Pet obesity remains one of the most significant health threats facing dogs and cats both in North America and globally. 50% to 60% of pets are overweight in Canada. In Canada’s Pet Wellness Report, Canadian veterinarians identified weight control and management as the number one thing a pet owner can do to increase the length of their pet’s life.
Obesity is a touchy subject, and it’s challenging for veterinarians to discuss weight loss problems with sensitive pet owners. That’s why organizations like the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention have declared October 7-13 as World Pet Obesity Week to bring awareness and education to pet owners about the health impacts and causes of pet obesity-related disorders, to help them understand and eliminate weight bias, and to promote obesity and weight loss interventions.
What are the health risks associated with obesity in pets?
Like humans, obesity in pets can lead to many other health issues:
- Longevity – Overweight dogs don’t live as long as lean, fit, healthy pets do – a dog’s lifespan can decrease by 2 years when moderately overweight.
- Difficulty in diagnosing other health issues – Diagnosis of health disorders is more difficult in obese pets, because it is harder to auscultate (listen with stethoscope) efficiently, or palpate (feel the abdomen or other structures), or to get proper samples (for example, venipuncture, or vein access may be more difficult).
- Higher risk during anaesthesia – Obese pets are at a greater risk during anaesthesia and surgery since they have reduced lung function, sometimes decreased liver and kidney function, greater risk of wound infection and require more anaesthetic than healthy weight pets. The surgeon may also be challenged due to excessive body cavity fat stores, as internal structures may be embedded deeply in these fatty accumulations.
- High blood pressure (hypertension) – High blood pressure may develop in obese pets; obesity also increases the risk of kidney, heart and vascular (blood vessel) diseases.
- Increased chance of arthritis – Obese pets have an increased incidence of arthritis (degenerative joint disease), and spinal disc problems compared to healthy weight pets. Obese pets also have more problems moving about (known as reduced mobility) than their thinner counterparts.
- Less play and exercise – Obese pets tend to play and exercise less, and if exercise is vigorous, pets are more likely to develop torn knee ligaments (known as “cranial cruciate rupture”); obesity leads to impaired endurance during exercise, and increased fatigue.
- More likely to get infectious disease – Obese pets tend to be less able to fight off infectious diseases and may have slower healing.
- Reduced heat endurance – Because of the insulating properties of fat, obese pets are less able to endure hot weather and may become more irritable or require enhanced cooling strategies to avoid overheating (hyperthermia).
- Skin issues – The prevalence of skin problems is 40 per cent higher in overweight dogs than dogs at optimum body weight.
- Breathing problems – Breathing problems may be significant if breeds of pets with very short nose/skull conformation (known as brachycephalic) become overweight as the fat presses in on the airways, and heat or exercise both may further compromise the system in these obese pets.
- Diabetes risk – Pets that are obese have an increased risk and severity of diabetes mellitus. A complex interplay with insulin metabolism and other metabolic processes due to release of hormonal factors from the fat tissue lead to interference with normal hormonal balance in the pet.
- Reduced reproductive success
- Increased gastrointestinal problems – Gastrointestinal problems are over-represented in obese pets, who have increased constipation and flatulence.
- Increased cancer risk
- Affected liver function – Liver function may be changed due to the accumulation of fat in the liver. For example, obese cats with sudden reduction in food intake or other health issues may develop fatty liver (hepatic lipidosis), a life-threatening condition.
How can I tell if my pet is overweight?
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a tool used to evaluate the body fat level and to determine proper body condition in animals. BCS helps determine if a pet’s growth rate and feeding amounts are correct. Monitoring growth and weight can help prevent obesity.
At each visit, your veterinarian will weigh your pet. They will also check your pet from whiskers to tail, feeling ribs and belly along the way, to see if your pet is at a healthy weight or not. If necessary, your vet can help you adjust the amount of food you are offering to help your pet achieve an optimal BCS.
Every pet should have its body condition assessed by a veterinarian or trained veterinary professional at least once a year. However, here are a few simple, at home tips to check in between vet visits:
- Does your pet’s stomach sag? Like humans, this is a clear indicator that your pet is carrying too much weight.
- Are your pet’s ribs hard to distinguish? By placing your hands on the sides of their chest, you should be able to feel their rib cage without much effort.
