Is My Pet Fat?

I’m sure we’ve all either made these excuses ourselves, or heard others make them. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that obesity in our pets is becoming a real problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Weight management is one of the most important factors in your pet’s overall health. In fact, keeping your pet at a healthy weight throughout their life actually increases their life expectancy! It also reduces the risk of many health problems such as diabetes, heart complications, mobility issues, hormonal imbalance and even cancer.

What is a Healthy Weight?

How can you tell if your pet is at a healthy weight? While there is no magic number to indicate the “right” weight for your pet, there is a way to figure out their “optimal” weight. Determining whether or not your pet is at a healthy weight is based on the following criteria:

1. From above, does your pet have a discernible waist? You want to be able to see a bit of an “hourglass” figure, not an apple!
2. From the side, does your pet’s belly tuck up nicely? You want to see a slight narrowing of the abdomen, and the absence of a poochy belly!
3. Are you able to feel the ribs and spine with a light touch? You want to be able to feel them without pressing too firmly, but not actually see them.

What Does This Mean?

If your pet passed each of these tests, congratulations! You pet is at a healthy weight, so keep on doing what you’re doing, it’s obviously working well!

If you are still unsure about your pet’s weight, you are always more than welcome to pay us a visit here at the clinic. Bring your pet in so that we can get a weight on them and assess their body condition ourselves.

If your pet struggled on these tests, they are likely overweight or *gasp* obese. Typically, a pet that is 15% over their optimal weight is considered to be obese, and this should not be taken lightly. The first course of action to get your pet down to a healthy weight is to visit your veterinarian. After a physical exam to make sure there is no underlying cause for the extra weight (such as a thyroid problem), your veterinarian will be able to give you a target weight for your pet and may even recommend a prescription food, such as Hill’s r/d or Purina Veterinary OM, that is both low in calories and high in fibre. Your vet will also discuss with you what the healthiest rate of weight-loss would be for your pet – too much weight-loss too quickly could be just as bad for your pet as being overweight is, especially when it comes to our feline friends!

What Can I Do?

According to Canada’s Pet Wellness Report, the most common mistake that pet owner’s make in regards to their pets’ health is – you guessed it – overfeeding. Simply measuring your pet’s food and restricting their number of treats per day can make a huge difference in the battle against the bulge! Once diet is under control, the next step to a healthier pet is exercise. The Wellness Report also found that on a weekday, the average owner spent only about 1/2 – 1/3 the amount of time playing with and exercising their pets as they did watching T.V. or surfing the ‘net. Imagine what a difference swapping a half-hour sitcom for a walk with your dog could make for both of you!

Weight management can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. When it comes to food and treats, portion control is key. Supplement that with extra playtime and exercise, and getting your pet down to a healthy weight is easy! For additional information regarding weight control, diet and/or tips for exercising your pet, please give us a call today at 905-846-3316. Your pet will thank you for it!