Take a closer look to determine obesity in pets
According to a 2015 study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 54 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the United States are overweight or obese. Even more alarming is that, according to the same study, less than 10 percent of pet owners recognize that their cat or dog is overweight. Pet obesity is a significant problem among veterinary patients and can have serious consequences.
There is no doubt that obesity negatively impacts your pet’s health and quality of life. It is associated with impaired mobility and pain secondary to joint disease and increases your pet’s risk of heart disease and diabetes. Obesity is linked to asthma, allergic diseases and certain types of cancer, and can shorten your pet’s lifespan.
How do you know if your pet is overweight? There is more to obesity than just a number on the scale — you need to feel and look at your pet to determine if he’s overweight. You should be able to feel, but not see, his ribs as you gently glide your hands along the sides of his chest. He should have an hourglass figure when viewed from above and a tucked up waist when viewed from the side. There should be no waddle of belly fat when he walks.
Take your pet to the vet
Bring your pet to the vet for an exam and weight check. A Body Condition Score (BCS) will be assigned based upon your pet’s appearance and helps to determine what your pet’s body weight should be. An ideal BCS is 4-5 out of 9; each number above 5 correlates to being 10 percent overweight. A BCS of 8 or above (30 percent or more overweight) is considered obese.
Screen to stay lean
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and can be your partner in treating and preventing pet obesity. Ask your vet to screen your pet for diseases that cause obesity, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), as well as diseases that can be associated with obesity. If one of these diseases is detected, have your vet develop a treatment plan for your pet.
Plan for success
Your pet’s veterinary team can calculate the daily caloric requirements to achieve ideal body weight and will come up with a diet and exercise plan to safely reach this goal. A special diet for weight loss may be prescribed. Once a weight loss strategy has been developed, check in with your vet every two weeks to make sure you’re staying on track.
Show the love
For any diet plan to be successful, we must change our attitudes toward food. For many, food is love; we give treats to show our affection, but this idea of love is literally killing our pets. Instead of doling out treats, take your dog for a walk. Spend time and engage with your pet to build a more meaningful relationship.
Will work for food
We also must change the way we feed our pets. Leaving out a bowl of food is like an all-you-can-eat buffet; it’s easy to see how that would cause a pet to pack on the pounds. Offer your pet his meal in a food puzzle or food dispensing toy. You can hide small portions of your cat’s food around the house to stimulate her hunting instinct.
Oct. 7 was National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. If you own a pet, there’s a good chance he’s overweight. Partner with your vet for a healthier, happier pet!
More about pets
Dr. Hope Jankunas is the owner of Companion Pet Hospital with locations in Fishkill, Beekman and Carmel. Visit www.companionpethospital.com; call 845.896.4830 or follow CPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/companionpethospitaloffishkill