Obesity is not only a growing problem in people, but our dogs and cats are also at risk of expanding waistlines. We love to love our pets through food. Consequentially, pet obesity statistics are on the rise as are veterinary health problems secondary to carrying around excessive body weight.
The Meowing Vet explains the health risks of heavy weight gain, how to determine your pet’s fitness level, and ways of encouraging your dog or cat to shed some pounds.
Learn more below…
Disclaimer: Before initiating any diet or exercise program to promote weight loss in your pet, consult first with your veterinarian.
The number of pet obesity cases are on the rise in many countries worldwide. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reports that 55.8% of dogs and 59.5% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese based on a 2018 survey. Those statistics are staggering and even higher than in previous years. We love our companion animals and wish to pamper them and treat them with yummy and nutritious food. We may even go overboard with the scrumptious goodies because we feel guilty about not being able to provide them with enough exercise due to our hectic schedules. However, we’re contributing to a growing pet obesity problem that is putting our dog and cats’ health at risk.
Health Problems Associated with Pet Obesity
Carrying around excessive body weight is not only taxing on the body’s musculoskeletal system, but it also causes more work for the heart and lungs. Additionally, body fat (or adipose tissue) can function as an endocrine organ, affecting metabolism and aberrant hormone production. Secondary consequences range from abnormal responses of vital hormones such as insulin (leading to diabetes) to high levels of stress hormones that can induce bladder problems in cats. Providing for your pet’s veterinary care to manage these complications can be costly. The most common health concerns associated with overweight or obese dogs and cats include:
Decreased life span- Osteoarthritis and joint mobility problems
- Cruciate ligament rupture (CCL injury)
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) of the spine
- Diabetes mellitus (“high blood sugar”)
- Obesity can cause type-2 (insulin-resistant) diabetes in felines. While obesity in and of itself does not induce type-1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in dogs, excessive body weight can complicate management of canine diabetes.
- Urinary tract diseases
Liver and/or gall bladder disease- Hypothyroidism in canines
- Lipoma (fatty skin tumor) development
- Respiratory disorders
- Feline asthma
- Obesity can complicate breathing issues in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog and cat breeds as well as dogs with bronchitis and collapsing trachea (a.k.a. tracheal collapse).
- Cardiovascular disease: While obesity is not typically associated with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (fatty plaque deposits on the walls of blood vessels) as it is in humans, obesity can cause or complicate other cardiovascular diseases:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Various cancers
How To Assess Your Pet’s Weight
During each veterinary exam, your vet should assess not only the body weight (BW) of your pet but also your pet’s Body Condition Score (BCS). Also called the Body Condition Scale or Body Condition System, this tool provides vets with a universal means of objectively gauging a dog or cat’s fat and muscle composition (i.e. fitness level). It is often paired with a Muscle Condition Score (MCS) to assess the quality of your pet’s lean muscle mass.
The Body Condition Score (BCS) charts for dogs and cats typically range from 1-9 (though some scales may be based on 1-5), with 1 being emaciated and 9 being morbidly obese. For dogs 4/9 or 5/9 is ideal, while a score of 5/9 is considered ideal for cats. The ribs should not be readily visible yet should be able to be felt (palpated) under a small bit of fat coverage, while the waist (belly) should be slightly tucked in from a side view.
What constitutes overweight or obesity? An overweight dog or cat has a BCS of 6/9 with a body weight of 10-19% above ideal. An obese pet has a BCS of 7/9 or above and has a body weight excess of 20% or higher.
Your pet’s BCS will be a valuable tool when determining how much weight your pet will need to lose to achieve an ideal body weight for his or her build.
(DOWNLOAD a free PDF copy of the Canine BCS chart here.)
(DOWNLOAD a free PDF copy of the Feline BCS chart here.)
The Body Condition System charts above are provided by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.
How Can I Assess My Pet’s Body Condition Score?
Though your veterinarian is best trained in ascertaining your pet’s body condition score (BCS), we vets also encourage pet owners to “play animal doctor” a bit to determine their pet’s current weight status and to monitor for weight loss or gain at home. Many pet owners are shocked (and some even in denial) to hear that their dog or cat is overweight or obese. For instance, their 12 pound (5.4 kg) terrier looks so small to them. Yeah, well, that 12 pound terrier should only weigh 8.4 pounds (3.8 kg) based on its frame, has a BCS of 8/9, and is lugging around an extra 30% above his ideal weight! Starting with a BCS assessment is a handy way to help you determine whether or not your pet’s weight is an issue.
