OBESITY
Obesity exists when body weight exceeds the optimum for the individual pet by 15
percent or more. Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in the dog and
cat. It is estimated as many as 44 percent of all dogs and at least 12 percent
of all cats are overweight. Obesity is more common with advancing age and occurs
more often in females than males. It also occurs more frequently in neutered
pets.
SIGNS OF OBESITY
If you're not sure what your pet's optimum weight is, the most practical way of
evaluating your pet is to check the amount of fat over his rib cage. Place your
hands on your pet's rib cage with your thumbs on his back. If the ribs are
easily felt, your pet is considered to be normal weight. If you can feel fat
between the skin and ribs or the ribs are difficult to feel, your pet is
overweight. If the ribs cannot be felt, your pet is obese. In some pets,
particularly cats, a large abdomen that hangs down or protrudes to the sides,
indicates obesity. This judgement of your pet's weight status should be
confirmed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will rule out other medical
conditions that might look like obesity. It is important to confirm that your
pet really is overweight and not showing signs of heart, kidney or glandular
disease.
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY
Obese dogs and cats have a higher incidence of skeletal and cardiac problems,
diabetes, impaired reproductive efficiency and risks associated with anesthesia
and surgery. Most studies in human beings and animals support the concept that
obesity shortens life.
CAUSES
There are many factors that contribute to the develop ment of obesity, over
which we have little control. These include heredity, breed type, reproductive
status, sex and age. However, there are factors we can control and it's
important that we're aware of these. Factors involved in the development of
obesity include early ovenfeeding, exposure to highly palatable foods, physical
inactivity, and pregnancy, along with its psychological effects. Most obesity is
caused by the pet eating more calories than he expends. That's too much food,
too little exercise or both. Eating too much food is partly the result of the
attractive taste of today's commercial pet foods. However, the major cause is
supplementation with table scraps, snacks and other foods. The obese-prone pet
responds to particularly good-tasting food by eating beyond its requirements.
Reduced physical activity or exercise that is not matched by reduction in the
calories eaten, contributes to obesity, as does eating when bored or idle.
Neutering approximately doubles the occurrence of obesity in dogs and cats of
both sexes. Overfeeding puppies and kittens predisposes them to obesity as
adults by increasing their number of fat cells. Allowing them to become obese
during growth will often plague them with obesity throughout life.
TREATMENT
The treatment of uncomplicated obesity is to reduce the caloric intake while
increasing the energy output. This can best be accomplished by feeding a
high-fiber, low-fat, less calorie-dense diet. By using this approach, the pet
can continue to eat approximately die same volume as usual and achieve a
comforting sense of fullness. It is important to set goals for progress, require
periodic weigh-ins, and determine how much time the desired weight loss should
require. After a successful weight loss has been obtained, periodic checkups
should assist in maintaining the lower body weight. Weight loss will improve the
animal's appearance, health and also increase the animal's enjoyment and length
of life. Exercise may be inappropriate for pets in poor health, so be sure to
follow your veterinarian's recommendations.
HOME MANAGEMENT
By far the most important part of a successful weight reduction program is that
every member of the family is certain of the necessity of the weight reduction.
Your total commitment to achieving the weight loss is necessary, otherwise the
effort may result in frustration, wasted time, energy and resources. It's
essential that everyone cooperate to reach the agreed upon goal. Reduce your
pet's calorie intake by feeding a nutritionally complete low calorie, high fiber
diet specifically formulated for weight reduction. Divide the total amount fed
per day into as many as three or four meals. Keep the pet out of the room when
your food is prepared or eaten. This helps eliminate begging and feeding of
snacks. Do not feed with other pets. If your veterinarian recommends it,
exercise your pet regularly. Exercise is healthy and increases the chances of
success. Keep a record of your pet's weight, charting the weight over time.
Preferably, you should weigh your pet weekly, usually in the morning before
eating. Feed only the diet and the specific amount prescribed by your
veterinarian. Remember, your greatest kindness to your pet is to adhere to your
veterinarian's instructions. After successful completion of the program, your
veterinarian may perform follow-up exams to help prevent recurrence of the
problem. If you are unsuccessful at reducing your pet at home, hospitalization
may be recommended. This allows the veterinarian to determine why your pet is
not losing weight.
DIET RECOMMENDATIONS
Feeding less of a commercial diet which is not formulated for weight reduction
is not recommended. The reduced food intake won't satisfy your pet's hunger and
it may cause a vitamin, mineral or protein deficiency. The best diet for
reducing weight is a nutritionally complete and balanced, high-fiber, low-fat,
low-calorie diet, such as Prescription Diet~ Canine r/d® or Feline r/d®
dietary pet food. With a prescribed diet such as this, your pet can continue
eating the same amount of food, having the same feeling of satisfaction and
fullness and getting all the nutrients while eating fewer calories. Once you've
reached your pet's weight reduction goal, then your goal is to maintain this
healthier, optimal weight. Your veterinarian may recommend a reduced-calorie,
high-fiber weight control diet such as Prescription Diet® Canine w/d® or
Feline w/d® dietary pet food. These diets are useful for preventing the
recurrence of obesity and for preventing excess weight gain by obese-prone pets.
FEEDING DIRECTIONS
Follow the directions of your veterinarian when feeding any Prescription Diet
Brand dietary pet food. Most pets readily accept Prescription Diet dietary pet
foods. If your pet is one of the few that doesn't readily accept a new diet, you
may want to try warrning the canned diet to body temperature. For dogs, try
mixing the dry diet with warm water and waiting ten minutes before serving. Do
not use this method with cats, however. Another method that works well with some
pets is mixing the diet with your pet's fonner food, gradually increasing the
proportions over a 10-day period until only the new diet is being fed. Be
patient but finn with your pet. This is important because the success or failure
of the treatment depends to a large degree on strict adherence to the new diet.
However, cats should never go more than 48 hours without eating. If your cat
does not eat in two days, contact your veterinarian immediately! If questions
arise, don't hesitate to contact your veterinary staff. We are eager to assist
you in achieving a successful weight control program so we will be happy to
address your questions and concerns.