If your dog’s collar is feeling a little tight, or the cat door has become a cat squeeze, your pet may be overweight. According to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention, pet obesity affects 50 million dogs and 56 million cats—more than 60 percent of the U.S. pet population. Unfortunately, pet obesity is more than a little extra fluff—it can shorten a pet’s life by up to 2.5 years. 

Help your overweight pet return to their former glory with this five step guide from Narcoossee Oaks Animal Hospital. 

#1: Determine your pet’s ideal body condition

Your pet’s weight assessment is more than a number on the scale. Instead, veterinary professionals rely on a visual and physical assessment, which is then compared to a body condition scoring (BCS) chart. You can perform the same assessment at home to determine your pet’s current condition: 

  • Can you feel each rib? — Ribs should be easy to feel, without applying pressure. If you cannot easily distinguish your pet’s ribs, a significant fat layer is present.
  • Can you see a waist-line? — Evaluating your pet from above, and from the side, should reveal an hour-glass shape, with a gentle inward curve after the last rib. 
  • Does your cat have a round belly? — Rib palpation is not always as reliable in cats, who carry more weight in the abdomen. 

Routine at-home assessment can help you detect early changes in your pet’s weight. Also, seek a veterinary assessment at Narcoossee Oaks Animal Hospital before complications arise. 

#2: Help your pet by visiting the vet

To safely and effectively lose weight, your pet must be pain- and illness-free—from conditions such as arthritis or orthopedic injury—which makes a veterinary examination vital before any diet or exercise change. Your Narcoossee Oaks Animal Hospital veterinarian will assess your pet’s overall condition and perform lab work, to look for any medical causes for your pet’s weight, including hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or fluid retention. 

Painful conditions, such as hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, and arthritis, may require medication or other therapies to relieve pain, and to improve comfortable mobility, until sufficient weight loss is achieved.

#3: Nutrition for overweight pets

Overweight pets commonly consume more than their needed daily calories, because of overfeeding, high-fat diets, or excessive treat consumption. While over-the-counter low-fat pet foods are available, many sacrifice quality nutrition for empty filler ingredients, and leave pets feeling ravenous. The body in this state enters starvation mode, and conserves rather than burns excess fat tissue. 

Veterinary diets are designed to satisfy your pet with healthy fiber, while burning calories and building lean muscle. Some foods actually work with your pet’s metabolism to accelerate weight loss. Your Narcoossee Oaks Animal Hospital  veterinarian will provide specific nutrition recommendations—including how much to feed—based on your pet’s age, physical condition, and health goals. Always measure your pet’s food, to prevent overfeeding.

#4: Treat your pet wisely

Treats should make up only 10 percent of your pet’s daily calorie intake, but that 10 percent can disappear quickly, if you select high-fat treats. Commercial pet treats and human table scraps are a common source for extra pet calories. For example, a one-ounce cube of cheese for a dog is equal to us consuming one and one-half cheeseburgers! 

If you can’t deny those begging eyes, put the following low-calorie options on your plate:

  • Air-popped and unsalted popcorn
  • Apple slices
  • Blueberries or raspberries
  • Green beans
  • Boiled chicken breast, chopped

Cats may enjoy cat grass, catnip, chicken, or low-fat, high protein treats. 

Treats can accelerate learning during training, but can pack on the pounds quickly. Rather than high-fat hot dogs or string cheese, try using your dog’s dry food during training, and adjust the following meal portion accordingly.

#5: Exercise your pet safely

To prevent injury and overexertion, overweight pets should be carefully reintroduced to daily exercise. Keep early exercises and activities low-impact (e.g., no running, jumping, or sharp turns) and short, as your pet will need time to develop stamina and strength. Explore activities that interest your pet, and initially focus on your pet’s wellbeing, rather than how many minutes, laps, or reps they’ve completed.

  • Walking for fitness — Walking provides the best low-impact workout, but a steady pace is necessary to achieve weight loss. Don’t let your dog sniff or wander until after your timed walking interval is complete. If your dog craves novelty, try a new park or nature area. The new sights and smells may motivate them to pick up the pace.
  • Hydrotherapy —Swimming or underwater treadmill walking provide a weightless, buoyant exercise environment. If your dog dislikes walking, try water exercise instead.
  • Interactive toys and food puzzles — Food-dispensing balls trigger the prey drive in dogs and cats, and require pets to move, chase, and paw at them to release the food.
  • Environmental enrichment — Make perches and hiding places accessible to your cat. Use pet ramps and furniture, to ensure they have safe access up and down. Introduce novel, but non-threatening, items, such as cardboard boxes and play tunnels, to encourage play and exploration. 

Food is an easy way to show our pets affection, but over time, the indulgent moments result in an abbreviated life with our pets. The next time you’re tempted to reward your pet, consider a non-food reward, such as playtime or snuggling. To schedule an appointment for your pet’s weight-loss evaluation, contact Narcoossee Oaks Animal Hospital.