Did you know that over half of domestic dogs and cats are overweight or obese? Obesity is a huge problem for our animal companions, but it isn’t always taken as seriously as it should be. Fluffy and Fido are quite cute, and they do look rather adorable if they are a bit pudgy. However, those extra pounds come with a steep price. Read on as a local Waterdown, ON vet offers some insight into pet obesity.
What Dogs Are Prone To Obesity?
It’s probably safe to say that all of our canine buddies are quite fond of food and treats. Fido isn’t going to turn his cute nose up at a piece of bacon, and he won’t hesitate to take one for the team if you drop a burger or meatball on the floor. But while any dog can become obese, the condition is more common in certain breeds.
The list of chubby pups is as follows:
- Labrador Retriever
- Pug
- Beagle
- Golden Retriever
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dachshund
- Basset Hound
- Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Rottweiler
- Border Terrier
- Boxer
- German Shepherd
- Scottish Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Chihuahua
- Newfoundland
- Shih Tzu
- Bichon Frisé
- Border Collie
- Saint Bernard
- West Highland White Terrier
How Will I Know If My Dog Is Obese?
In some cases, it’s easy to tell if Fido is overweight. If your canine pal looks like a potato with ears, legs, and a tail stuck onto him, well, you may have a chonker on your hands. However, while it’s quite obvious that an extremely round pooch may be obese, it isn’t always as easy to tell with dogs that are fluffy or just heavy set in general.
As far as weight goes, your furry pal would be considered overweight if he weighs more than ten percent over his ideal body weight. Once Fido is over 20 percent over, he’s officially obese.
As far as what that ideal body weight number should look like, it’s going to very much depend on what breed your dog is. There’s a huge range here. A Newfoundland male may weigh as much as 81 kgs, while a Chihuahua may weigh as little as 2.7. If your pooch is a purebred, you should be able to find the information by looking up the breed standards.
Of course, many dogs—including the vast majority of our patients—are mutts. There are other methods you can use to figure out if your pet weighs too much. Body weight score charts can give you a pretty good idea.
Another way to sort out if your canine buddy is too big, too little, or is just right is the ‘rib’ test. Try and feel your pet’s ribs. If you can feel them under a thin layer of muscle and fat, Fido’s probably in decent shape. If they are protruding, your pooch may need to gain some weight. If you can’t feel them at all … your furry pal is probably obese.
Of course, your veterinarian Hamilton ON is going to be your best bet for info and advice here.
What Cat Breeds Are Most Prone To Obesity?
Breed doesn’t always factor in as much with cats as it does with dogs. This is partly because it’s more common for people to have mixed-breed kitties. Cat breeds also don’t have as much variation in size as dogs do. There are a few exceptions here: the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat are definitely bigger than many of their smaller buddies. On the other end of the scale, the itty-bitty Munchkin cat isn’t very large at all.
That said, here’s the list of kitties that tend to be a bit chubby.
- British Shorthair
- American Shorthair
- Exotic Shorthair
- RagaMuffin
- Birman
- Sphynx
- Maine Coon
- Norwegian Forest Cat
What Are The Risks Of Obesity?
Extra weight can cause all sorts of health problems with pets, just as it can with people.
Here are a few of the main concerns:
Skin Problems
Chubby pets are prone to developing skin folds, which can be havens for oil, bacteria, dirt, and dander. This can cause skin irritation and, with fluffy pets, hair matting, both of which are quite uncomfortable. It can also lead to skin infections, which can become very painful and very dangerous. Cats that are overweight often have a hard time grooming themselves.
Respiratory Problems
Obese pets are also at much higher risk of developing respiratory issues. If Fido or Fluffy are overweight, their lungs will have to work harder. This also increases the risk of specific issues, such as collapsing trachea and laryngeal paralysis. Chubby pets also run out of breath pretty quickly when running or playing.
Heat Intolerance
All pets are at risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion when temperatures climb. As a general rule of thumb, any time it goes over about 80 you’ll want to start taking precautions, such as setting out extra water. Pets that are overweight or obese are at particular risk.
Osteoarthritis
This one isn’t particularly surprising. Extra weight turns into extra strain on pets’ bones and joints. That additional stress can increase your furry bestie’s risk of developing bone/joint issues, such as osteoarthritis.
Heart Disease
Obesity is closely linked to heart disease in humans. It’s no different with pets! Your furry buddy’s heart will have to work harder to keep blood flowing properly if your pet is obese. That extra wear and tear will definitely take a toll.
Reproductive Issues
While we generally customize the advice we offer to our clients, one thing we generally would recommend is getting your furry friend spayed or neutered. This will not only help prevent unwanted litters, but also helps prevent or reduce many behavioral issues. Plus, pets will have reduced or eliminated risks of developing many illnesses.
That said, we do understand that some people want to breed their pets. There are some wonderful and conscientious breeders out there. Obesity can definitely increase the risk of complications with pregnancy and delivery. Ultimately, those risks can endanger the life of not just the puppies or kittens, but also of the mother.
Those are just a few of the key risks. Others include the following:
- Diabetes,
- Liver And Kidney Issues
- Lowered Immunity
- Kidney Dysfunction
- Metabolic And Endocrine Issues
- Pancreatitis
- Shortened Lifespan
To make matters worse, obesity can quickly become a downward spiral. As pets pack on extra pounds, it will become harder and harder for them to stay active. As they become less active, they’ll continue to gain weight.
Ask your Waterdown, ON vet for more information.
How Do I Help My Pet Lose Weight?
There is both good and bad news on this one. The good news is that you can quite easily control your pet’s caloric intake and their exercise regime. You want to get some solid, customized advice from your pet clinic in Waterdown ON. Find out how much your pet should be eating, and also ask for advice about the type and amount of exercise they should be getting. Fido and Fluffy can’t really get themselves a snack from the fridge or order a pizza. They can, however, ply you with sad stares and other tactics. You may need to steel yourself!
Pay close attention to portion control. Even just giving your pet a few extra calories a day can lead to weight gain. Making sure that your pet has lots of toys is also important. For dogs, you’ll want to get some advice on a good doggy workout regime from your vet.
Finally, limit treats. It’s fine to give Fluffy and Fido a snack, but try to limit treats to about 5 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Make An Appointment At Our Waterdown, ON Animal Clinic
Do you have questions about your pet’s diet or care? Are you looking for a great veterinarian in Hamilton, ON? Please feel free to contact us, your pet hospital. We’re here to help!
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