The dangers and causes of dog obesity

Obesity is mainly caused by overnutrition and lack of exercise.

Homemade feeds are more likely to make pets fat than professional feeds. Obese dogs are prone to circulatory and respiratory diseases. Their tolerance for exercise and resistance to infection may also be reduced. Obesity in dogs can cause diabetes, liver disease, arthritis, allergies, skin diseases, etc. Obesity in cats can lead to urinary disease, diabetes, liver disease, and make grooming more difficult, which can lead to skin disease. Moreover, veterinarians will encounter a lot of inconvenience when conducting routine examinations and diagnoses on obese pets. They are at higher risk for complications during anesthesia and surgery, and are more likely to have wounds that collapse after surgery.

Some pets are not seasonally obese, but they also need to lose weight as they grow older. Generally speaking, at some point in life, obese animals enter a voracious phase and eat more than their bodies require. Energy intake results in the deposition of fat and weight gain. During the subsequent phase of appetite quiescence, fat is preserved, but body weight remains relatively stable even when appetite is normal or even decreased. This condition can confuse some pet owners and make it difficult to understand why their pet is overweight without overeating. If dogs and cats are overweight from infancy, they often become obese as adults because overeating during the growth period causes an irreversible increase in the number of fat cells, and adult pets increase the size of these cells. Obese puppies will develop the habit of begging as adults.

How to tell if a pet is overweight?

Some dogs and cats are very obvious about being overweight, while others are more difficult to identify. Body weight is a useful indicator, and an animal is generally considered overweight if it exceeds 15% of its normal ideal body weight. The standard weight of purebred dogs can be an effective basis for determining the "ideal" weight, but it does not necessarily apply to crossbreeds. Most healthy cats weigh between 3-5 kilograms, but some cats with larger frames, especially castrated male cats, can weigh much more.

In a normal animal, you should just be able to feel the ribs under a not too thick layer of fat, and when looking from top to bottom you should see a distinct "girdle line" behind the rib cage. Obese animals have no waistline because the layer of fat beneath the skin thickens. Cat fat usually accumulates in the groin to form an "apron." Obese dogs and cats have bloated bellies due to the accumulation of large amounts of fat in their abdomens. Your veterinarian will differentiate between obesity and other factors such as pregnancy, ascites, or enlarged abdominal organs.

Dog weight loss plan

Consult your veterinarian

In treating obese animalsBefore embarking on a weight loss program, a physical examination by your veterinarian should be requested. Your pet may need medication. This is an underlying condition that causes weight gain. Veterinarians use tools to determine if your pet is obese.

Determine goals

Understand the ideal weight your pet should have. Remember, the initial weight goal you want to achieve can be your ideal weight or a 15% reduction from your current weight.

Eating Plan

Weight loss can be achieved by controlling the energy content of food. For this reason, you can use commercially available low-calorie pet food, or reduce the original food intake. You should try your eating plan a few times before finalizing it. The chosen feeding program should be followed for a minimum of two weeks, with further reductions in feed based on results.

This dog weight loss program is designed for 12 to 14 weeks. Daily calorie intake equals 40% of target body weight. Cats should consume 60% of their calories to achieve target weight and lose weight in 18 weeks. Never adopt an overly strict weight loss program for your cat, as this can be potentially dangerous or even fatal. Divide food into two or three small portions each day. This will reduce hunger and allow every meal to be consumed. During the weight loss phase, your pet will definitely feel hungry. No matter how pathetic begging is, don't give in! This principle should also be explained to your friends and neighbors to convince them that this is what is best for the pet.

Weigh yourself regularly

The progress of your pet's weight loss plan should be carefully tracked. Weigh yourself once a week, preferably at the same time of day and on the same scale. Chart your weight changes over time to increase your confidence and motivation. Pay attention to the pet's expression and touch the fat layer in the body regularly. Consult your veterinarian regularly to determine if modifications to your weight loss plan are needed.

Participate in more exercise

Although it is impossible for most animals to lose weight through exercise alone, a gradual increase in exercise should be encouraged. Never force a severely overweight dog to exercise excessively, as this may put unbearable stress on the heart and lungs. Dogs that are 25% over their target weight should be taken for a slow walk every day. Be careful not to allow cats to obtain extra food through foraging in the wild, hunting, or begging from neighbors.

Prevent repeated weight gain

Once your pet reaches its goal weight, be careful to maintain its ideal weight. For dogs that are prone to obesity, it is best to feed branded food and pay attention to their weight in order to find the most suitable food. Rather than repeating the same mistakes and reverting to overfeeding habits, adjust your diet according to your activity level.