Obesity in pets

Obesity has become a growing problem in both cats and dogs. Years ago, a pet lived off scraps from the table and spent most of its time outside. These days, pets spend more time indoors with their owners, have frequent feeds and tend to be given more treats. This coupled with a lack of exercise due to pet owners having busy lives and keeping their pets indoors has led to more and more pets becoming obese.

What are the dangers of obesity?
If your pet is overweight it is more likely to develop conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. Therefore it’s important that you realise when your pet is becoming too top heavy and you take steps to rectify the problem. This may mean adjusting food intake and increasing exercise.

How can I prevent my pet becoming obese?
Regular exercise is important for both cats and dogs. For instance, cats can be encouraged to chase balls and toys up and down the stairs in and around the house to help promote daily movement. Also a cat allowed outdoors with the use of a cat flap will exercise itself and be less likely to become lazy and overweight. Dogs can be taken for long walks, an activity which promotes the health of both the dog and its owner. They can also be encouraged to exercise through outdoor games such as fetch.A

s well as exercise diet also plays a key part. If you feed your pet a commercial diet there will be a recommended daily intake based on your pets age and size so read the packaging carefully for directions on how much to feed. Use kitchen scales to measure out the correct amount of food if necessary. Have set meals for your pet and don’t get into the habit of feeding them titbits between meals.

My pet is obese how can I get it back to a normal weight?
If your pet is already quite overweight, it may not cope with long walks or runs so gradually increase its daily exercise activity. Also, don’t make your pet exercise in hot weather instead choose a cooler part of the day. You could also try asking your vet for advice on veterinary prescription diets that can help you get your pet down to its normal weight. These are designed to help your pet feel full and are given in measured amounts to help your pet reach a target weight.