Why puzzle-feeding cannot eliminate obesity or food obsession.
Obesity has become a major problem in our pet community. Studies are published that explore the root causes of cat obesity, and new drugs are gaining attention.
A large percentage of today’s cats are overweight. Let’s start by defining what overweight or obese means. Too much weight, or obesity, is typically defined by an animal's body condition score (BCS), not by weight.
If a cat is overweight, typically with a body condition score (BCS) of 6-7, you may simply start by cutting back on food or treats. If your cat is BCS 8 or 9, the cat is considered obese, and it may be time to seek professional help.
Despite the high prevalence of cat obesity, I see very few BCS scores mentioned in veterinary reports. My findings are confirmed by the National Pet Obesity Association. Only 19% of cat owners recall their veterinarian providing a BCS.
Unlike the weight of cats, which I find in every report I see.
BCS and weight are related but not correlated. A 15 lb. cat is not overweight if the cat has a BCS of 5, whilst another 15 lb. cat may be severely overweight with a BCS of 8-9 and considered obese.
Body condition score may relate to weight, but doesn't correlate with it.
Dogs are the species on the mother planet with the widest distribution in terms of size and weight. If you own a 2-lb toy breed or a large 110-lb Bernese Mountain Dog, both their DNA says “dog”.
No other species on Earth comes close to this wide range in terms of size and weight. Therefore, it is difficult to announce a perfect average weight for every individual dog or breed. Age, lifestyle, and other factors all contribute to a dog's daily energy needs. Feeding guidelines on every pet food product are just guidelines that need fine-tuning.
How to determine a BCS for your cat?
Veterinarians and animal nutritionists use a method called Body Score (BCS). There are 5 or 9 score tables available. My preference is the 9-score method as it is a bit more refined.
Look at your animal from the top. When you have a long-haired cat or fluffy fido, it is VERY important to palpate the chest and ribs of your animal. Then, determine the current BCS to the best of your knowledge.
Once you have determined your cat’s BCS, it is easy to determine whether your animal needs more or fewer calories. How much shows the next table.
If the cat falls within the BCS range of 1-3, it is underweight, and its daily caloric intake needs to be increased.
If your cat falls into the 4-5 range, you are doing a great job of keeping your pet healthy.
If you have determined that your cat is at BCS 6 or above, you may want to review the calories you are feeding them. Don’t forget the treats and supplements that contribute to daily intake.
Cutting back the caloric intake by feeding less of the same food may not always be a good option. You are not just cutting back calories; you are also cutting essential vitamins and minerals.
Links to the multiple tools available on the WSAVA website:
https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WSAVA_BCSCat_BCSCat_Nutrition_250612.pdf
https://catvets.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FelineVMAHowtoFeedCat_Web.pdf
The wide range of dog weights does not apply to our felines.
There are some large-breed cats, such as Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Norwegian Forest cats. Most of the cats we share our homes with are domestic short- or long-haired cats (DSH/DLH) that fall into the medium category of the WSAVA cat nutrition guidelines, which lists a range of 2.2 to 15.4 lbs. This range is already stretched, as it is for “healthy adult cats,” and I rarely see an adult cat that weighs only 2.2 lb. or is at 15.4 lb..
Most DSH or DLH adult cats probably weigh between 6.6 lb. and 12.1 lbs. If your cat is much lighter or heavier, your vet has probably discussed this with you. Remember, this guideline is for adult cats only, not kittens.
Obesity is a risk factor that decreases the lifespan of your cat:
Obesity is a dangerous condition and the leading risk factor for other serious diseases, including diabetes, hormonal issues, heart disease, urinary tract infections, and orthopedic disorders.
All these diseases may shorten your beloved animal's lifespan and lead to expensive vet bills.
Fundamentally, an overweight cat consumes more calories per day than are needed to maintain its current weight. The amount of food needs to be properly calculated and reduced.
Food obsession cannot be solved with slow feeders and food puzzles alone
Purchasing a slow feeder or food puzzle without reducing the food will not be a successful tactic. And whilst more enrichment is always recommended, many cats quickly get frustrated with food puzzles. To find out how many calories your cat needs per day, look at the feeding guidelines of the dry or wet food you are feeding and compare them to the WSAVA guidelines after you checked the BCS of your cat.
Food obsession is often less about hunger and more about a metabolic dysfunction or environmental scarcity. In a multi-cat household, "resource competition" can turn a normal eater into a “food-obsessed” cat. At the core, puzzle feeders don't address the psychological need for security or balance a metabolic dysfunction; they only slow down the rate of eating.
Why puzzle feeders are good but shouldn't be the only strategy for obese or food-obsessed cats.
They are excellent for enrichment, but do not overcome the fundamental drivers of obesity:
- Too much daily food intake.
- Once a cat is obese, the hormones that regulate food intake, leptin (satiety) and ghrelin (hunger), become dysregulated.
- A food puzzle can increase frustration and food-begging behavior because the puzzle becomes an obstacle rather than an enrichment tool.
Why are feeding guidelines confusing?
Unfortunately, many pet food products have very confusing feeding guidelines on the packaging. They mix up ounces and grams, or they provide only a feeding calculator on their website without including any information on the packaging.
Or the feeding guideline says you should feed 7/8 of a cup to your cat every day, which is almost impossible to measure.
If you need more help determining whether your cat is overweight or how to succeed with a weight management plan, contact The Feline Consultant. The Feline Consultant can provide professional guidance and work with you to help you better understand your cat's needs.
References:
Araujo, S. L., Martins, P. L., Pereira, T. H. S., Silva, I. N. G., Morais, G. B., & Evangelista, J. S. A. M. (2025). Clinical-laboratory evaluation of overweight and obese cats seen in routine clinical practice. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 45, e07448. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-7448
Laflamme, D. P. (2012). COMPANION ANIMALS SYMPOSIUM: Obesity in dogs and cats: What is wrong with being fat?1. Journal of Animal Science, 90(5), 1653–1662. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4571
Pathak, A., Asediya, V., Anjaria, P., & Singh, S. P. (2024). Nutritional and metabolic diseases of dogs and cats. In Introduction to Diseases, Diagnosis, and Management of Dogs and Cats (pp. 429–457). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-18548-9.00029-9
Ramos, D., Reche-Junior, A., Fragoso, P. L., Palme, R., Yanasse, N. K., Gouvêa, V. R., Beck, A., & Mills, D. S. (2013). Are cats (Felis catus) from multi-cat households more stressed? Evidence from assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis. Physiology & Behavior, 122, 72–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.08.028