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CANINE AND FELINE OBESITY
Obesity is the most common nutritional
disorder affecting pets today. By definition, obesity is a body weight that
is greater than 20% above optimal body weight. The most common cause of
obesity is an over consumption of calories. Surveys estimate that 25% of
dogs and cats in the U.S. seen in veterinary clinics today are obese.
Studies have proven that obese dogs and
cats are significantly more at risk for many diseases: arthritis, joint
injuries, heart disease, diabetes, bladder cancer, etc. Cats especially are
at risk for hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Also, obese pets
experience fatigue, exercise intolerance and heat intolerance leading to a
poor overall quality of life.
There are certain factors that can increase
your pet’s chances for being obese. These include:
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Breed: Some dog breeds that are
predisposed to obesity include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers,
Dachshunds, Shelties, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels and Cairn
Terriers. Mix breed cats tend to have greater problems with obesity than
purebreds.
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Lifestyle & Feeding: These
points include portion size, what is fed and exercise routines.
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Spaying or Neutering: There are
major health benefits to spaying and neutering cats and dogs! However,
because spayed and neutered pets tend to experience a minor reduction in
metabolic rate, they will need to be fed accordingly. Also, as a pet
gets older, their metabolism slows down.
Helping your pet achieve weight loss can be
an uphill battle! Excess body fat requires very little energy to maintain.
(That’s why it is so easy to keep instead of lose!) Don’t despair!
You CAN Do It! Here is the plan:
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Make the commitment to improve your pet’s
health and long life by reducing to a safer body weight! Your
veterinarian will provide you with a detailed plan on what to feed,
how much, and how often as well as an exercise plan and follow up
plan.
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Put the plan in motion! It is okay to
make changes gradually, but keep working toward the ultimate goal.
Overweight cats and dogs need gradual weight reduction to improve
their chances at a long and healthy life. This point cannot be
emphasized enough!
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Follow up! It’s very important to know
if the original plan is working or if it needs adjustment. Please feel
free to come by to use our scales. It is recommended that your pet’s
weight be checked every 4 weeks until the goal is achieved.
Points to remember when you are getting
started:
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DO NOT feed table scraps! Not only
are these high in fat and calories, they can cause serious
gastrointestinal problems!
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Consult with your veterinarian before
giving any treats. Generally, green beans, baby carrots, and popcorn
(be careful of the possible risk of choking) with no butter are good
choices. (NO grapes or raisins, as these are toxic to dogs.) Any
calories that are allowed as treats must be subtracted from the daily
allowance of calories.
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Feed in multiple, small feedings per
day. Measure out food in exact amounts. "Free choice" or
"fill the bowl every day" type feeding will not allow for
weight loss. In fact, it is a good way to promote obesity.
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Add in exercise! There are many
obese pets that will not lose weight without exercise. Walking and
swimming are best. Start out with what is comfortable and work towards a
goal of 20 to 60 minutes of leash walking per day. (It’s great for the
whole family!) For you housecat owners, you must get creative here!
Maybe a harness for walks? Feeding time at the top of the stairs? Use a
favorite toy for play?
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Portion size and the type of food fed
can have a major impact on your pet’s weight. One of the
biggest problems most people have is that we tend to equate food with
love. Therefore, we tend to give our pets more food and treats than they
need. A second problem is portion control. If an average person weighs
150lbs and owns a 5lb dog, then (assuming the food is appropriate) a
"normal" serving size for this dog is approximately 1/30 the
serving size for this person.
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Watch what you feed, not just how much.
Many common pet foods that are labeled as "lean",
"light" or "reduced calorie" are not restricted
enough for treatment of obesity. Also, you can create vitamin or mineral
deficiencies if you simply reduce the amount of what you are currently
feeding. (This is okay for trimming down but not for treatment of
obesity.) Your veterinarian may prescribe a weight loss diet that will
help you enjoy success and provide good nutrition during the weight loss
for your pet.
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Not too fast! Your veterinarian
will give you a weight loss goal as well as an estimated time range to
achieve it. This is especially important for obese cats. They may
experience liver problems if they go on a "starvation diet" so
follow your plan carefully.
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