Nearly one-third (33%) of all adults in the United States are obese. Unfortunately, this same number now applies to our pets. Obesity leads to several diseases both in pets and people. Type II diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis are the most common weight-related disorders.

Diet and weight reduction are the key to ensuring that your pet lives as long and healthy a life as possible.

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as weighing 30% more than the ideal weight. With humans, this is fairly straightforward and can be determined by consulting weight and height charts. Dogs and cats are often diagnosed as obese by a combination of weight charts and body scoring.

A simplified form of body scoring follows:

Very Thin

• Ribs - Easily felt with no fat covering
• Tail Base - Bones protrude with no tissue between the skin and bone
• Side view - Severe abdominal tuck or “drawn” appearance
• Overhead View - Exaggerated hourglass shape

Underweight

• Ribs - Easily felt with no fat covering
• Tail Base - Bones are raised with little tissue between the skin and bone
• Side view - Abdominal tuck
• Overhead View - Significant hourglass shape

Ideal

• Ribs - Easily felt with slight (1/2”) fat cover
• Tail Base - Smooth but bones can be felt under a thin layer of fat
• Side view - Abdominal tuck
• Overhead View - Well-proportioned waist is present

Overweight

• Ribs - Difficult to feel with moderate (>1/2”) fat cover
• Tail Base - Some thickening or widening but bones can be felt under a moderate layer of fat
• Side view - No abdominal tuck or waist
• Overhead View - Back is slightly broadened

Obese

• Ribs - Difficult to feel under thick fat cover
• Tail Base - Thickened and difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat
• Side view - Fat hangs down from the abdomen and there is no waist
• Overhead View - Markedly wide

If my pet is overweight, will their behavior change?

Most overweight or obese pets are less active and do not play as much as normal pets. These pets may be reluctant to climb stairs or jump into cars and often pant excessively after very minor exertion.

What is the cause of obesity?

Obesity is the accumulation of excess energy stored as fat. It occurs when your pet receives more calories then he needs and expends. Hypothyroidism is another cause of obesity and weight problems. Any overweight pet should be tested for hypothyroidism before beginning a weight loss program.

I had my pet neutered. Do you think this caused the problem?

It is very unlikely that neutering caused your pet’s weight problem. There is no scientific research that concludes that neutering causes obesity in dogs.

My pet can’t be obese because they only eat a small amount of food every day.

Obesity often develops insidiously. We think we are feeding our pets only small quantities of food but tend to forget the treats and table foods. These treats add calories and result in weight gain. Even a few calories can add up over time.

What can I do?

With today’s advances in nutrition, weight loss has never been easier. Your veterinarian will design a safe and effective weight loss program to meet your dog’s lifestyle.

Encourage brisk, thirty-minute walks twice daily. Discontinue feeding table foods and treats and instead, offer carrots, broccoli or veterinary-approved low-calorie treats.

Most pets can lose weight if you adhere to these recommendations. Weight loss in pets and humans is made up of an interaction between reduced caloric intake (eating less) and increasing caloric expenditures (more physical activity). The great news is that weight reduction is about 60% diet and 40% exercise. Weight loss is often a matter of diligence and persistence. Remember that the reason you are doing this is to help your pet live as long and healthy a life as possible. Who knows, you both may benefit from this diet!