Pudgy Pooches and Fluffy Felines:  Obesity In Pets

By Rita Ruple, DVM
To be published in the Northeast Times, October 2008

According to studies released by the American Animal Hospital Association, 25% to 40% of the pet populations seen by veterinarians are overweight or obese.  It is a medical condition that is more common on an everyday basis and not always recognized by owners as a problem.  Many factors determine the weight of a pet such as genetics, exercise, and a big one – diet.  The cause of overweight pets and obesity can be from receiving too many calories than the pet is expending allowing the pet to gain weight.  Another cause of increased weight can be secondary to underlying diseases such as hypothyroidism (when the body produces too little thyroid hormone), hyperadrenocorticism (when the body produces too much steroid hormone), or insulinoma (a tumor that produces insulin). 

We love our pets and we want them to be happy.  One of the ways pet owners show their pet love is to feed them large portions of food, treats, and table foods because of the overwhelming response we get from our pet.  Yes, it is wonderful to see the enthusiasm our pet shows over a treat or foods, but we may actually be harming Fido or Fluffy by feeding them too much.  The pet food industry has become so commercialized - there are hundreds of pet foods and treats available to purchase at the store with colorful packaging and boasting to be great for your pet’s life, shape, age and even breed of animal!  We can create problems in our pets by feeding them various treats or table foods so much they will not eat regular dry pet foods.  This not only leads to weight gain, but imbalanced nutrition for our cat or dog.  The truth of the matter is that most of our pets would eat only dry kibble foods their entire life if that was all that we offered them and still be happy to see us everyday.

Just like people, overweight and obese animals are at risk for several health problems.  Heavier pets put strain on muscles and joints and lead to increased risks of limping, difficulties getting up from a resting position, degenerative joint disease (arthritis), ligament tears or trauma.  Other common health troubles noted in overweight pets include heart failure, difficulties in respiration, decreases in immune system, skin problems or infections, heat intolerance, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infections, and even cancer.

The first step in managing overweight or obese pets is to recognize they are too heavy!  Many people are in denial that their pets are too heavy or they simply do not see that they are overweight.  Your veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is overweight by physical examination.  It is important to realize it is not about the number of pounds your pet weighs, but rather their body condition.  Body condition scoring, or BCS, is a general system used by many veterinarians to estimate a pet’s body fat content, taking into account the pet’s frame size independent of body weight.  BCS is measured on a 5- or 9- point system.  The 5-point system uses a score to rate a pet’s weight (1/5 is too skinny/anorexic, 3/5 is ideal weight, 5/5 is obese).  The 9-point system is similar in ranking, only using more numbers on the scale (1/9 is too skinny/anorexic, 5/9 is ideal weight, 9/9 is obese).  Your veterinarian develops his/her body condition scores by palpating many pets, but you can also do a quick check at home.  An ideal weight pet should have ribs that are easy to feel but not seen.  From the side your pet’s abdomen or “tummy” should tuck upwards as it gets closer to the rear legs.  Looking at your pet from above, the chest should be full and your pet should have a noticeable waistline, like an hour glass shape.  If you are concerned your pet is overweight or you are told by your veterinarian that your pet is overweight, you should discuss these matters.  Your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork or other diagnostic tests to make sure your pet does not have an illness that could be contributing to weight gain or be a complicating factor secondary to weight gain.  Once underlying weight gain factors are eliminated, a proper weight loss program can be developed for your pet.

So your pet is a little chubby?  Where to go from here?  First any underlying diseases should be addressed if present.  Together you and your veterinarian can estimate what your pet’s ideal weight should be – remember this is not about numbers of pounds, but rather what condition your pet looks best in.  Your veterinarian may recommend losing a few pounds at first and re-evaluation of the pet.  Weight loss in pets should also be very SLOW and be done over several weeks.  Ideally your pet should be weighed every 2 weeks while dieting to monitor weight loss progression.

