Medical doctors are quick to point out that obesity in humans is unhealthy and serious. They follow their narrative with a myriad of diseases, conditions and added risks for those carrying excess weight. The risks are real. The diseases can be deadly. Whether we heed the advice or not, is up to us…
While many people do take their own health and weight loss seriously, many pet owners still believe that chubby cats and portly pups are ‘no big deal’. American celebrity veterinarian Dr Ernie Ward, author of the book Chow Hounds (2010), says that owners who view their pet’s extra kilograms in this way are greatly underestimating the potential health threats. Just a few extra kilograms may damage your dog’s vital organs. For years, Dr Ward urged the veterinary industry to recognise animal obesity as a complex, chronic disease, as human obesity was recognised as such in 2013.
The 2018 National Pet Obesity Survey, conducted by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), revealed that 50 million dogs and 56 million cats in the United States were considered overweight to obese. No exact figures exist for South Africa, but vets say that about half the patients they see are overweight.
Medical viewpoint
Dr Heidi Schroeder, a small animal specialist physician, says that in response to the growing number of overweight and obese animal patients, obesity was recognised as a disease in pets by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in June 2019. The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) followed in September 2019.
“I totally agree that pet obesity be classified as a chronic disease, as the clinical signs and possible complications fall into the definition of a disease,” said Dr Schroeder. “This new classification of pet obesity as a chronic disease should make veterinarians and pet owners more concerned about the dangers of obesity in pets and more proactive in preventing obesity. There are many serious consequences for a pet who is overweight or obese.”
Why are our pets too fat?
Pets who weigh up to 15% more than their ideal body weight are overweight, while those over 15% more are considered obese. To equate this in human terms, one could say that a 3.6kg Chihuahua (1.8-2.7kg is ideal for the breed) is equivalent to a 1.65cm adult female weighing 87.5kg with a body mass index (BMI) of 33.2. BMIs for humans should be under 25 for a healthy weight.
Holistic veterinarian, Dr Jane Fraser, says obesity in pets, like in humans, is driven mainly by unwise food choices and lack of exercise. “This may be compounded by processed diets containing high levels of carbohydrates and poor-quality ingredients,” explains Dr Fraser. “This could be compared to the fast foods so often eaten by people. A sedentary lifestyle and little or no exercise all contribute to weight gain.”
She says pet owners need to start reading package labels and learn more about ingredients. “Processed pet foods and treats have numerous ingredients that are high in calories and often contain sugars, which can easily become addictive,” cautions Dr Fraser.
Many pets are overfed because their owners aren’t sure how to read the daily requirements printed on the back of the pet food bag, or don’t realise they need to reduce the kibble amount if treats are offered. Dogs who receive table scraps also gain weight due to the additional energy – and human food isn’t healthy for them anyway.
If you’re following a healthy diet, you wouldn’t eat a full meal between meals. When comparisons are made of the energy content of the treats we give our pets, it seems that we may be feeding them a feast at snack time. See the box ‘Treat or feast’.
Food ≠ love
Psychologist Colleen Johnson says that if your pet is overweight or obese, it’s important to look at the situation in a personal context. “Do you equate food with love, or do you overfeed your pet at night because you feel guilty for leaving him during the day?” she asks. “Do you feel guilty for allowing him to gain weight and now you’re afraid to face your vet?”
Food doesn’t equal love and we are killing our pets by trying to be too kind. “Only you can make the change for your pet,” says Colleen. “If he continues to gain weight, his health will only deteriorate further, costing you money in the long run and possibly even your pet’s life.”
Other causes
Overfeeding and a lack of exercise aren’t the only causes of obesity. Medical conditions and some medications may also cause weight gain. Certain breeds and female dogs can be more predisposed to weight gain.
“Older dogs are less active, have less energy and require fewer calories, which is why diets are formulated per age group,” explains Dr Schroeder. “A neutered or spayed dog may also gain weight. Clinical studies have shown that the basic metabolism of neutered dogs is lower, and they require fewer calories. There are diets especially formulated for neutered and spayed dogs and cats that can help to prevent obesity in these pets.”
