Weight loss tips for overweight or obese dogs and cats

You may think your pet is just a bit cuddly, but is your pet overweight or obese? The difference has staggering implications on their health.

How to tell if your dog or cat is overweight or obese

Overweight

An overweight a pet is up to 15% heavier than the optimal weight for species, breed, sex and age. An overweight pet will show an increase in fat over the ribs, a slightly rounded abdomen, flank folds hanging down with a moderate amount of fat visible and a noticeable jiggle when walking.

Obese

An obese pet is more than 15% heavier than the optimal weight. The animal’s ribs and backbone are not easily felt under a heavy fat covering. A rounded abdomen makes the wait less visible to absent, and prominent flank folds which sway when walking are evident.

Life limiting consequences of obesity in cats and dogs

Your pet may be at a higher risk of endocrine & metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism.

Overweight animals have less resistance to disease.

Extra weight in the abdominal area increases the risk of urinary tract disorders such as incontinence and urinary crystals.

The extra pressure on the skeleton increases the risk of orthopaedic disorders such as fractures, cruciate damage, intervertebral disc disease and degenerative joint disease.

Mammary and bladder tumours and other lumps and bumps may be more difficult to detect and fleshy skin folds and the inability to groom properly can lead to skin problems such as scurf, matted fur, pressure sores and dermatitis.

An overweight pet is at greater risk from complications related to cardio-respiratory disease including heat stroke, tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, airway obstruction syndrome and irregular heart rhythm.

Common diet fails when trying to help your pet lose weight

Light pet food and treats to help manage your dog or cat's weight

Safely slim your pet in 6 simple steps

1. Consult your vet

Before putting your pet on a diet, it is important to seek the advice of your veterinary surgeon. Some animals may be obese as a result of a medical condition, certain drugs or rare genetic defects, and therefore it is important to rule out clinical problems beforehand.

2. Don't crash

Regardless of how overweight your pet is, just like humans, cats and dogs should never crash diet, but instead make sustainable changes to the daily routine to promote long-term good health.

3. Safe rate

A 0.5-2.0% loss of body weight per week is generally safe for dogs. Cats should not lose more than 1% of body weight per week because overly rapid weight loss and / or a sudden decrease of food can cause a serious health condition called hepatic lipidosis. Many practices run free nurse clinics and will be able to help you to weigh your cat or dog, advise of your pet’s optimal weight and help you set smaller, achievable weight loss targets.

4. Gradual changes

Any dietary change (be it a new food or a change to the feeding volume) should be undertaken gradually. This will give the digestive system time to cope with any new ingredients and the new nutrient balance, thus helping to avoid digestive upsets.

5. Don't go hungry

Dramatic reductions in food are not recommended because your pet is likely to become very hungry and may start to exhibit antisocial behaviours such as begging and bin raiding.

6. Fitness goals

Although exercise is an important part of obesity management, care must be taken with very obese or unfit animals, particularly if these pets suffer from medical conditions related to their weight. Little and often is the way forward, so make sure you incorporate some time into your pet’s daily routine for exercise or physical fun and games as these are also mentally stimulating.

Need some help? Join our pet diet club

At Arden Grange we are committed to reducing the pressing issue of pet obesity through our Diet Club.

Benefits of joining our pet diet club

UK pet obesity is steadily on the rise and many dog and cat owners are receiving slapped wrists from their veterinary practice because of this. It is entirely preventable and we are here to help. The PDSA found that 5.7 million UK pets are fed treats daily, often including crisps, cakes, chips and even chocolate which is highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal! Furthermore, 2.4 million dogs and 1.5 million cats are fed table scraps and leftovers as their main meal, as opposed to a suitable pet food, providing them with crucial nutrients. We understand the damaging effects this can have on cats and dogs. Like us, if our pets snack frequently and rarely exercise, their weight quickly increases which often comes hand in hand with health implications.

How does it work?

Joining our Diet Club entitles you to free specialised and personalised advice from our registered Veterinary Nurse and holder of the Certificate in Canine and Feline Veterinary Health Nutrition, Ness Bird.

With over 25 years of experience, Ness will be with you every step of the way, ensuring the necessary steps are taken to get your pet back down to their ideal weight. After an initial assessment, Ness will formulate a plan, taking into consideration the required food and portion size needed for your pet. You'll receive valuable information about nutrition and diet to help your pet lose weight. In addition to this, your pet will receive certificates of achievement for reaching milestones in their weight loss journey and will have a chance to feature on Arden Grange's social media to celebrate their progress.

We recognise the importance of tackling the growing issue of pet obesity, so there is no cost to join the Diet Club. Whether you have been advised to make changes by your veterinary practice, or have noticed weight gain in your pet unprompted, we want to help.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO JOIN