Does an overweight pet have an increased risk of illness? Other than the cost of the extra food, what other expenses can occur as a result of pets being heavy? Why should we care about our pets becoming overweight? Is there any harm in giving a few extra treats, especially if they're small?
We know that there are many short and long term negative effects for humans who carry extra weight. Unsurprisingly, health problems related to increased body fat and obesity in pets are similar. Increased risk for diabetes, arthritis, cancer, liver and gall bladder disorders, fatty liver disease in cats, metabolic syndrome, Cushing’s disease and heart disease are some of the more likely consequences for pets which suffer from obesity, and a shortened life expectancy as a result of these health conditions is also increasingly likely. The cost of treating those conditions, even only for the last few years of a pet’s life, can result in bills that reach into 5 figures, or tens of thousands for a hard-to-manage diabetic.
It's estimated that 55-60% of pets in our country are overweight or obese. These numbers are rising along with the growing obesity problem in our human population. Contributors to these rising numbers include more processed foods available for pets and people, a lack of understanding about the changes in food production which lead to slower metabolism and more food cravings, and more sedentary lifestyles.
A high percentage of pet owners visiting my practice express surprise when informed that their pets are overweight. They consider that carrying an extra pound or two is normal, but for a 10 pound pet that gains 2 pounds in winter, that is a 20% weight gain and is approaching obesity.
Because many pet owners don't know how to evaluate ideal weight, and have a hard time figuring out how much to feed, it is important to schedule regular exams for your pet. Your veterinarian should weigh your pet and provide a Body Condition Score. This number, based on a scale of 1-5 or 1-9, is an indicator of fat compared to muscle mass. I personally prefer the 1-9 scale, with a number of 4 or 5 being healthy for most pets. Lower BCS numbers indicate emaciation, while higher numbers are associated with overweight and obese conditions.
Once your veterinarian assigns a BCS and weighs your pet, she can speak with you about goals, diagnostic tests to determine if a medical condition is causing weight gain, a plan and time frame for weight loss, and the diet/exercise plan to achieve an ideal weight.
The advantage of working with a vet with a strong background in nutrition is that they will be able to educate you about foods, how to determine the number of calories your pet needs, and the types of foods and treats which promote healthy weight loss.
It's estimated that 55-60% of pets in our country are overweight or obese. These numbers are rising along with the growing obesity problem in our human population. Contributors to these rising numbers include more processed foods available for pets and people, a lack of understanding about the changes in food production which lead to slower metabolism and more food cravings, and more sedentary lifestyles.
A high percentage of pet owners visiting my practice express surprise when informed that their pets are overweight. They consider that carrying an extra pound or two is normal, but for a 10 pound pet that gains 2 pounds in winter, that is a 20% weight gain and is approaching obesity.
Because many pet owners don't know how to evaluate ideal weight, and have a hard time figuring out how much to feed, it is important to schedule regular exams for your pet. Your veterinarian should weigh your pet and provide a Body Condition Score. This number, based on a scale of 1-5 or 1-9, is an indicator of fat compared to muscle mass. I personally prefer the 1-9 scale, with a number of 4 or 5 being healthy for most pets. Lower BCS numbers indicate emaciation, while higher numbers are associated with overweight and obese conditions.
Once your veterinarian assigns a BCS and weighs your pet, she can speak with you about goals, diagnostic tests to determine if a medical condition is causing weight gain, a plan and time frame for weight loss, and the diet/exercise plan to achieve an ideal weight.
The advantage of working with a vet with a strong background in nutrition is that they will be able to educate you about foods, how to determine the number of calories your pet needs, and the types of foods and treats which promote healthy weight loss.
Successful diets require changes in feeding habits and decreasing treats. One important tool for creating consistent weight loss is to change the food to a lower calorie, higher fiber and nutrient-rich diet. Then, be sure to weigh the food on kitchen scale rather than using a "cup" for measurement.
I learned this lesson when one of my clients with an obese pug came to the office for its 5th weigh-in appointment after being put on a weight loss diet. The dog had not lost a single ounce. The owner swore she was only giving a cup of food a day.
I asked her to bring the cup to the next appointment. That's when I discovered that her measuring cup was actually a 4 cup measuring device, which she was filling to the brim.
Exercise can help, but it usually requires dietary changes for weight to come off and stay off. During winter, consider indoor games and activities. We have pets that see us for swim and treadmill conditioning when cold weather keeps them indoors.
Other weight control strategies include slowing down your pet's eating by creating games in which they chase after or hunt for their food. This gets them moving and keeps them from inhaling their food. Additionally, one could use a puzzle bowl, food shooter, or, for multi-pet households, a locking bowl which opens when the pet wearing a computer chip approaches, but remains closed when the obese pet approaches.
But you should not simply starve your pet, or cut their food down to almost nothing. The lack of minerals and nutrients may shut down their metabolism and actually worsen the obesity problem.
If you're not sure if your pet is overweight or how to help with weight loss, visit your veterinarian and ask for a weight, BCS assessment, and diet guidelines. Learning about healthy food choices can benefit not only your pet, but the entire family.
I learned this lesson when one of my clients with an obese pug came to the office for its 5th weigh-in appointment after being put on a weight loss diet. The dog had not lost a single ounce. The owner swore she was only giving a cup of food a day.
I asked her to bring the cup to the next appointment. That's when I discovered that her measuring cup was actually a 4 cup measuring device, which she was filling to the brim.
Exercise can help, but it usually requires dietary changes for weight to come off and stay off. During winter, consider indoor games and activities. We have pets that see us for swim and treadmill conditioning when cold weather keeps them indoors.
Other weight control strategies include slowing down your pet's eating by creating games in which they chase after or hunt for their food. This gets them moving and keeps them from inhaling their food. Additionally, one could use a puzzle bowl, food shooter, or, for multi-pet households, a locking bowl which opens when the pet wearing a computer chip approaches, but remains closed when the obese pet approaches.
But you should not simply starve your pet, or cut their food down to almost nothing. The lack of minerals and nutrients may shut down their metabolism and actually worsen the obesity problem.
If you're not sure if your pet is overweight or how to help with weight loss, visit your veterinarian and ask for a weight, BCS assessment, and diet guidelines. Learning about healthy food choices can benefit not only your pet, but the entire family.