Pet Obesity - What's the BIG Deal?
Erin Hicks, DVM

As a pet lover, we may have a difficult time admitting that our pet is overweight. "But he looks so cute!", we might think. Unfortunately, this kind of attitude can land our pets in some major health trouble. We can help ensure longer, healthier lives for our pets just through weight control. Recent research has discovered that pets who maintain a healthy weight live almost 2 years longer than overweight pets!

Do you know your pet's body condition score? This is an objective assessment of a pet's proportions, which determines their ideal weight range. You may find examples of a dog BCS and a cat BCS online. Give it a try, and ask your family to join in. Then you can bring in your pet for a comparison. You might be surprised to learn that what you thought was a normal, healthy weight was setting your pet up for chronic weight-related problems.

Carrying extra weight around can lead to a variety of health problems over time. A very common one in both dogs and cats is arthritis. You might think that it's normal for older dogs to slow down on walks, or for cats to stop jumping on the counter, but those are common signs of arthritis pain. One of the most important aspects of preventing and treating arthritis is achieving and maintaining a pet in their ideal weight range. Extra weight puts extra stress on joints, and relieving that additional weight can make a huge difference in a pet's quality of life.

Another common joint problem associated with overweight dogs is a torn cranial cruciate ligament (sometimes called an ACL, a ligament in the knee). Overweight dogs put a lot of stress on their knee joints, and over time the ligament can rupture, leading to significant knee pain. This condition is correctable but requires surgery. Once one cranial cruciate ligament has ruptured, the other knee has an increased chance of rupturing too, especially if the pet remains overweight. Keeping your pet at their ideal weight range can minimize the risk of ligament rupture and the subsequent need for surgery.

Overweight pets, especially cats, have a dramatically increased risk for developing diabetes. Diabetes can be difficult to manage, requiring special diets and twice daily insulin injections with periodic re-checks and monitoring for complications of diabetes and insulin. Complications from diabetes can range from relatively mild urinary tract infections to serious problems such as permanent nerve damage or cataracts and subsequent blindness. You can help spare your pet and yourself from this disease by keeping them trim and healthy.

Overweight animals store their extra fat throughout their body. Certain brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as persian cats, pugs, or bulldogs have an increased risk of breathing troubles secondary to extra fat being stored around their airways. Due to their anatomy, they already do not have optimal breathing capabilities, and even a couple of extra pounds can exacerbate this issue, leading to animals incapable of normal activity or exercise. This makes weight loss more difficult to achieve, meanwhile leaving the pet in danger of respiratory distress.

Did you know that every pound of fat requires an additional mile of blood vessels? That can put a huge strain on an overweight pet's heart! Optimal weight promotes optimal heart health as pets age.

Finally, overweight animals are predisposed to skin problems and infections. Extra skin folds trap moisture, allowing normal bacteria and yeast on the skin to proliferate and lead to an infection. Overweight cats have difficulty grooming themselves and can end up with dry skin, skin infections, and a matted coat.

If you are concerned about your pet's weight, please schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. We can determine your pet's ideal weight range and formulate an individualized plan to achieve that weight. We are here to support you and your pet in transitioning to a healthier lifestyle to help your pet live a longer, happier, and healthier life!