, the veterinarian needs to step in and help manage the cat's weight changes—both big or small—by keeping extensive records and advising the owner to come in for regular visits.

Watch the full video below for more of Bales' insight on cat weight issues and the benefits of routine veterinary visits.