Obesity a Nutritional Disorder

Both cats and dogs, just like humans can have health problems if they are too fat. The respiratory and cardiovascular systems and other major organs may be adversely affected in overweight animals.

All animals deserve and should have a complete and well balanced diet to fulfill their nutritional requirements and remain in good health. Your veterinarian should be consulted about your pet�s body condition and weight. Individual animals may require different diets and types of food. The veterinarian will be able to help you determine the desired correct weight for a particular animal and breed. By your monitoring the animal�s weight, adjustments can be made to avoid an overweight cat or dog.

Weight Problems & Your Pet

Obesity, malnutrition, overweight, corpulent are some of the words describing a serious and rising problem found in our human population as well as with our furry companions. It is reaching epidemic proportions as the number one nutrition-related disease and it is estimated that up to 40% of dogs and 25% of the cats are obese and overweight. Research into the causes and the ways to solve the problem is gaining attention. Check with your veterinarian as to whether your cat or dog is overweight and if so how to take corrective action. It is equally important for all pet owners to know how to keep their pets in good condition thereby avoiding the development of obesity.

Why do pets gain too much weight? Usually the reason is because the balance between calorie intake and body needs are out of proportion. Too much food, not enough exercise! Pet owners look into those beautiful sad begging eyes and can�t resist giving them an extra treat, letting them have the table scraps, or even preparing home cooked meals for them.

How do I know if my pet is overweight? Some animals are obviously obese, but if the problem is not severe, owners may not be aware until a health problem arises. The quickest and easiest way to evaluate your pet is by looking and feeling. For dogs and cats; no sagging abdomens and you should be able to feel the individual ribs but not see them; for dogs a clearly defined waistline behind the rib cage and be able to feel the shoulders without fat getting in the way; for cats when looking from above and the sides you should see a straight line. If you can grab a handful of fat, it is time to assess your pet�s weight and think of a solution.

Causes of Obesity

Inappropriate Diet: The balance between the amount and type of food consumed is out of sync with the amount and kind of exercise for the particular dog or cat. Calories can be reduced for an animal in two ways: feeding your pet less of its' current food or by feeding it a special low-calorie high-fiber diet. If your pet begs for extra tidbits during throughout the day, think about dividing the main meal into 2 or 3 meals fed spread through the day. Different breeds of dogs and cats will require different amounts of calories just as they will react differently to an exercise program. Know your own animal - the desired weight for the breed and the age of the animal. Regular exercise of walking and playing with your pets will help burn up some excess calories.

Endocrine imbalances may play a part in the development of an obese animal. Thyroid and pituitary glands malfunctioning may lead to obesity. Neutering of a pet may alter the hormonal balance of an animal which in turn causes reduced activity and changes in metabolism.

Pet�s personality - A laid back placid relaxed animal is more likely to gain pounds than a cat or dog with lots of nervous energy to burn.

Inappropriate diet, endocrine imbalances and the individual pet�s personality all may contribute to an overweight obese animal. By carefully watching and controlling food intake and increasing exercise, weight can be controlled. Throughout the animal�s life, just as with humans we need to continually adjust the amount of food we consume in line with the usage of the calories we take in.

Problems of Overweight Animals

Weight Control Suggestions