It is estimated that over 50% of our canine and feline pets are overweight or obese, and that percentage is growing.  Obesity causes many secondary problems, including early onset of arthritis, respiratory impairment, increased risk of diabetes mellitus, increased risk of intervertebral disc disease, and an average decrease in life span of 15%.  We want to talk a little about causes of obesity, ways to combat it, and the problems that can ensue from an obese pet.

Causes of Obesity

• Overfeeding is probably the most common cause of obesity.  All foods are different - just as one cup of carrots does not contain the same amount of calories as one cup of ice cream, such is the case with different brands of pet foods.  Look carefully on the back of the bag to see what feeding amount is recommended for your dog or cat's size.  Along the same lines, food needs to be measured using a measuring cup to get accurate results.  Pets, in general, should not be allowed free choice feeding throughout the day (there are some medical exceptions so talk with one of our doctors if you think your pet may need food freely throughout the day), but should have specified meals given to them, usually twice daily.  This will not only help you monitor their appetite and food intake, but it helps with behavior as well.
• Pets become overweight also from too little exercise.  Dogs should be exercised daily with a minimum of a 30 minute walk or other similar form of exercise.  This will also help get excited energy out and decrease problem behaviors in your dogs.  Cats are a little trickier.  Try to encourage movement as much as possible, for example by chasing a toy.
• Overfeeding treats is a big problem for most of our pet dogs.  Many owners do not count the calories from treats as part of the overall diet, which can lead to increased weight gain.  Portion control is very important.  Most treats can be broken into smaller pieces and given throughout the day.  If your pet is overweight, swapping high calorie, unhealthy treats for baby carrots is also a good solution as carrots are lower in calories and the crunchy texture is good for dental health as well.
• Spayed or neutered pets are more likely to become overweight.  This is simply due to the fact that about 3 months after neutering an animal, their metabolism generally decreases and they require less food to maintain their weight than an intact animal would.  For neutered pets, we recommend feeding about 80% of the suggested daily food amount.  This is sufficient in maintaining a healthy weight for most neutered pets.  If you pet has been neutered and continues to have a lean figure, then there is no need to alter the diet.
• There are several medical conditions that can cause weight gain in pets, including hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and certain breed predispositions.  One or more tests may be recommended depending on your pet's history and clinical signs to try and diagnose a cause for obesity.

Problems Arising From Obesity

• Early onset arthritis is the number one problem that afflicts overweight pets.  This is due to two reasons: first, the extra weight places greater stress on the bones and joints, which leads to degenerative joint disease.  Second, fat is actually metabolically active.  This means that the fat cells themselves secrete inflammatory proteins that cause arthritis to develop.  Unfortunately, once arthritis has developed, there is no way to reverse the changes completely.
• Overweight cats are prone to developing diabetes mellitus.  Similar to Type II diabetes in people, the pancreas stops responding to insulin, leading to high blood sugar.  Diabetes can have severe detrimental effects.  Most cats will be placed on insulin and given a strict weight-control diet.  Some cats will need insulin for life, but some cats will be able to stop insulin after weight loss has been achieved.
  
• Just from the sheer pressure of fat surrounding the chest, a large number of pets will have breathing difficulties from being overweight.  This can lead to increased risk of heat stroke, increased incidence of episodes in pets with collapsing tracheas, increased risks during surgery (anesthetic complications can occur, and increased fat in the abdomen makes surgeries such as a spay more difficult).

How Do I Help My Pet?

1. Medical testing - first, we need to rule out any medical causes for your pet to be overweight.  Commonly, dogs are tested for hypothyroidism before starting an extensive weight loss program.
2. Diet - there are many different options here depending on the severity of your pet's obesity.  Most mildly overweight animals will simply benefit from portion restriction of their regular food and controlling type and number of treats they get.  Moderately overweight to obese pets usually need to go on a prescription low calorie diet food short-term, and then be maintained on a weight control diet long-term to prevent future problems.  There is also a diet specifically designed for arthritic dogs and cats that helps control pain and promotes better joint mobility while allowing them to lose weight.
3. Exercise - an exercise program needs to be implemented for any overweight pet.  Depending on your pet's medical needs, we can discuss different exercise options for your pet.
   
4. Medication - currently, there is only one weight loss medication approved for dogs called Slentrol.  It works by reducing appetite and decreasing fat absorption from the intestinal tract without creating loose or fatty stools.  With routine weigh-ins and exercise, this medication works very well.  It also blocks some of the inflammatory proteins that contribute to arthritis, so it can be used as a pain control in mild early arthritis cases.
5. Controlling secondary problems - arthritis pain, respiratory problems, skin conditions, overgrown nails, diabetes mellitus, and many other problems need to be addressed while your pet is losing weight.  These conditions can be helped by medication, physical rehabilitation, and nutritional supplements, which may or may not be needed long term. 
   

*** Please remember, obesity is a medical condition that needs to be addressed with your veterinarian.  Come and consult with one of our doctors on staff before starting a diet and exercise program.  Please also make sure to inform our staff of any medication (including over the counter medication and nutritional supplements) your pet may be taking!