Though you may think nothing of your cat’s extra pound(s), more than half of the cats in the United States are overweight — an issue that has only gotten worse over the years. Obesity in cats can cause a variety of health-related problems and may even shorten the lifespan of your beloved cat. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to become informed on the issue and find a healthy way to get your cat’s weight back on track.

Cat Obesity by the Numbers

The number of cats tipping the scale at above-average weights has increased year over year, with 55 percent of cats classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian, according to a 2011 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Of the 88.4 million pets deemed too heavy by their vets, study results found that owners of these pets may have trouble recognizing the issue, with 15 percent of cat owners characterizing them as having a normal weight when she was actually obese, according to APOP.