Pet Obesity
Just like the rest of us, pets are gaining weight in staggering numbers. It is estimated that at 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are obese. Sadly, the same health problems arise for pets as they do for humans.
Some of the problems are:
- heart disease
- liver disease
- diabetes
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- many kinds of cancer
- joint issues such as arthritis and spinal disc problems
- increased surgical and anesthetic risk
- decreased quality of life
- Pet obesity can also dramatically shorten the lifespan of a pet.
Why Pets Gain Weight
- With age, their metabolism slows down. Keep an eye open for signs of weight gain after the age of five.
- Spay and neutered animals tend to gain more weight than non-neutered dogs.
- Lack of exercise/ decrease in activity level
- Genetics and breed dispositions (Cocker spaniels, beagles, shelties, dachshunds, schnauzers, bassets, and pugs are particularly high risk.)
- Social environment
- Physical environment
- Food availability and palatabilty
- Increase in caloric intake
- Medications
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cushing's Disease and other medical conditions
- Owners
What You Can Do
Fortunately, there are measures to either reduce symptoms of obesity-related illnesses or prevent them before they start. You can schedule an appointment to see a doctor about your pet's overweight/ obesity problem. During the exam, the doctor will determine the severity of the problem and recommend a treatment plan. We also provide you with on-going care and guidance when you resolve to make your pet's life healthier.
Keeping your pet trim and healthy is a lifelong process. You can stop in at any time and have your pet weighed. We will note it in their chart so that we can follow their progress. This should be done once a month or as recommended by the veterinarian. Don't underestimate the healthcare risks to your overweight pet. Don't delay-- schedule an appointment today to determine the right course of action to improve your pet's health.
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