Obesity Fact Sheet:

What is obesity?

Obesity occurs when your pet exceeds its ideal body condition by 15% or more. Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in the dog and cat and it becomes more common as our pets age. Females are more prone to becoming obese than males and spaying or neutering can make your pet more prone to becoming overweight.

How do I tell if my pet is obese?

The most practical way of evaluating your pet is to check the amount of fat over his or her rib cage. Place your hands on your pet's ribcage with your thumbs on his back. If the ribs are easily felt, your pet is most likely at an appropriate weight. If the ribs are difficult to feel, you pet is likely to be overweight. You should never be able to see the ribs. If you have any questions regarding your pet's body condition, you should consult with your veterinarian to establish a weight loss plan and to rule out other diseases that could cause your pet to appear overweight prior to enforcing a diet.

What are the causes of obesity?

There are many factors that affect obesity including: heredity, breed, reproductive status, sex, endocrine disorders (i.e. decreased thyroid function), and age. Other, more controllable factors include: overfeeding, exposure to highly palatable foods (i,e. table scraps and treats), and lack of exercise. The most common cause of obesity in dogs and cats is overfeeding and it is important to note that overfeeding puppies and kittens predisposes them to obesity as adults.

Are there health risks associated with obesity?

YES! Overweight dogs and cats are far more likely to suffer from problems such as joint disease and arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, mellitus, respiratory disease, and increased risk from anesthesia and surgery.

How do I prevent or treat obesity?

Overall, obesity can be a very frustrating problem to combat. Here are a few recommendations you can follow to help your pet lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle:

1. Diet: If your pet is currently overweight, the first step would be to switch him or her to a "light" pet food. These diets typically have fewer fat and calories and higher fiber content than regular maintenance diets. If you have tried feeding a light pet food to no avail, then your pet should probably go on a prescription weight loss food. Prescription diets for dogs are typically very low in fat and calories and very high fiber. Examples of diets for dogs include: Hill's W/D, Hill's R/D, and Purina OM. There are two types of diet foods available for cats, those that are high in fiber (W/D, R/D, and OM) and those that are high in protein. High protein diet options for cats include: Purina DM and Hill's M/D. Your veterinarian can help you in deciding when it's best to place your pet on a prescription diet and which diet to choose.

2. Portion Control: Make sure to follow the feeding guidelines outlined on your pet's food bag. Always make sure to use a 1 cup measuring cup so that you can be sure you are measuring out the food appropriately. If your pet is used to "grazing" throughout the day, you can figure out your pet's daily requirements and then offer 1/2 of that amount in the morning and 1/2 in the evening.

3. Treats: One of the biggest mistakes that clients make is offering their pets too many treats. Jerky treats and milk bones are rather like getting a candy bar with every treat. Instead, you should try offering healthy alternatives such as baby carrots, snap green beans, ice cubes, apple wedges, plain rice cakes (with no salt or sugar added), or even just 4-5 of their daily allotted kibble per day. It is important to remember that even too much of a good thing can be bad so still offer these healthier threats in moderation. Please stay away from grapes, onions, and macadamia nuts as they can be toxic.

4. The "Green Bean Diet": Most dogs do enjoy green beans as a treat. As you decrease the amount of kibble that your dog is used to eating, he or she may act more hungry. You can offer either frozen green beans or no salt added canned green beans along with your pet's meals. This will help to add filler to your pet's diet and allow your pet to feel more full without ingesting too many calories. In general, 1 can of green beans is equivalent to approximately 1 cup of dog food. Therefore, if you decrease your pet's food by 1/2 cup, then you can offer 1/2 can of green beans instead.

5. Exercise: Exercise is key in a good weight loss program. Dogs should be walked 1-2 times daily and any sort of play activities (i.e. ball chasing) should be encouraged. Cats should be encouraged to play at least 15-20 minutes daily. Laser pen lights and feline flyers are good cat toys that may help to encourage your pet to play. Please be careful with laser pen lights and avoid shining them in the eyes.

6. Weight loss in cats: You should be cautious about rapid weight loss in cats because it can cause severe liver disease. In general, a weight loss plan of about 2 pounds in 6 months is relatively safe. Please do not decrease your cat's meal portions too quickly (i.e. try decreasing the amount of food per meal by about 10% every 2 weeks until you reach the portion established by your veterinarian).

In conclusion, obesity is a disease and we should do our best to work as a team to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The greatest kindness to your pet is keeping him or her at a healthy weight for life. Thank you very much for entrusting your pet to our care. It is our goal to help provide both you and your pet with the happiest and longest life possible. Please feel free to call anytime with your questions or concerns!

~ The Doctors and Staff of Leesburg Veterinary Hospital