Slimming down
Nicola Booth, practice manager at Orange Grove Veterinary Hospital and facilitator of the practice’s pet slimming clinic, says that the first step for pet owners is a visit to your vet for a body condition assessment.
Step 1: Assessment
“We use a chart to show the pet owner what to look for,” says Nicola. “For an ideal weight, when viewed from the top, your dog or cat should have a waist and you should be able to feel his or her ribs if you run your hands over his sides.” Your vet will assess your dog and determine how much weight he needs to lose. A complete examination may reveal an underlying health issue that could be contributing to weight gain but, in most cases, the pet will respond to a weight-loss programme.
Step 2: Diet change
Most vets advocate food designed for weight loss. You can’t just halve your pet’s regular food or radically change his diet. Food designed for weight loss has fewer calories but still contains all the essential macro- and micro-nutrients your pet requires for good health.
“The amount indicated on the bag of food is the amount to feed per day,” explains Nicola. “If you feed two or more meals per day, you’ll need to split the recommended amount. Always weigh your pet’s kibble. You can’t judge it correctly with your eye, as cup sizes do differ.”
Step 3: Exercise
Nicola says that she always cautions pet owners not to head straight into high activity for any dog or cat who may be overweight or obese. “I always tell our clients that, when your dog starts to lose weight, he’ll feel better and naturally become more active,” she says.
As weight loss progresses, you can start adding extra activities at home. “Mental stimulation is very rewarding for a dog and will exhaust him more than a walk around the block,” says Nicola. “Teach him something new – it’s great fun for him and you’ll both benefit from spending more time together.”
Initially, you may need to use treats to get him interested in the activities but, as you progress, switch to a toy reward, your voice (offer plenty of praise) and physical affection (if your pet enjoys that). Cats respond to movement, so use a feather wand or toys to get them moving.
Health problems linked to obesity
- Poor quality of life
- Shortened lifespan
- Osteoarthritis
- Anaesthetic risk
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart and lung disease
- Breathing difficulties
- Inflammation
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Urinary incontinence (dogs)
- Decreased liver function
- Increased risk for cancer (mammary, bladder, rectal, etc.)
- Pancreatitis
- Skin disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Kidney disease (cats)
- Bladder and urinary tract disease (cats)
- Inability to groom, resulting in skin conditions (cats)
Tricks for treats
Treats can be high in kilojoules, but there are ways to cut back on the energy while still treating your pet.
* 10% rule
Treats can make up around 10% of your dog’s or cat’s daily kilojoule intake. Reduce his kibble by 10% and replace this with treats of the same kilojoule value. Look at the nutritional value of the food or ask your vet.
* Try kibble
If you need treats for positive reinforcement training, use kibble from the allocated meal quantity. If you offer high-value treats (like biltong, bacon or cheese), you’ll need to feed less at mealtimes.
* Think fruit and veg
Your dog doesn’t know the difference between biltong and banana. He may favour the meaty taste of biltong, but he can learn to enjoy low-calorie fruit and vegetables! Offer carrots, broccoli, bananas, pumpkin, blueberries, mango or watermelon (no seeds). Not all human foods are safe for dogs, so check before you offer them to your dog. Some foods to avoid include grapes, raisins, avo, onions and tomatoes.
* Pass the popcorn
Air-popped popcorn contains no added butter or salt and makes a great low-kilojoule treat for your dog. It can also be used inside treat toys. Supervise your pet when he enjoys popcorn. A little popcorn is fine for cats too, but can be a choking hazard for small kittens.
Treat or feast?
It may be a snack for you, but it could be a whole meal for your dog. This comparison is based on a small breed dog and a person of average height and weight.
- 2 biscuits = 2 cupcakes with icing.
- 30g block of cheese = chocolate bar (100g).
- 2 strips of bacon (80g) = 4 doughnuts.
By: Gina Hartoog
