Obesity is a preventable condition that occurs when excess fat accumulates in the body. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the US are now overweight or obese. This worrying statistic highlights the fact that obesity is a major health threat to modern pets.
Overweight and obese pets are at higher risk of developing serious conditions including osteoarthritis, diabetes, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease. Excess weight can also shorten a pet’s life span and negatively impact their overall health and wellbeing.
Causes of Obesity
The most common contributing factors to obesity are overfeeding, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Older pets are more susceptible to the condition as their capacity to exercise decreases with age. Certain health conditions such as hypothyroidism and insulinoma can also lead to weight gain and obesity in pets.
Symptoms of Obesity
The main symptoms of obesity are weight gain and excess body fat. Overweight and obese pets may also display symptoms such as lethargy, exercise intolerance, respiratory problems, and loss of mobility.
Diagnosis of Obesity
The Body Condition Score (BCS) is a standardized scale that is used to diagnose obesity in pets. Because of the wide variation in body shapes between different breeds of cats and dogs, the BCS relies on physical and visual assessment of your pet’s body.
Your veterinarian will visually and physically examine your pet, paying particular attention to areas such as the ribs and hip bones. In pets of a healthy weight, these bones will be easily seen and felt. In underweight pets, they will far more pronounced.
By comparison, overweight and obese pets will have fat deposits which make locating the ribs and hip bones more difficult. They will also have a poorly defined waistline or rounded abdomen.
After the examination, your veterinarian will assign your pet a score on the BCS scale. Usually, scores range from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (severely obese). In some cases, a simplified scale with scores that range from 1-5 may be used. The results of the BCS will determine whether your pet is overweight or obese.
It is also possible to examine your pet at home using the BCS scale. Please ask your veterinarian for more information about using this method to monitor your pet’s weight.
Treatment of Obesity
If your pet is diagnosed as overweight or obese, your veterinarian will work with you to create a realistic weight loss plan. A nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet is usually recommended along with frequent exercise and monitoring of your pet’s weight. It will also be necessary to restrict treats and avoid feeding table scraps. Please follow your veterinarian’s recommendations closely to help your pet achieve a healthy weight.
Prevention of Obesity
The best way to prevent your pet from becoming overweight or obese is to feed a healthy, balanced diet and provide plenty of exercise. It is also important to monitor your pet’s weight and take them for regular veterinary checkups. Please consult with your veterinarian for more information on choosing an appropriate diet and exercise routine for your pet.
