Maintaining a healthy weight is a challenge. Domesticated cats and dogs have a more difficult time controlling their weight than their wild ancestors, mainly because they are less active and often have unlimited access to food. In addition, pets often suffer from various health conditions that make weight loss tough. 

Despite the difficulty of helping maintain your furry pal’s ideal body condition, doing so is important for their health, happiness, and wellbeing. To illustrate the importance of striving to keep your pet at a healthy weight, our Alpine Animal Hospital team explains pet obesity, the condition’s causes and health effects, and how you can prevent your pet from packing on the pounds.

What causes obesity in pets?

Myriad reasons can cause a pet to become overweight or obese, but unbalanced caloric intake and expenditure are the prime causes. If your furry pal is too heavy, consider the following factors:

  • Poor diet — Feeding an incorrect diet for your pet’s life stage, activity level, and health status can result in weight gain. For example, feeding your senior dog a diet formulated for puppies will likely cause significant weight gain because puppy food is high in calories and fat content.
  • Improper portions — While a gravity feeder ensures your pet’s bowl is never empty, your furry pal may take advantage of the limitless buffet by overeating. Using anything other than an actual measuring cup or kitchen scale to portion your pet’s meals correctly can result in excessive caloric intake.
  • Inadequate exercise — Dogs and cats are natural athletes and are designed to be active. Without ample exercise opportunities that enable them to perform their instinctive behaviors, such as climbing, scratching, digging, or running, your pet can quickly pack on the pounds.
  • Genetics — Some breeds and bloodlines are prone to weight gain because they have a slow metabolism, are predisposed to endocrine disorders, or simply have a natural tendency to gain weight.
  • Age — Metabolism often slows with age. Often various health issues compound an older pet’s sluggish metabolism, making them more likely to develop conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.

What are the consequences of obesity in pets?

Obesity leads to more problems than causing your furry pal to walk slower or refuse to leap onto the couch. When a pet carries too much weight, a host of health issues can occur. An overweight or obese pet can also suffer from poor mental and emotional wellbeing, as they are unable to perform everyday tasks and play like they once could. A pet who is overweight or obese has an increased risk for developing the following conditions:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Liver disease
  • Respiratory issues
  • High blood pressure
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Chronic skin infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Weakened immune system
  • Heatstroke
  • Shortened life span
  • Some cancers

How can I manage my pet’s weight?

The key to managing your pet’s weight is to follow a plan that you can maintain for the long run. When designing your pet’s weight-management plan, consider the following:

  • Choose a well-balanced diet — A diet that is correctly balanced for your pet’s life stage and health needs will help them feel full while ensuring they receive essential nutrients. Specific diets are available for weight loss, extremely active pets, or for general health and wellness.
  • Measure correct portions — Filling your pet’s food bowl to the brim is easy, but if your furry pal eats every morsel, they’re likely consuming way too many calories. Rather than refilling your pet’s bowl when it’s empty, or scooping in a random amount, measure correctly portioned meals. Calculate the number of calories your pet needs each day, then divide that amount into two or three meals. To ensure your pet is receiving their essential amount of food, use an actual measuring cup or kitchen scale to portion your pet’s meals.
  • Limit treats — When calculating your pet’s daily caloric requirements, set aside 10% of those calories for healthy treats. Rather than giving your pet treats high in calories, fat, and sugar, offer fresh fruits and vegetables. Small chunks of raw apple and melon, and steamed sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, and carrots provide tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help support your pet’s immune system and overall health.
  • Increase enrichment opportunities — Giving your pet the opportunity to express natural behaviors, such as digging, scratching, or exploring, not only satisfies their need for mental stimulation, but also for physical activity.  Install climbing towers and scratching posts for your feline friend, and let your dog dig through the sandbox in the yard in search of toys.
  • Schedule a health assessment — Partner with your Alpine Animal Hospital veterinarian, to monitor your pet’s weight-loss progress and overall health. If the number on the scale fails to move after weeks of diligent dieting and exercising, your four-legged friend may have a metabolic condition that only your veterinarian can detect through a comprehensive health assessment.

Successful weight management can be challenging, especially if an underlying health issue is compromising your pet’s weight-loss progress. If your furry pal is not losing weight as steadily as they should, schedule an appointment with our Alpine Animal Hospital team, so we can determine whether an underlying condition is hindering their progress.