A healthy pet is a happy pet, and as a pet owner it is your responsibility to keep an eye on your animal’s body weight and general condition. If an animal is in bad shape then it can have severe ramifications, so it is important to recognise the signs and take the right action when necessary.

Understanding obesity

Obesity is defined as gross excess of body fat, and is recognised as a medical condition or disease.  It is seriously debilitating, causing adverse effects on health with further consequences including reduced life span.  Whilst it is a problem among humans, many don’t realise that it can affect their pets as well; the RSPCA believes pet obesity to be a serious welfare issue, stating that it affects millions of animal worldwide.

Obesity will cause suffering in an animal, and can last for lengthy periods of time if left untreated.  It is unfortunately quite easy for your pet to develop obesity; if an animal does not consistently burn off the energy in his or her food, then obesity could be a threat.  It is difficult to ascertain exactly how many pets worldwide are definitely obese, but the rate is high enough to cause concern.

The risks

UK pet owners love to spoil their pets, and overfeeding can seem like a treat simply because animals love a good gorge, but this can lead to obesity and unfortunately the risks are severe, and sometimes fatal.

Obesity is directly linked with many medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, skin disease and cancer, whilst natural behaviour will also be heavily impaired.  Excess fat on an animal can lead to reduced exercise, which in turn leads to further increased fat levels and respiratory problems; essentially the issue will snowball and become increasingly difficult to resolve.

Identification and treatment

If you are concerned about pet obesity, there are a few things to look out for that will help you identify any potential weight problems.  With healthy dogs and cats you should be able to feel the impression of their ribs on their skin; an obese pet would have excess fat covering these bones.  You should also be able to see and feel your pet’s waist, and the belly should be tucked in when viewed from the side, and if this is not the case then it is recommended that you and your pet pay an immediate visit to the vet.

Your vet will run a health check in order to identify any medical conditions, and if your pet is suffering from obesity then a weight loss plan will be the next step.  A change of diet, as well as exercise suggestions, will be recommended by your vet, and it is worth remembering that even if your pet is not obese, it is a good idea to maintain lots of activity in order to keep burning off that fat.  If you are interested in dietary changes, simply ask your vet for some ideas.  Don’t forget that your pet needs an active lifestyle to remain fit, healthy and happy, so make the effort!