How do you get your pet to lose weight?  Diet and exercise of course!  These are two main factors that we can change easily in our pets.  Think about the lifestyle of your pet currently – most likely when you are away your pet is munching from the big bowl of food you left out for them or snoozing the day away.  Here are some simple tips to starting a successful weight loss program in your pet.

Diet is the first modification we can make.  If you are free feeding your overweight pet, this needs to stop.  Your pet’s weight loss will be more effective if you schedule feed your pet a measured amount of food twice a day.  Schedule feeding entails leaving a portion of your pet’s food out for only 20-30 minutes and allowing them to eat in that amount of time.  If they do not eat, pick up the food until the next feeding time.  It is ok for your pet to skip a feeding until they get used to this schedule – in fact, if they missed out on breakfast they will most likely be around for dinner!  Got multiple pets?  No problem.  Feed your overweight pet in a separate room or in a crate.  If you have one overweight pet in the house, you will need to implement a scheduled feeding time for all pets in the house for successful weight loss.  It doesn’t help to feed Fido separately only to have him scarf the cat food left out for Kitty.  In addition to scheduled feeding, you will notice that it says a MEASURED amount of food twice daily.  On occasion when asked how much food an owner is feeding their pet, the owner responds “Oh - a cup a day”, only to find out that cup is a 32 oz. Quick Trip plastic cup!  A proper measuring cup can help you know the appropriate portion to feed.  You can make feeding time fun by tossing your pet’s dinner in the yard to find (or over a sheet in a separate room to forage for in the house) or putting their meal in a busy ball or toy to paw or root out (even works for cats!).

The type of food and treats being feed should also be evaluated.  This is very important – NO MORE TABLE FOODS.  This can be very difficult if we are used to feeding our pets from our plates or the toddler throws their dinner on the floor to much enjoyment of the family dog.  Table foods are rich source of unneeded calories and can lead to gastrointestinal upset, foreign body obstruction or disease if fed in excess.  Treats, such as chews, biscuits or cookies should be given in moderation (maximum of 1-2 treats a day).  Better yet, your pet’s dry food may be substituted for treats – put aside a few kibbles from their daily portion to give as treats through the day.  Your pet should be placed on dry kibble only if possible and canned foods minimized or eliminated (Caution: some pets may require special diets and need to be on canned foods and this is ok – portion will be the key).  You may try reducing your pet’s current diet by 25% or changing over to a “reduced calorie”, “light”, or “weight management” version of your pet’s food.  If you do not achieve weight loss in 2-3 months with this method, your pet may need a prescription weight loss diet available through your veterinarian.  In obese pets, your veterinarian may elect to start your pet immediately on a prescription weight loss diet for better success.

Exercise is the second modification we can make to our overweight or obese pet’s lifestyle for successful weight loss.  Starting slow and working up to a regular routine is key.  For dogs, start with short 5-10 minute walks around the neighborhood.  If your dog gets along well with other dogs, encourage short play periods with companion pets.  Tossing a ball, frisbee, or other favorite toys for 10 minutes to encourage activity is another option.  If your dog likes water, swimming is a great, low impact calorie burning activity.  After a few weeks, you may see a difference in the length of time your dog can play without getting tired.  For cats, we can’t exactly walk them around the block or toss them in the pool for exercise so we will work with their predator side.  Every cat likes items they can stalk or pounce on – get Kitty off the couch with something they can chase like a string or small toy.  Feather wands or brightly colored strips of cloth become irresistible toys to bat or paw at.  Laser lights or small flash lights give Kitty something to chase as well.  Open paper shopping bags become tempting hideaways and are extra fun with a hidden toy inside.  Scratching posts and carpeted towers are great ways to work upper arms and shoulders – a little catnip can help encourage kitty over to scratch.  Toys don’t even have to be expensive – wadded up pieces of paper, empty cardboard boxes, shoelaces and milk caps turn into fun toys – just make sure you don’t leave out anything Kitty can swallow or get wrapped up in.