Obesity - Factsheet

Proper weight means more than just a good looking body!

A dog or cat that is carrying too much weight is imposing problems on the internal organs.

The most common problems are:

more arthritis
less mobility
impaired liver function
diabetes (especially cats)
less efficient breathing and more panting
heat stroke (especially in short-nosed dogs like Cavaliers, Pugs and Boxers)
development of fatty growths (lipomata)
reduced life span

Too many Calories!

Mature dogs and cats do not need to as many calories as a puppies and kittens. They only need enough for normal exercise and to repair body tissue. Yet commercial diets are designed for the younger animal so the food that would have been used for growth and repair gets converted to fat instead. That fat is then deposited throughout the body.

Medical reasons

It is generally know that neutered dogs tend to put on weight. This is because the metabolism slows down after the operation and is associated with lower circulating thyroid hormone levels. A dog that already has low thyroid activity will be especially affected by this slow-down in metabolism and this can then become a clinical condition which may need correction by giving thyroxine supplement.

There are other medical conditions that can lead to fatness so a veterinary check-up could be a good idea, particularly if you have already tried a diet food without success, or if you notice an increase in thirst.

Approach to Weight Reduction

There are two angles of attack: To reduce the number of calories given (i.e. Dieting), and to burn up the calories faster (i.e. Exercise). Dieting in humans is notoriously difficult. The same applies to dogs and cats. Simply reducing the amount being fed will not work:

Dogs feels hungry and will start to scavenge;
Cats are fussy eaters and won't take to low calorie and low protein diets.
The reduction in food also leads to a reduction in the amount of essential nutrients being absorbed;

Successful dieting needs perseverance!

Monthly weight checks should be done so that the decrease can be plotted and any lack of success can be investigated in case there is a medical problem.

What to feed

In cases of moderate 'plumpness' a switch to a lower calorie version of the normal food is all that will be needed. Look out for foods called light or less active. For severe cases (over 25% overweight) then a prescription diet is needed

Prescription diets

There are two available that we use at this practice, and they work in different ways.

Hills r/d ® is a high fibre diet; Pedigree Calorie Controlled Diet ® is light in texture, and thus fills the stomach.

Both of these diets contain the correct amount of vitamins and minerals, thus avoiding the chance of 'binges' that are common with humans.

When to feed

When your body gets hungry it alerts the brain and you go looking for food. You then eat what you need to restore your blood sugar level. This applies regardless of whether you are fat thin or in-between.

With plump animals therefore, when they feel hungry they go and eat. Cats in particular will be used to grazing food throughout the day and night.

To 're-programme' the body to look for calories from within, rather than from the food bowl, they have to come across an empty bowl now and again!

So with all diet foods only put the food down for a set period, usually twice a day. The weight reduction occurs in the intervening periods!

Exercise

Moderate exercise is good for humans, dogs and cats. It encourages calories to be burnt off from fat reserves.

Dogs should be allowed reasonable walks, but do not suddenly begin long hikes. The extra weight being carried will damage the bones and ligaments. Start off gently.

Cats can be encouraged to exercise by playing with balls and string, and chasing shadows, say from waving a torch about.

The Weight Clinic

This is run by the nursing staff and involves a regular weigh-in. An appointment is not always necessary, and it only takes a couple of minutes.

Every three months a short consultation is scheduled to check progress and to address any problems, either for the dog or the owner!

If weight does not go down then a blood sample may be taken at this stage to rule out thyroid problems.

The programme runs for at least six months, by which time about half the weight loss should have occurred.