Obesity in Pets

Last week we took Abby, our 16-month-old cat to the vet for her yearly checkup and we discussed Abby’s weight. Our cats Abby and Sammy were fed “free choice” which means food was always available to them but it is the biggest single factor contributing to feline obesity. Sammy is an ideal weight, but Abby is clearly overweight. We decided to monitor Abby’s food intake and the vet told us how much each cat should be eating to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It has been a bit of an adjustment for them not having food available at all times, but it is in their best interest to keep their weight within a healthy range. Overweight pets are at a higher risk for health problems like heart disease, respiratory ailments, weak joints and other problems. It is just as dangerous for a pet to be carrying extra weight as it is for a person.

To reduce the overweight or obese pet’s weight, a program of diet and exercise should be introduced. It is important to visit a veterinarian as the doctor can determine whether the pet’s weight problem is simply due to high caloric intake or some other medical concern like diabetes. The vet can also give you the best suggestions about diet and exercise. Many brands of pet food on the market are specially balanced to help pets lose weight.

We decided to keep Abby and Sammy on the same food as before, but they will be given a specific amount three times a day. The vet suggested twice a day, but I am a softy and decided to offer it one additional time. Our cats do not receive treats so that is not a problem for us, but with other families, it should be a family decision as to what the pets eat and when and everyone should be on board. Feeding a cat or dog extra treats or table scraps will not be doing the pet any favors.

For dogs, exercise is an important component of the weight loss program. A dog that does not get enough exercise may gain weight and most dogs love to exercise by nature. The overweight pet may be reluctant at first, but gradually increasing the playtime or walks will help the dog adapt to the new program. With Abby and Sammy, we are playing with them more and bought a few new toys to encourage activity.

People do not get to their ideal weight overnight when dieting and neither will a pet. Remember that they did not put on those extra pounds all at once and they will not come off that way either. It may take between ten and twelve months to reach their ideal weight goal, depending upon how much extra weight must be lost.