Hi guys,

How fat a cat could possibly become? I mean is so dagerous for their health like it is in humans? Do they suffer from heart attack, stroke, etc?
Is there any special diets for cats and could the understand that we do this all for their best living, or they simply start hating us because of the lack of food?
Thanks!

Well, thanks god, she's not so fat as on the images from the link, they aren't even cute looking this way. Yes, she need to lose weight mey be a little bit.

Obesity is a serious problem in cats which can lead to premature death. Sadly it is the most common nutritional disorder seen in cats. Approximately 40% of cats in the USA are obese.

A cat is considered to be obese if it's weight is around 20% over the ideal weight.

What are the causes of obesity in cats?
The most common problem is over feeding. If the calories consumed exceed calories burned then the cat will put on weight.

Dry food diets are extremely popular these days & can lead to obesity. The problem lies in the fact that the cat by nature requires a high protein diet & most dry foods are high in carbohydrates. Cats synthesize protein & fat to use as energy, carbohydrates are converted to fat.

Ageing - As the cat moves into it's senior years it's metabolic rate slows down, joints may become more painful & the senior cat will be less active. A slowed down metabolic rate & decrease in activity can both lead to obesity in cats.

What problems does obesity cause in cats?
Diabetes Mellitus
Arthritis
Hepatic Lipidosis
Shortness of breath, especially after exercise
Skin problems
Greater risk during anaesthesia & surgery
Heart disease

How can I tell if my cat is obese?
It is always best to ask your veterinarian if he/she believes your cat is obese. Cats come in all shapes & sizes & therefore it is difficult to determine a standard weight which covers all cats & their differences. For example, a Singapura would be expected to weigh less than a Maine Coon.

However, a rough indicator is to feel along the side of the cat. You should be able to feel the individual ribs.

Stand over the cat, you should be able to see a waist, and have an hourglass figure.

There is a noticeable bulge on either side of the tail head

What will my vet do?
Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your cat. He/she will also want to run blood tests to rule out a medical cause of obesity such as an under active thyroid (hypothyroid).

Treatment of obesity in cats:
Weight loss is something which requires close veterinary supervision. If it is done too quickly it can lead to hepatic lipidosis, which is life threatening. Therefore NEVER attempt a weight reduction diet on your own.
Increase exercise: There are plenty of interactive toys on the market which will encourage your cat to exercise.
Decrease caloric intake: There are prescription diets on the market specifically for cats, your veterinarian will be able to recommend the right diet for your cat. As stated above, it is now well known that many dry foods contain excessive quantities of carbohydrates which can lead to obesity. So switching to either canned or raw food should be discussed with your veterinarian. Weight loss needs to occur gradually to avoid hepatic lipidosis.
No treats: It's easy to slip the odd treat to your cat, but this needs to be stopped completely.
Feed 4-6 small meals per day instead of filling the bowl & leaving it down for your cat to graze on.
If the cause is medical & not diet related, treating the condition should hopefully resolve the obesity.

Pinched completely from here: http://www.cat-world.com.au/obesity-in-cats (because I'm too tired to put it in my own words)

The problem has been created by the pet food industry, your cats diet should consist mainly of protein & fats with very low carbs. Commercial cat foods can be very high in carbs along with a whole host of ingredients not part of a felines natural diet.

I've been feeding our cats a raw diet since day one and they eat as much as they like, both are very lean. When a cat eats a high Protein/Fat diet they will stop eating when they feel full, the problem with carbs is that it doesn't trigger the full feeling in your cat so it just keeps eating.

Now if only i could apply the same principle to my own diet

Of course vets would disagree (well most of them) they have a commercial interest in Pet food Manufacturers from vet colleges being funded by them, selling expensive special diet foods and ultimately treating the issues caused by the food.