Your once-sleek feline has transformed into a furry ottoman. Don't panic—you're not alone. Over half of domestic cats today waddle rather than prowl, and there are perfectly logical explanations for this widespread chonkiness.
Modern cats have essentially won the evolutionary lottery. Unlike their wild ancestors who burned calories chasing mice through forests, today's pampered pets enjoy room service delivered directly to their food bowls. They've traded hunting for napping, with many indoor cats living sedentary lifestyles that would make couch potatoes jealous.
The culprit isn't just laziness—it's mathematics. Just ten extra kibbles daily can pack on a pound yearly. For cats, that's equivalent to humans gaining ten pounds annually from a single daily cookie. Add neutering, which slows metabolism by twenty percent, and you've created the perfect recipe for pudginess.
Ironically, cats have become victims of their own success. They've convinced humans to provide unlimited food without requiring any work in return. It's the ultimate freeloading arrangement—no wonder they look so smug.