Last updated: May 3, 2023 crystal whis
If you’ve opened your Instagram account and mindlessly scrolled through the media buffet, you’ll no doubt see photos and videos of pudgy cats.
What does chonk mean? I mean stocky, cute, fat cat. As many pictures as you can see furry Butterballs showing off Tam Tams.
No hiding chokes. What are you doing? Like a loaf of bread baking around the strands in a hilarious way, it spills out to the side. Needless to say, the internet is full of pudgy cats. But as soon as we laugh, we have to question whether our love of fat cats encourages unhealthy pets (the answer is yes).
hoopa is not fat
To be clear, fupa is not chonk. Most of the time, you’ll see chuppah toddlers as your cat scurries down the hallway, runs up the cat tree, or falls to the floor. This is called the protobursa, and it’s the mass of fat, skin, and fur that’s most visible in mature cats and larger breeds.1
The pouch looks weird, but it protects your cat’s vital organs and increases flexibility. However, it is only noticeable on the lower abdomen.
Fat, on the other hand, accumulates throughout the body. So next time you see a cat chuppah toddler, you can pat yourself on the belly.
Obesity in cats has been around for a long time, but not now
Fat cats have been part of this world for a while. Occasionally, after finishing a snack in the house, you’ll find a chunky cat chasing the next meal.
Now, vice versa. Fat cats are everywhere and are celebrated on the internet as hilarious videos and memes.
We laugh when they plant their faces in guacamole and rip bread so badly out of grocery bags. We laugh when our cats struggle to reach and groom a part of their body properly. And when the cat shows me its chubby belly, it breaks something like a button.
How did cats get to this point? A better question is how did you manage to do this? Several factors are involved, but one thing is certain. It’s not the cat that’s the problem.
Cats no longer have to hunt
It’s made by a cat. They no longer need to hunt to survive. At least most cats don’t. Even outdoor cats can bet on the nice guy who keeps cat food on the porch.
food quality
Good, quality cat food comes with a price that many people cannot or will not pay. Inexpensive foods contain filler ingredients that wild domestic cats do not normally eat. Sure, these fillers help cats stay fuller longer. But they’re also gaining weight with the additional calories.
Exercise and portion control
Wild domestic cats roam for miles, chasing or hunting creatures for their next meal. It’s great exercise if the house cat is whimsically inaccessible.
On top of that, owners tend to overfeed their cats by either feeding them for free or not knowing how much to give. A determined and hungry cat will rush from one food bowl to another, eating the debris left by other pets.
internet fame
Admit it — you’ve thought about making an Instagram account for your cat. Most cat owners have considered it, and some have done it.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with showing off your cat’s unique traits and personalities. But at some point, we stopped caring about our pets and started following likes, comments, shares, and stories instead. We chose internet fame over cat lives.
withdraw from ill health
You know the expression “you vote with your dollars”? In this case, you vote with your subscription.
I admit my guilt for following fat animals online. However, I quickly unsubscribed from these accounts after spending time in the veterinary field. The number of cats entering the clinic with diabetes, cancer, joint problems, etc. was staggering.
We must stop glorifying animal obesity and start praising cat owners who care about the health and vitality of their pets. Cats should be praised for their agility, athleticism and beauty, not how much they resemble Jabba the Hutt in appearance.
We have a responsibility to keep our feline friends as healthy as possible. Indeed, cats come in all shapes and sizes. But a cat can still be cuddled without a fat roll.
Featured image credit: Dennis van de Water, Shutterstock
About the author
From cat mom to Ivy – a cheerful little rescue kitten who is her only child. At this point! Throughout her life, she has been touched by a special love that can be seen in her bond with her cat. Having had multiple cats, she is certain that their love is unmatched and unconditional and unlike any other. Crystal is passionate about educating the public about felines, their behavior and unique personalities, ensuring that all cats and their owners understand the importance of conscious living and affection. I am dedicated to making it understandable.