In the United States, your pet’s obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs and cats. In 2018, it was estimated that 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the United States were overweight or obese, making it the eighth consecutive year where there has been an increase in pet obesity. While a lot of pet owners go to focus on their new year’s resolution, why not focus on your pet’s obesity problem in the year ahead?
Excess weight can negatively affect the health of pets everywhere. Obesity places your pet at an increased risk for several health problems. Some of these include diabetes, respiratory problems, hypertension, liver disease, increased risk of tumor development, joint disease, lowered immune system function, and even a decreased life expectancy of up to 2 years. Furthermore, it was originally thought fat was a mostly inactive tissue that only stored excess energy calories and added to the body mass, but lately, scientific studies have discovered that it is biologically active. The fat secretes inflammatory hormones and creates oxidative stress on the body’s tissue, both of which contribute to this increased risk of disease.
What to do About Your Pet’s Obesity
Once obesity has been identified, it is very important to adjust feedings and calorie consumption. It is not desirable to simply decrease the volume of their current food, however. This can lead to malnourishment over an extended period. It is important to feed with a nutritional product that overall contains lower calorie density yet maintains appropriate nutritional value. Consulting your veterinarian to rule out underlying disease, establish a plan and find the best scientifically formulated nutritional products to assist in weight loss can help your pet stay healthy in their journey.
To stay on top of your pet’s health, it is important to schedule annual wellness exams to assess their overall health, monitor weight, and establish optimal dietary plans to maintain or reduce weight.
If you ever have any concerns about your pet’s weight or overall health, you can schedule an appointment at 513-506-1030, or email us at independencepet@gmail.com. We are always happy to help and care for your pets!
