Obesity in humans, as well as our companion animals has become an ever increasing topic of concern. And just like in humans, obesity in pets is associated with joint problems, diabetes mellitus, respiratory compromise, and decreased life span. Recent studies suggest that up to 40% of dogs and cats in the U.S. suffer from obesity. How does your pet become overweight, what are the repercussions, and how can you help your pet lose the excess pounds?
A cat or dog’s diet is completely dependent on you, the owner. What your pet eats and how much they eat is largely your decision. This is the largest factor contributing to obesity. Just as a child given a choice between candy and vegetables would obviously choose candy, your pet is likely to show a preference for higher fat food and treats - to the detriment of their health. It is up to you, the caregiver, to provide a healthy, well balanced diet with reasonable portions.
Let’s begin with type of food. Your pet should be fed a high quality diet that is appropriate to the breed and stage in life. For instance, an 8 week old Great Dane puppy should be on Large Breed Puppy food whereas a 13 year old indoor cat should be on a geriatric feline formulation. When feeding the appropriate food, use the package guidelines as a starting point for how much to feed. Each animal is individual, so just as a person weighing 150 pounds may be obese and another person weighing that same amount may be rail thin, the same is true of pets. If your pet is already overweight, you should reduce the amount or switch to a lower-fat food. It may seem obvious, but a measuring cup as indicated on the feeding guidelines is not the same as a scooping cup, coffee can, or other large mug. It is actually referring to a 1 cup measuring cup. If you don’t have one, ask your veterinarian’s office as they will be happy to provide you with one. Many owners are surprised by how much they are actually feeding their pets when they measure it out correctly. Most pets should be fed once or twice daily meals instead of being allowed to snack on their food all day long. If you have multiple pets, this may mean separating them during meal time to ensure each animal eats their designated amount.
Treats also play in to your pet’s daily caloric intake. Do you give your pet regular treats at certain times of day or in reward for tricks and certain behaviors? Many of us do, and think of it as showing affection for our pet. The problem is that pet treats are often very high in calories and four or five treats is the equivalent of an extra meal’s worth of added fat. Instead of playing in to this trap, reward your pet with extra love, play and petting. When you do reach for a treat, ensure it is lean such as Hill’s Science Diet T/D, Butler’s Lean Treats or even one of my own personal pet’s favorites which are raw vegetables such as baby carrots.
Activity level, genetics, metabolic disturbances, and other factors may also affect weight. A pet that has daily physical activity, such as walking, running, or playing is less likely to become obese. On the other hand, a pet that is sedentary and only walks in the yard or house is more likely to be overweight. Some animals have genes that predispose them to obesity, such as golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, beagles, basset hounds, and Labrador retrievers. Metabolic disturbances, particularly hypothyroidism (or a slow metabolism), can cause pets to pack on extra pounds. Additionally, after your pet is spayed or neutered, metabolism slows down, and fewer calories are needed. Some other factors that can contribute to your pet becoming obese include having children at home as they often intentionally or accidently provide “spilled snacks” and having an outdoor cat or dog that is able to roam and find food left out by neighbors. All of these factors are variables that impact the “guidelines” and should drive the amount of food and treats consumed by your pet.
So, now we know how your pet can easily become overweight. Let’s explore why this is so harmful.
- Obese animals have shortened life spans. A study of Labrador retrievers found that dogs kept on the slender side of normal lived a median of 2.5 years longer than their overweight counterparts. That’s 20% longer, considering an average dog lives 12 to 13 years.
- Joint problems are significantly worsened by extra weight. The additional pounds cause unnecessary stress on bones and joints, worsening degenerative joint disease, increasing the chance for disc disease, and causing further pain. This pain leads to decreased mobility, which in turn leads to increased weight gain. While there are great anti-inflammatory painkillers available for dogs with arthritis pain, there are negative side effects of such medications. Additionally, there is not a single arthritis medication (NSAID) for cats available, so if your cat becomes obese and develops arthritis, they will have to suffer in pain.
- Obesity predisposes cats and dogs to diabetes mellitus. In fact, obese cats have been found to have a 50% decrease in insulin sensitivity. This condition in which your pet is unable to regulate blood sugar most often necessitates extensive and lifelong treatment with insulin.
- Pets that carry extra weight often have more difficulty breathing, as the weight acts like a tight jacket around the chest, forcing your pet to work harder to simply breathe.
- When an overweight cat stops eating because of any illness or stress, the excess fat is mobilized to provide calories, causing a life-threatening liver condition called hepatic lipidosis.
What can you do to help your pet lose the excess weight now that you are aware of how dangerous those pounds are? First, have you pet evaluated by your veterinarian to determine the ideal weight. Your vet may also recommend testing for health problems such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus. Next, evaluate the type and amount of food you are feeding. Often, it is dangerous to reduce the amount of “regular” food to a point where your pet will lose weight steadily, as he will not be getting enough of the nutrients needed for his or her body to function properly. This means you may need to feed a prescription weight loss diet. Foods that are “light” or “less active” diets are usually designed to prevent weight gain, not actually cause weight loss, thus they are usually not appropriate either. You will need to feed a measured amount and take in to account any treats provided throughout the day. Ideally, treats should be lean or fresh vegetables such as the aforementioned carrots or green beans and snap peas. The next step is to increase his physical activity level. This means regular walks, playing fetch, or chasing a laser light around the house. Whatever activity you and your pet can commit to on a consistent basis, so long as it lasts for approximately 30 minutes per day and gets your pet moving. You can also provide interactive toys for your pet when you are away. A perfect example is a Kong toy stuffed with ¼ cup of Science Diet Tarter Diet (T/D) Treats, which provides intellectual stimulation and physical activity while your pet figures out how to get the food out of the toy. Just don’t forget to factor these calories into the total daily caloric allowance!
In severe and rare cases in which a pet is dangerously obese and diet and exercise alone aren’t taking the weigh off quickly enough, your veterinarian may prescribe a prescription weight loss medication called Slentrol. This acts as an appetite suppressant that manipulates the absorption of fat in to the body in such a way as to trick the brain in to feeling full. It is always combined with diet and exercise in order to reach a healthy weight for your pet.
Finally, you should commit to regular monthly weigh-ins at your veterinarian’s office. Keep in mind what the ideal weight is so you and your vet can track progress and assure your pet safely reaches their goal. Ultimately, you will end up with a healthier, happier pet that will be with you longer.
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