According to recent information, 53% of dogs and 58% of cats are overweight or obese. Obese pets suffer significantly more from respiratory, bone, and joint issues than pets with an ideal body weight. There are options available to help your pet achieve weight loss. Helping your pet maintain a healthy body weight can prolong their lifespan and help them feel better.
A body condition score is helpful in determining an ideal weight for our pets. We use a scale from 1-9 (1 being starvation, 9 being obese, 4 or 5 is ideal weight). The veterinarian can determine your pets body condition score with a simple consultation and examination. The most common cause of obesity in household pets is an imbalance between calorie intake and its usage (eating more than a dog can expend). Geriatric dogs, inside dogs, and dogs that are fed table food are at the highest risk to develop obesity.
Although medical causes are much rarer, there can be medical conditions that lead to obesity such as hypothyroidism and Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s). These conditions generally include more clinical signs other than obesity. Both conditions can be diagnosed through blood testing in our hospital. Hypothyroidism is a low production of a thyroid hormone. Common symptoms include sluggish behavior, lethargy, low energy, and skin problems. Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s) is an over production of internal steroids. Common symptoms include excessive drinking or urinating, skin problems, and panting.
Obese dogs are greatly at risk for degenerative joint disease and ligament tears. Approximately 25% of overweight pets develop serious joint complications. A gain of even a pound or two of fat on a cat or dog can place significant stress on their body. Being obese also can delay healing in dogs that have bone or joint injuries. Obese dogs suffer significantly more from respiratory issues than dogs with an ideal body weight. For example, toy breed dogs with tracheal collapse tend to improve greatly with weight loss.
If you feel like you pet is overweight, please consult with a veterinarian. There are diet and exercise options to help your pet achieve weight loss. Each pet is different and will need a personalized plan to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. Your veterinarian can help make a diet plan that is best for your pet. This plan will take in to consideration calorie intake, specific dietary needs, treats, and a feeding schedule. Specific weight loss goals can even be charted to evaluate success. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise your pet should participate in during the day. This varies greatly by breed, stage of life, and underlying health conditions.
Prevention is the best medicine. Healthy eating habits start early. Dogs should be fed according to the recommended amount provided on the package of dog food purchased. In most cases meal feeding is generally recommended (allow two meals per day and pick up food in between meals). Treats should be considered in your pets’ daily calorie intake. If treats are administered, daily feeding amounts should be decreased.