Obesity in Pets
Obesity is a major health issue for people and their pets. Obesity is now the most common form of malnutrition in cats and dogs. The lifestyles of our pets are becoming more sedentary, resulting in a high incidence of excessive weight gain. It is estimated that 25-35% of dogs and cats are overweight. Excess body weight has negative effects on health and is associated with numerous diseases seen in our pets. Overweight dogs have an increased risk of osteoarthritis, pancreatitis and mammary cancer. Overweight cats are prone to diabetes mellitus, musculoskeletal problems and lameness, non allergic dermatitis, lower urine tract disease and hepatic lipidosis.
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Studies show that dogs on restricted diets showed lower incidence of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hips and other joints. These dogs also lived longer before requiring medical treatment for osteoarthritis and lived significantly longer. When obese dogs with osteoarthritis had their diet restricted their was a significant reduction of lameness with weight loss.
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Prevention of obesity is the most important goal of feeding your pets. It is important to understand the correct food and quantity to feed to your pet based on their size and exercise regime. For further advice you can speak to an animal nutritionist or your vet.
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To make it easier to manage your pets weight you can record both body weight and body condition. Body condition scoring is a practical method for subjectively assessing the animal's body fat stores and muscle mass. To do this you will need to view your pet from side and the top too evaluate the waistline. You will need to feel over your animal and assess the feel over the ribs as well as feeling for fat and muscle mass.
By measuring your pet's body condition score you will be able to maintain their weight. If the animal becomes fat then food can be reduced and vice versa if the animal is too thin. When an animal becomes overweight the food intake should be reduced to allow a return to lean body condition and then fed to maintain the ideal weight.
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It is not just feeding that is important in maintaining your pets weight and health. An appropriate exercise regime will help to prevent weight gain. It is important to consider the breed and its exercise requirements. When buying a pet it is important to consider if you are able to meet the exercise requirements of that breed.
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When feeding an overweight pet on a weight loss programme a specially formulated diet can be fed. The generally have a reduced dietary fat content and increased fibre, air, or moisture content. Importantly they have increased protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals per calorie compared with standard adult maintenance diets. Attempting weight loss in a dog or cat by feeding a reduced portion of the usual diet will result in reduced intake of these essential nutrients and might result in deficiencies.
