OBESITY IN PETS
Obesity or excessive body weight is the most common nutritional condition found in pets today. About 1/4 of all our pets can medically be reported as obese (they weigh 15% more than their ideal body weight). Most incidences of obesity are caused by overfeeding. Humans tend to equate food with love. We shower our pets with food and treats to show love and to make them happy. However, it has been proven that these short-term rewards lead to long-term serious health consequences. With guidance from your veterinarians, you can prevent your pet from becoming obese by either maintaining their healthy weight or reducing any excessive weight.
- Many health conditions are associated with obesity. Some of the most common medical consequences that arise from excessive body weight are:
- Developing diabetes. Obese pets have a considerable increase in developing diabetes, a metabolic condition, that if not managed with proper diet and daily insulin injections, can cause the decline in you pets health and can lead to death.
- Overweight pets have higher rates of orthopedic problems. Additional weight can put unnecessary stress and strain on the joints that help support the body. This can eventually lead to surgical intervention to correct the damage caused to the supportive joints of the body.
- Obese pets have higher risks of developing cardiovascular and respiratory disease, which can lead to death.
- Skin problems can also arise due to excessive weight. It is more difficult for obese pets to groom and maintain themselves properly., leading to skin irritation and infection.
- Controlling calorie intake to avoid excess
- Feeding a high quality diet recommended by your veterinarian
- Maintain a regular DAILY exercise program
Obesity causes an increased surgical and anesthetic risk.
Obese pets have altered metabolic rates, making it more difficult to achieve and maintain weight loss.
These risks, individually or in combination, will help decrease the quality and quantity of your pets life. Talk to our health care team to outline a plan to maintain or reduce your pets weight status.
Unfortunately, much of the obesity in pets stems from the fact that we as owners equate food with love. We want to make our pets happy, and so we feed them more and more tasty treats. But food is no substitute for love, attention, and quality time spent together, so keep your pet lean, trim and fit by :
If your pet is gaining to much weight get the advice of your veterinarian before it progresses to obesity.
