Ahoyhoy! Thanks for stopping by! Today we are going to learn about Obesity in Pets.
(Head over to the Resources tab for more information about body condition scoring.)
I am SURE that every one of you reading this can think of a fat dog or chunky cat you’ve seen. But did you know that nearly 60% of all pets in the US are overweight or obese?! That means that more than half of pets are carrying around extra weight, which is affecting their health and shortening their lifespan.
Sure, thin is in, but Fluffy is so cute! What’s the harm?
Obesity is associated with a lot of health conditions. Sometimes it’s a bit of a chicken-or-the-egg situation (did obesity cause the condition, or did the condition cause decreased activity which led to obesity). However, the important part is to realize that both obesity and the underlying condition have health consequences.
Think about all of the cats and dogs in your life. How many have some of the problems on that list? Some of them cause chronic pain, some of them are expensive to treat, all of them can decrease your pets’ quality of life. But you can help your pet!
Obesity is an inflammatory condition
Fat causes inflammation throughout the body through a variety of cellular mechanisms. More fat equals more inflammation. Inflammation contributes to the development of many other disease states. Studies have shown that a 5% decrease in body weight can be as effective at treating inflammation as prescription anti-inflammatories such as Rimadyl and Metacam!
Fluffy and Fido go from Flab to Fab
Weight loss in pets is a long-term project that requires a team effort from you, your pet, and a veterinarian. Pets should lose weight at a rate of 3-5% per month – that’s 1 pound per month for a 20 pound pet!
This can be achieved through a combination of:
- diet (reducing caloric intake, ensuring good nutrition)
- exercise (daily low-impact activity, therapeutic exercise)
- management of concurrent conditions (treating pain, addressing endocrine conditions)
It’s hard work, sticking to your pets’ plan for months. But it is so worth it! A healthy body weight can increase energy, improve quality of sleep, decrease pain and inflammation, and even contribute to a longer lifespan.
Determining a healthy body weight can be a challenge. It is tempting to aim for a specific number, but each pet is different. That’s why body condition scales have been developed. These allow us to look at a pet’s body shape objectively to decide if they are a healthy weight. You can use these charts to help monitor your pets’ weight loss journey.
Diet
A veterinarian can help you adjust your pets’ diet to encourage weight loss. Sticking to a diet plan takes dedication not only from you, but from everyone who interacts with your pets.
Weight loss requires the body to burn more calories than are being ingested. Reducing meals by 25% can help with this deficit. However, you also have to account for ALL calories that your pet is eating throughout the day. This includes:
- meals
- snacks or treats
- human food or scraps
- food picked up from the floor or stolen from counters
- pill pockets or foods used to hide medications
- food or water additives to encourage eating or drinking
One way to account for all calories is to replace all treats or snacks with kibble from your pets’ regular meals. Your pets’ total daily calories are then measured out in kibble. No cheating!
Some pets enjoy vegetables such as carrots, green beans, or broccoli as treats. These are a low-calorie option for either treats or to add to the volume of meals (but you still have to count the calories!)
Talk to your family and friends about your pets’ weight-loss needs. Provide alternatives to showing affection with food: special toys, play, physical contact. Weight loss is a team effort!
Exercise
Exercise is another very important part of weight loss. Daily low-impact activity such as leash walks around the neighborhood (or walking around the house) is an excellent exercise for most dogs. Although it is tempting to be a “weekend warrior” with your pets – long hikes or periods of play after days of inactivity, daily activity is better and safer for overall health.
Some pets are heavy enough or debilitated enough that daily activity such as walks can be a challenge. Physical rehabilitation can be a great help! Therapeutic exercise as performed and prescribed by Grace Veterinary Services can encourage exercise and calorie burning. Rehab can help turn your home into Fat Camp for your pet, accelerating weight loss even in pets who otherwise cannot exercise.
Managing concurrent conditions
Treating underlying and concurrent conditions is an important part of improving your pet’s health. Your veterinarian can help recommend diagnostics and treatment.
Managing pain is a very important step in the process. If you read last week’s lesson, you’ll remember that arthritis affects a majority of pets over the age of 6. Obesity contributes to the development and progression of arthritis. As a painful inflammatory condition, arthritis can be treated with medications and supplements, as well as complementary therapies such as acupuncture and laser therapy.
Can cats do Rehab? Do I have to walk my cat on a leash???
Cats can absolutely do rehab. They are great candidates for therapeutic exercise and home-exercise plans! Although some cats can walk on leashes, many (most) cats are not going to participate willingly. Instead, individualized plans can be developed to utilize each cat’s home environment. Treats, laser pointers, ribbon, and other tools can be used to encourage cats to move through a series of exercises. Weight loss is important for your cat’s health too!
So, do you know a pet that could benefit from weight loss? Want help making a plan to get your pet back to a healthy weight? Let’s get Fluffy and Fido into the home gym. Flab to Fab!
Thanks for reading! Come back for next week’s lesson on Hip Health.