Nutrition Matters

Weight management for cats and dogs.

Did you know that more than 50% of pets are considered overweight or obese?

A recent study showed that pets who are at their healthy weight live an average of two years longer! Because so many pets are overweight, many people believe their pet is at a healthy weight when it is actually much heavier than desirable.

Signs Your Pet is Overweight

If any of these signs sound like your pet, use this chart to determine your pet’s risk of developing painful or life-threatening conditions.

  • Is it difficult to feel her ribs or spine?
  • Is it difficult to see your her waist?
  • Is her abdomen sagging?
  • Does her face look more round with larger cheeks?
  • Often appear tired and lazy?

  • Hesitate when jumping onto furniture?
  • Have difficulty grooming properly?
  • Have matted hair on the back or tail area?
  • Resist playing games?

  • Lag behind on walks?
  • Pant constantly?
  • Need help getting in the car?
  • Bark without getting up?

  • Is it difficult to feel her ribs or spine?
  • Is it difficult to see your her waist?
  • Is her abdomen sagging?
  • Does her face look more round with larger cheeks?
  • Often appear tired and lazy?
  • Hesitate when jumping onto furniture?
  • Have difficulty grooming properly?
  • Have matted hair on the back or tail area?
  • Resist playing games?
  • Lag behind on walks?
  • Pant constantly?
  • Need help getting in the car?
  • Bark without getting up?

Obesity Health Risks

Joint disease is one of the most common health effects of obesity. The excess weight adds extra strain to joints and ligaments, worsening pain and making it harder to move around. Obese pets often have trouble going up stairs, jumping into cars and beds, or simply going for a walk.

Does your dog huff and puff on walks or your kitty gasp and wheeze after playing? Excess body fat can increase pressure on your pet’s lungs and interfere with normal function. When expansion of the lungs is restricted by fat in the chest cavity, the lungs have to work harder to provide oxygen, which can result in shortness of breath.

Does your dog or cat seem to have less energy? Those extra pounds may be putting a strain on your pet’s heart. Obesity can be associated with high blood pressure, or hypertension which, just as in people, can lead to a variety of complications.

Excess body fat makes surgery more challenging for the surgeon, hindering access to internal organs and tissue, thus, prolonging the procedure which, in turn, increases the risk of complications associated with anesthesia. For these reasons, elective surgery is sometimes postponed until weight loss.

Have you noticed you dog isn’t as interested in chasing after a ball or your cat now sleeps 23 hours a day instead of just 20? Those extra pounds can slow your pet down, often due to a combination of the conditions just listed. Owners whose pets have lost weight reported noticeable improvements in their pet’s energy level and willingness to play.

Obesity Health Risks

Joint disease is one of the most common health effects of obesity. The excess weight adds extra strain to joints and ligaments, worsening pain and making it harder to move around. Obese pets often have trouble going up stairs, jumping into cars and beds, or simply going for a walk.

Does your dog huff and puff on walks or your kitty gasp and wheeze after playing? Excess body fat can increase pressure on your pet’s lungs and interfere with normal function. When expansion of the lungs is restricted by fat in the chest cavity, the lungs have to work harder to provide oxygen, which can result in shortness of breath.

Does your dog or cat seem to have less energy? Those extra pounds may be putting a strain on your pet’s heart. Obesity can be associated with high blood pressure, or hypertension which, just as in people, can lead to a variety of complications.

Excess body fat makes surgery more challenging for the surgeon, hindering access to internal organs and tissue, thus, prolonging the procedure which, in turn, increases the risk of complications associated with anesthesia. For these reasons, elective surgery is sometimes postponed until weight loss.

Have you noticed you dog isn’t as interested in chasing after a ball or your cat now sleeps 23 hours a day instead of just 20? Those extra pounds can slow your pet down, often due to a combination of the conditions just listed. Owners whose pets have lost weight reported noticeable improvements in their pet’s energy level and willingness to play.

Losing weight is not easy but, with time and commitment, you can help your pet get back in shape. Even a small amount of weight loss can have a dramatic effect on your pet’s health, improving quality of life and reducing the risk of serious health problems.

Unfortunately, dogs and cats aren’t known for their self-restraint. Generally, if you present them with food, they are going to eat it. Check out our blog on how to help get your pet motivated for weight loss while not making them feel like they are being punished! Weight Loss