Americans love spending quality time with their special furry friends. According to Forbes, 66% of US households (nearly 86.9 million homes) own a pet. But, even though having a pet is common, one thing they miss is taking proper care of them. People bring pets home but fail to care for them, as pet vets advise. Due to this, health concerns such as obesity are rising in pets.
Obesity is a growing concern for humans and their furry friends. Like in humans, pet obesity occurs when an animal’s body weight exceeds its ideal weight by 20% or more. This condition is a severe health concern for pets, leading to various health complications such as joint problems, diabetes, and heart diseases. In this blog, we’ll look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for obesity in animals.
Symptoms of Obesity in Animals
Obesity is easy to spot and by excessive body fat. You can quickly tell if your pet is overweight by feeling the ribs. If you can’t feel their ribs when you run your hands along their sides, your pet is likely overweight or obese. Other symptoms of obesity in animals include:
Difficulty breathing or painting after minimal exertion
Reduced energy levels and reluctance to exercise
A waddling speed or difficulty getting up
Excessive thirst and urination
Reduced mobility and agility
Skin problems and hair loss
Causes of Obesity in Pets
The leading cause of obesity in animals is an imbalance between the number of calories burned and the number of calories consumed. Like humans, pets can become obese due to overeating and lack of exercise. However, other factors that contribute to obesity in animals include:
Breed: Some dog breeds, including Labradors, Beagles, and Basset Hounds, are more prone to obesity than others.
Age: Older pets are more likely to be overweight or obese due to slower metabolism and reduced activity levels.
Gender: Female animals are more prone to obesity than males.
Neutering: Activities like Spaying or neutering your furry friend can reduce its metabolism and boost the risk of obesity.
Medical problems: Some medical issues, such as hypothyroidism, can cause animals to gain weight.
Treatment of Obesity in Animals
The good news is that pet obesity is manageable and even reversed with proper care and attention. Here are some weight-loss suggestions for your pet:
Provide a balanced diet
There are several healthy diets and brands to choose from, but it's best to start with a consultation with our veterinarian about the optimal diet depending on your pet's condition. The calories in pet treats can add up quickly. You can cut small pieces of pet-friendly fruits and vegetables as treatment alternatives for tasty snacks with fewer calories.
Make exercise essential and entertaining
Our pets are naturally active. Of course, a pet's energy level varies by breed, but a single 30 to 60 minutes is a good start for an optimal household; a healthy lifestyle helps everyone. In addition, doing entertaining activities with your pet makes it more fun for everyone.
Consult with a Veterinarian
Getting your pet's weight under control is worthwhile. However, it takes time, effort, and discipline from the pet owner (and family). Helping your pet maintain a healthy weight can prevent several health problems in the future. Therefore, it is essential to consult with our Cabbage town veterinarians before changing your pet's diet or lifestyle.
Conclusion
Obesity is a significant health problem in cats and dogs, and successful weight control has many benefits. However, weight loss is challenging, especially for most obese animals. Nevertheless, vets can make the most of currently available weight loss strategies by better tailoring the weight loss program to the individual, especially by setting a realistic target weight.
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