As pet owners, most of us see our dogs and cats as members of the family. Like any family member, health is a priority. However, when the spoils of food and treats go unchecked, it fuels weight gain more than the reward itself. The incidence of pet obesity is rising, resulting in an increase in obesity-related health problems. Here are several facts about pet obesity that may be eye-opening in your quest to ensure that your furry companion lives a long, happy, and healthy life.
Incidence of Pet Obesity
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reported in 2018 that 59.5% percent of cats and 55.8% of dogs were overweight or obese. These values continue to trend upwards from previous surveys, and are currently at the highest numbers to date. If you cannot feel your pet’s ribs easily or see their waistline, it is time to take your pet in for a veterinary visit. This healthy weight calculator may help to put your pet’s body condition into perspective.
Obesity-Related Health Problems
Carrying around excess fat and body weight can cause a variety of problems throughout the body. The extra weight places unnecessary strain on joints and can exacerbate arthritis or mobility issues. Obesity is also associated with diabetes, respiratory distress, heart disease, pancreatitis, and cancer in pets, just as it is in people. Perhaps one of the most notable problems is that obese pets have shorter lifespans than pets that maintain healthy body weights.
Financial Implications of Obesity
If pet obesity goes unchecked, these serious medical conditions can take a lot of time and money to control. For instance, diabetes in cats and dogs requires lifelong management. Between the cost of insulin, syringes, physical exams, and monitoring bloodwork, management costs over $1,000 per year. Left untreated, costs skyrocket if diabetic ketoacidosis occurs. Arthritis and mobility problems often require prescription pain medication and monitoring blood work to keep a pet comfortable, which can cost several hundred dollars annually. The occurrence of pancreatitis can necessitate hospitalization that costs into the thousands. At first glance, obesity doesn’t look like an expensive disease, but the hidden costs can add up dramatically.
Awareness of Obesity
Recognizing that a pet is obese can be a challenge for many pet owners because seeing overweight and obese pets has sadly become normalized in society. Without further knowledge, it’s easy to assume that these rotund animals are “normal.” Both studies and anecdotal evidence have shown that pet owners underestimate their pet’s body condition.
Exercise Requirements
Obesity is not purely an issue of overfeeding. Pets need exercise to maintain both their physical and mental health. For most dogs, 30 minutes of exercise per day is sufficient with a mix of walks and games of fetch. Short bursts of exercise throughout the day works best for cats. Games that engage their predatory instincts, such as chasing a laser pointer or feeding them with a puzzle toy are often the most successful.
Treat Calories Count
Maintaining a healthy body weight ultimately involves striking a balance between calories that are consumed and calories that are burned. The challenge is that it’s easy to forget those little treats that are given every time you walk out the door or the snacks given while you’re sitting and relaxing. The calories consumed with treats or table scraps need to be accounted for, or a pet will inevitably gain weight. Treats should compose no more than 10% of a pet’s overall calorie intake, so work with your veterinarian to calculate the amount of calories that your pet should consume each day.
Pet obesity is on the rise, but attention given by many organizations, veterinary clinics, and caring owners like you may be enough to start getting those numbers in check. Take your pet to their veterinarian for regular wellness exams and be sure to discuss your current diet and exercise habits. If your pet is overweight, start a weight loss plan under your veterinarian’s guidance that increases exercise, closely monitors food intake, and decreases the waistline. The goal is to keep your dog or cat at a healthy body weight so they can live out a long, full life in your company.