Dog Obesity

It is increasingly common for dogs to be at body weights above what would be considered a healthy body weight for the breed and its age. If a dog exceeds the weight excessively, the dog may be considered obese. Dog obesity comes with an array of potential health problems, similar to humans. The standard definition for whether a dog is obese is if they are 30% or higher above what is deemed to be a normal body weight for that type of dog. Obesity for pets can worsen arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other degenerative conditions.

Cat Obesity

The percentage over healthy body weight criteria is lower when diagnosing cat obesity – 30%. Cats often have a more sedentary lifestyle contributing to their obesity compared to dogs, and metabolic conditions may also make it harder for cats to avoid weight gain. Obese cats are more prone to developing diabetes, which is a serious health problem for either pet type. Owners of cats at a healthy weight should be able to feel but not see their pet’s rib cage when touching their chest area, with the abdomen tucked up behind the ribcage.

Pet Obesity Prevention

The most straightforward way to prevent a cat or dog from becoming obese is to avoid overfeeding and ensure they live an active lifestyle. Pet obesity prevention may be more challenging if the animal has an associated metabolic or glandular condition that predisposes them to gain weight. However, maintaining a moderately overweight status is often achievable. Preventing obesity is especially important if the dog or cat is starting to show signs of hip dysplasia.

Obesity Treatment

The same approaches listed above for prevention – diet changes and exercise – will be the first part of a vet’s recommendation for obesity treatment. If these standard approaches to pet weight loss aren’t working, a veterinarian may recommend trying a dog weight loss medication. However, since Slentrol (Dirlotapide) was discontinued, this approach is less common. Most veterinarians encourage pet owners to focus on weight loss through improved diet and increased activity levels.