When she saw her black and white cat meowing incessantly, Margherita feared the worst. Her first thought was a urinary infection or serious health problem. She booked a vet appointment, ready to do anything to help her four-legged companion.
After the examination, the verdict was quite different. The vet discovered the cat was crying... simply because he couldn't scratch himself properly. The problem? He was overweight. This revelation sparked plenty of laughter on TikTok, where Margherita's video has exceeded 1.1 million views.
Cats and weight problems
Being overweight is a common problem in our feline friends. In the UK, studies suggest that nearly 40% of cats are overweight or obese, which can lead to metabolic, cardiac and joint disorders. In a cat considered "fat", it becomes difficult to feel the bones even when gently palpating, and obesity can completely prevent detecting the spine or hip bones.
Margherita has since adjusted her cat's diet and set up veterinary monitoring to help him reach his ideal weight. The story illustrates with humour but also education that meowing or unusual behaviours can have simple causes and that staying attentive to your pet's health is essential.