To check your pet’s BCS, start by feeling around your pet’s ribs and waist. In the video below, U.K.-based veterinarian Zara Boland teams up with Nestlé Purina to show dog owners how to check their dogs’ BCS. (Similar assessments can be used for cats.)
Make It Personable
For those of us who are visual-type learners, My Konavore (a pet company) created an anthropomorphic comparison chart of body conditioning that corresponds between dogs and humans. Really hits home, huh?
Team Up with Your Veterinarian!
Your personal veterinarian is your best source of valuable information concerning pet weight loss, and your vet will be able to tailor a customized weight-loss plan for your individual dog or cat. Many veterinary clinics offer quick (and often free!) regular weigh-ins for easily (and economically) keeping track of your pet’s progress until he or she reaches the target weight set by your vet. Your veterinarian is trained to calculate your pet’s ideal weight, daily calorie needs, and weight reduction plan by taking into account your pet’s breed, age, metabolic rate, activity level, nutritional requirements, and any physical or internal ailments that may require careful monitoring throughout the weight loss process. In special circumstances, your personal vet in general practice may wish to contact a veterinary nutritionist, veterinarian who has specialized in animal nutrition, for additional advice.
Why can being too strict with my dog or cat’s regular diet be problematic?
If your pet is only mildly overweight, your vet may recommend that you simply increase exercise and slightly reduce the amount of commercial or homemade diet that your pet is being fed. However, for obese dogs and cats who have a LOT of weight to lose, a necessary reduction of their current diet may be too drastic to be healthy, so another option (such as a prescription weight loss diet – read below) may be advised.
Why can reducing your pet’s commercial diet too strictly be unhealthy?
Can unintentionally cause malnutrition and loss of lean muscle mass: The goal in any good weight loss routine is to reduce the excess amount of calories that your pet is consuming (and to increase the amount of calories burned off during exercise). The goal is NOT to also reduce the amount of good quality protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that your pet needs. If you restrict your pet’s commercial diet too much, you may also be depriving your pet of vital nutrients, leading to malnutrition and decreased muscle tone. Malnutrition and loss of muscling can be avoided with the use of a prescription weight loss formula.- Can lead to behavior problems: I don’t know about you, but I get HANGRY (“hungry-angry”) if I don’t get enough to eat! If your dog or cat doesn’t feel full, he or she may act out, chewing or destroying furniture, displaying aggression, whining or barking, trying to steal human food (some of which can be toxic), or eating out of the trash. Choosing a diet that is lower in calories but that still keeps your pet feeling satisfied (like a prescription diet) is the key to sticking with a weight loss routine with minimal consequences. (Along a similar vein, your pet should be eating 2-3 times daily during his or her weight loss protocol in order to stay fuller and reduce the chances of unwanted behavior. No once daily feedings during this time period!)
- Decreases activity and energy: If your pet isn’t getting enough to eat, he or she won’t have the caloric resources to be able to run and play.
Starvation can cause hepatic lipidosis (“fatty liver”) in cats. When a fat cat suddenly goes off food or has a drastic decrease in feedings, the liver goes into “starvation mode” and tries to use fat reserves as a fuel source to feed the rest of the body. However, since obese cats have so much fatty tissue from which to pull fuel, the liver becomes overwhelmed with the amount of fat it can use and becomes “clogged”. This can lead to sudden liver failure and can be deadly if not treated with a proper nutrition source.- Can suppress your pet’s immune system: If your dog or cat isn’t receiving the proper amount of nutrients needed to stay healthy, the immune system can weaken, making your pet more susceptible to various diseases and infections.
- Can lead to decreased metabolism (making weight loss more difficult) and rebound weight gain (i.e. your pet may eventually gain back all the weight he or she lost and maybe even more).
Why is a prescription weight loss formula beneficial?
A special weight loss diet prescribed by your veterinarian is formulated to be lower in calories without sacrificing good quality nutrients. You may be hesitant to purchase a prescription diet due to perceived extra cost. However, many pet owners (and their pets) have better success with a prescription diet and end up spending less money in the long run with such a formula due to quicker and more consistent results. Consult with your veterinarian to see if a prescription weight loss formula is right for your pet and which brand is recommended (there’s a lot on the market). Some brands even have weight loss treat options too!
If you are switching to feeding your pet a prescription diet, you should gradually transition over 7-10 days to allow your pet’s gastrointestinal tract to acclimatize to reduce the risk of GI upset.
Benefits of a prescription weight loss diet:
- Malnutrition is avoided because protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral amounts are adjusted to account for a diet lower in calories.
