Is your pet carrying some extra weight? In a world full of treats and cozy beds, it’s common for our pets to become overweight. Similar to humans, carrying excess weight can lead to a number of health issues for our beloved cats and dogs. Let’s delve into how to recognise if your furry friend is overweight and discover tips to help them shed those extra kilos.
What causes pet obesity?
Overeating and lack of exercise are the primary culprits behind pet obesity. Responsible pet parenting plays a crucial role in preventing weight gain, including avoiding extra and unhealthy treats and ensuring your pets gets regular exercise.
What’s a healthy weight for my pet?
Just like people, there’s no single “ideal weight” that applies to every pet. A healthy weight depends on several factors, including breed, age, sex, and overall health.
The most accurate way to determine your pet’s ideal weight is through an individual assessment, so if you’re unsure, it’s always best to speak with your vet for tailored advice.
Some pets are naturally more prone to gaining weight, which makes maintaining a healthy body condition even more important.
Certain dog breeds are more likely to become overweight, including Beagles, Pugs, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Scottish Terriers, and Saint Bernards. Female dogs also tend to gain weight more easily, and the risk increases further after desexing. In fact, obesity rates in desexed dogs can be up to twice as high as in entire dogs.
For cats, several factors can increase the likelihood of weight gain and obesity, including:
- Breed – Five breeds that are often associated with higher risk of becoming overweight include; British Shorthair, Persian, Ragdoll, Maine Coon and Scottish Fold.
- Being between five and ten years of age, when activity levels often decline
- Being fed too frequently or receiving more than the recommended portions (including free feeding)
Health risks for overweight pets
Pets carrying excess weight face health risks similar to humans. Even a modest 15% increase over their ideal body weight can put them at risk of developing the following conditions*:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
- Degenerative joint and orthopedic disease (including arthritis)
- Joint stress or musculoskeletal pain
- Respiratory problems
- Cancer and tumours
- Skin problems
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Reproductive disorders
- Decreased quality of life
- Shorter life expectancy
Signs your pet is overweight
Here are a few signs your pet might be overweight:
- Difficulty feeling their ribs
- Lack of a defined ‘waist’
- Visible fat deposits and rolls
- Reduced or inefficient grooming, if at all
- Reluctance or disinterest in exercise
- Quick fatigue and refusal to continue physical activity
- A ‘waddle’ or abnormal movement in their walk
- Frequent panting, even without movement or exercise
While your vet can assess your pet’s weight during routine check-ups, you can also perform a check at home by placing your hands on the sides of their body and gently feeling their ribs. If their ribs are difficult to feel or cannot be felt at all, your pet may be overweight.
Helping your pet lose weight
Follow these steps to help get your pet back in shape.
Visit your vet
If you think your pet may be overweight, the first step is to book a visit with your vet. They’ll carry out a thorough assessment, rule out any underlying medical conditions, and help you understand your pet’s ideal body condition.
From there, your vet can create a personalised weight management plan, which may include:
- Clear guidance on a balanced diet, including the right food and portion sizes
- A tailored exercise plan to safely increase your pet’s activity levels
Many clinics also offer dedicated weight management programs, with regular weigh-ins to track progress and ensure feeding amounts stay on target. Measuring cups are often available to help you portion meals accurately at home.
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your pet’s progress and make any necessary adjustments along the way.
Maintain a healthy diet
The food your pet eats plays an important role in their overall health and wellbeing. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If your pet is overweight, your vet may recommend a pet food formulated for weight management. These foods provide nutrition to keep your pet satisfied whilst they lose weight.
While treats are a great way to reward or spoil your pet, overdoing it can throw off their diet. Many treats are high in calories, and if you give them too often, it can add up quickly. Even though those begging eyes may be adorable, human treats are a strict no-no. Use treats as rewards for positive behaviour and training sessions and ensure they don’t make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.
Consider healthier reward treats, such as:
- A small portion of your pet’s daily feed allowance (kibble)
- Fresh foods like carrots, zucchini, berries, or beans for dogs
- Small amounts of cooked fish, catnip, or cat grass for cats
Before making any adjustments to your pet’s diet, seek advice from your vet regarding the ideal weight and a nutritious diet.
Regularly exercise
Exercise plays a vital role in helping your pet lose weight, while also supporting a healthy metabolism, strengthening the body, and providing important mental stimulation. When starting an exercise routine, especially for dogs who are overweight—it’s important to begin slowly and build up gradually. If your dog struggles with walking, begin with swimming and work up to the following activities:
- Walk: A 30-minute walk fosters bonding and keeps your pet active.
- Obstacle course: Set up a course in your local park or backyard using benches, trees, and other items. Your dog can jump, crawl, and balance, promoting agility. Start with easy obstacles and never force your dog into activities they’re hesitant about.
- Fetch: Engage your pet with this classic game, but avoid using sticks to prevent splinters or injuries. Opt for safer alternatives designed for fetch.
- Hide and seek: Hide your dog’s favourite toy in the house and join them in the search for it.
Keeping your cat curious can be fun and easy! Check out some of our suggestions below:
- Cat toy: These can be either commercial or homemade toys like feathers, cat fishing poles, ping pong balls, paper or foil balls. Through these toys, you can encourage active play for your cat.
- Flashlights: Entertain your cat by letting them chase the light from a flashlight, avoiding laser lights to protect their eyes.
- Box and paper bags: Provide a cardboard box or paper bag for your cat to play with.
- Food treasure hunt: Create a daily routine of feeding your cat in different spots around the house, turning mealtime into a playful treasure hunt.
- Hard work: Challenge your cat with obstacles or feed them from high places, like tall furniture, to promote activity and movement.
Similar to humans, the path to weight loss for pets can be a slow journey. However, if you’re patient, and follow the weight-loss program your vet designs, you will see results. Remember, the effort you invest now will create a routine that will help your pet live a longer, happier, and healthier life!
*Source: Pet Food Industry Association Australia (PFIAA), 2020
