Many pet owners are unaware that their pets may be carrying around a few extra pounds. In fact, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50 percent of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese! Many cases of pet obesity are due to poor diet and inadequate exercise, although there are some medical conditions that can contribute, too. Overweight pets are more prone to illnesses such as diabetes, orthopedic injuries, and arthritis – among others – all of which can lead to a shorter lifespan.
Let’s start with a quick overview on how to assess whether your pet is at a healthy weight. In general, you should be able to feel your pets’ ribs easily when you pet them; their abdomen should be slightly tucked when viewed from the side; and there should be a visible waist when viewing them from the top. That means no love handles! Next time you are at the vet’s office, ask to see a “Body Condition Score” chart to help.
We all know that regular exercise is very important for maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy mind (and a well-behaved dog)! Diet is another key component to maintaining a healthy weight. If you’re not sure how much to be feeding, ask your veterinarian next time you are in for a visit. While each individual will vary (based on activity level, lifestyle and medical conditions) here is a very rough guideline for caloric needs of an average sized cat and a medium sized dog. Generally speaking a 10 pound cat needs around 200 kcal/day. Many dry cat foods contain 300-500 kcal in a single cup! Canned foods often contain many fewer calories and simply switching to canned food can help some cats shed the extra pounds. A 45 pound dog needs around 7-800 kcal/day. Keep this in mind when giving those extra treats. Many dog treats contain upwards of 30 kcal/treat and some are much, much more!
Unexplained weight gain (no recent change in diet or exercise level) can be a very important indicator of your pet’s overall health status. Some medical conditions that can cause weight gain include hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), various medications and some diseases causing abdominal distension (fluid or masses in the abdomen).
If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, please talk with your veterinarian. Together we can come up with the best plan to get your pet back to a healthy weight and address any underlying medical conditions. Let’s keep your cats and dogs lean and healthy so they’ll be with you for a long, long time!