- Dogs and cats should have a distinct taper at their waist, between the abdomen and where their hips go into the socket. Overweight pets are oval-shaped, rather than hourglass.
- A broad and flat back is another sign they’re too wide on the sides.
Here are a couple videos showing how a BCS is performed:
Purina Institute – How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment – Cat
Purina Institute – How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment – Dog
What factors influence a cat or dog’s weight?
- Diet – How much and what you feed your pet is the most important factor affecting your pet’s weight.
- Exercise – Lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain and obesity.
- Genetics – Individual pets may have different metabolic rates, food drives, or physiological differences that place them more at risk for obesity. There are several identified genetic mutations associated with obesity and weight gain in humans and animals.
- Spay/Neuter Status – Pets that are spayed or neutered may experience hormonal changes that affect metabolism, and many may become less active, altering their caloric needs and leading to obesity.
- Age – Nutritional and dietary requirements change as pets age, along with nutrient digestion and catabolism, which can adversely affect weight.
- Medical Conditions – Certain medical conditions (hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly, etc.) can cause weight gain in pets.
- Medications – Certain drugs, including corticosteroids and seizure medications, can cause a pet to gain weight.
How can pet obesity be prevented?
For most pets, diet and exercise are the two biggest contributors to helping prevent obesity.
Overfeeding is the most common mistake in a pet’s health. 44.5% of overall pet owners said they feed their pets by “making food available to their pet(s) at all times,” which was more common for cat owners (57%) than dog owners (32%), according to the Canada Pet Wellness report. Veterinarians surveyed in the Canada Pet Wellness report also said they believe the majority of dogs (55%) and cats (70%) that they see do not receive an adequate amount of exercise to maintain good health.
Here are 12 tips to help prevent pet obesity:
- Regular Exercise. Our pets are innately energetic. For dogs, activity levels vary by breed but a daily walk of 30 to 60 minutes is a great place to start for optimum health. For indoor cats, toys, laser pointers and cat trees can go a long way in keeping those calories burning.
- Avoid the temptation to overfeed. Both dogs and cats are known for their prolific begging skills, but giving in to those sad, puppy eyes or plaintive meows isn’t a good thing for their waistline. Btw, starving a pet is just as bad as overfeeding.
- Maintain a nutritious and healthy diet. There are a multitude of healthy diet alternatives and brands to choose from, but a consultation with our veterinarian about the best diet based on your pet’s condition is the best place to start.
- Eliminate table scraps and high-calorie treats. At the very least, keep these to a minimum and focus on healthier diets and treats. Make no mistake, it’s hard not to give in!
- Reduce snacks between meals. Calories in treats for pets can really add up. It’s been suggested that they should only make up about 10% of your pet’s caloric intake. As a treat alternative, cut up small pieces of pet-friendly fruits and veggies for tasty treats with fewer calories.
- Make exercise fun. Living a healthy lifestyle benefits everyone in the family, even if you’re a family of one. Finding pleasurable activities you can experience with your pet will always be more fun for everyone.
- Portion control. A discussion with our veterinarians about your pet’s dietary requirements is a great place to start. Free pouring or ‘eye-balling’ food portions isn’t going to cut it. Consistently measured portions is a reliable, pet-friendly way to keep the recommended caloric intake steady.
- Maintain a regular feeding routine. By feeding your pet at the same time every day, they will learn to expect food at that time and be less likely to beg for food throughout the day.
- Distractions to control appetite. When your pet begs for food, avert their attention to some other activity they enjoy. This could be going for a walk, playing with a toy or simply receiving some love from their favourite pet parent – they never grow tired of this!
- Don’t eat where you sleep. Leave your pet’s food dish far-removed from their favorite place to relax – this gives them a reason to get up and move during the day.
- Make them work for their food. To slow the rate of your pet’s food consumption, there are several playthings that you can fill with kibble. The result? It will make your pet put in some effort to obtain their meal. These toys keep them busy and stop them from wolfing down their entire dinner in record time.
- Follow veterinary advice! Anytime you make changes to your pet’s diet or lifestyle, it’s imperative to check with your veterinarian first. Certain breeds, current age, lifestyle and underlying health conditions generally require special dietary and activity considerations.