- Many weight loss-specific diets allow your pet to eat more volume while still reducing caloric intake, allowing your pet to feel fuller (for example 3 cups of a prescription diet may have the same calories as 2 cups of a reduced commercial diet).
- Some formulations include more fiber or water content to expand your pet’s stomach to make him or her feel more satiated (or full) despite consuming a diet lower in calories.
How much weight should my pet lose, and how quickly?
We don’t want an animal to lose weight too quickly for the reasons explained above. Gradual weight loss in a controlled fashion is advisable because it is more healthy. Your veterinarian is best equipped to calculate your pet’s body condition score and ideal body weight. Some vets may use the weight calculators provided by Pet Nutrition Alliance as handy aids (intended for use by veterinary professionals only).
Ideally, a dog should lose 1-2% of his or her body weight per week until the target weight is reached. Cats, on the other hand, should only lose 0.5-1.5% of his or her body weight weekly until the goal is met. Your vet may wish to weigh and reassess your pet every 2-4 weeks to make sure the current plan is working as intended. Once the ideal weight is reached, your vet will advise you on food brands and how much your pet should be eating to maintain this weight.
Weight Loss Tips
In addition to adhering to your vet’s plan to achieve weight loss in your dog or cat, implement these easy changes at-home to set your pet up for even greater success.
- Measure or weight out your pet’s food exactly as your veterinarian advised. Just a few more kibbles than recommended can provide your small breed dog or cat with way more calories than intended, preventing weight loss progress. Invest in a food scale or measuring cup (and remember a scoop of food is not always the same thing as 1 cup of food!).
- Ask your vet whether a wet (canned) food is a better option for your cat vs. a dry diet. Some cats may be able to maintain a healthy weight while eating wet food due to the higher moisture content of the food helping them feel fuller for longer. Some wet food formulas may help improve kidney health as well!
- Change your pet’s feeding routine.
- Stop free-feeding your dog: If your dog always has a full bowl of food on which to nibble at any time, consider sticking to strict feeding times 2-3 times daily instead. This will limit snacking and consuming an unnecessarily high amount of calories.
- Cats are a bit trickier. Kitties are naturally programmed to eat multiple mini-meals throughout the day. Yet instead of offering free access to large amounts of food, consider using Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder™. (Learn more about this fantastic product below!)
- Scatter-feeding: If you have a safe backyard, consider scattering dry kibble to encourage your pet to walk around and get some exercise during meal times.
- Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) explains scatter feeding and other weight management tips on their website (www.caninearthritis.co.uk).
Food toys (also called feeding toys) are tools to keep your pet mentally engaged and physically motivated while eating. Click here for a list of The Meowing Vet’s favorites!- Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder™ (previously called the NoBowl Feeding System™): Learn more about this novel feeding system for cats, created by veterinarian Liz Bales, in our article or directly on Doc & Phoebe’s website (www.docandphoebe.com). This product offers a multitude of health benefits in addition to weight loss.
- Stop free-feeding your dog: If your dog always has a full bowl of food on which to nibble at any time, consider sticking to strict feeding times 2-3 times daily instead. This will limit snacking and consuming an unnecessarily high amount of calories.
- Cut down on the treats or swap for low-calorie treats: For optimal weight loss, treats should only constitute less than 10% of your dog or cat’s daily calorie requirement. Treats can quickly add up in calories and pack on the pounds. Click here for low-cal treat options.
Get more exercise.
- Fun pet toys: Doggies and kitties love toys as much as kids do! Click here to visit our The Meowing Vet’s Shopping page for ideas for great pet toys that’ll entertain you and your dog or cat!
- Sign up for flyball classes with your dog if this sport is suitable for your dog’s physical level. It can be a great bonding experience for the two of you!
- If your schedule is too busy to allow for proper dog walks, consider hiring a reputable dog walker or taking your dog to doggie daycare: great for socialization, great for exercise!
Read more about The Meowing Vet’s pet weight loss tips with our previous article on fun and easy ways to help your dog or cat drop the pounds.
For further information, check out Better Pet’s article on pet obesity.
Success Stories!
Need a good before-and-after tale to encourage you in your pet’s weight loss journey? Tune into My Big Fat Pet Makeover on Animal Planet! (Aired September 30, 2017, in the U.S.)
The Meowing Vet hopes our article has motivated you to help your dog or cat get fit and healthy! If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, ask your local veterinarian for a body condition assessment and a personalized fitness plan for your poochy pooch or flabby feline today!
– Maranda Elswick, DVM
