Fat dogs and cats: How to help your pet shed the pounds

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April 13, 12:48 AM

Fat dogs and cats are at risk for numerous health problem but weight loss is not impossible

Overweight or fat dogs and cats are more common than most pet owners realize. It is estimated that over 50% of dogs between the ages of five to ten years of age are overweight or obese.

Why does it matter if your pet is fat or overweight?

If your dog or cat is fat or overweight, his health is at risk. Overweight pets may be more prone to developing a number of different health issues, including:

*arthritis,

*cardiac or heart diseases,

*respiratory or lung diseases,

*diabetes,

*spinal disease (back problems),

*and many others.

How can a pet owner tell if a cat or dog is fat or overweight?

Determining whether a dog or cat is fat or overweight is based on an evaluation of the dog or cat's body condition. A dog or cat with ideal body condition:

*has ribs which are easily palpable through the dog or cat's skin but which are not visible.

*has a waist when viewed from above. You should see an hourglass silhouette from the ribs extending back to the hips.

*has a abdominal tuck when viewed from either side.

*has a tail in which the bones are palpable in the upper part of tail without a great deal of fat cover. The base of the tail should have a smooth contour.

Overweight or fat dogs and cats:

*have ribs which cannot be felt easily through the skin. There is a thick fat cover over the ribs.

*have no waist when viewed from above. The silhouette of the fat dog or cat, when viewed from above goes straight from the ribs to the hips with no indentation. There is no hourglass shape.

*have no abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. The fat dog or cat has a belly that extends in a straight line from the ribs to the pelvic area instead of a belly which rises gently toward the pelvis.

*will have a tail base which is wide and covered with a thick layer of fat.

How can a pet owner help a fat dog or cat lose weight?

The first thing a pet owner should do before instituting a weight loss program for a fat or overweight dog or cat is schedule an appointment with their veteriinarian. Before beginning a weight loss diet, it is imperative to make certain that the dog or cat is healthy and is able to safely participate in a weight loss program.

When instituting a weight loss program, there are two critical factors:

1. decreasing the number of calories consumed while still maintaining adequate nutritional levels

2. increasing the amount of exercise your cat or dog receives.

Decreasing the calorie count of the diet for a fat dog or cat

You may wish to consider placing your overweight or fat dog or cat on a low calorie diet to help him lose weight. These diets help lower the overall calorie count on a daily basis while still allowing your dog or cat to receive balanced nutrition and they also tend to satiate the animal's hunger better than simply reducing the amount fed of a higher calorie diet.

Any diet change made for your dog or cat should be done slowly, giving your dog or cat a chance to adjust to the new diet over a period of at least one week.

When dealing with a cat, always ensure that the cat is eating daily, particularly when trying to change the diet. Many cats are resistent to a change in diet and will refuse to eat. This can lead to hepatic lipidosis, a liver disease which results from long periods of anorexia (not eating) and can be fatal for your cat. Never try to get a cat to lose weight through a "starvation" diet.

Treats for fat dogs and cats undergoing a weight loss regimen should be kept to a minimum. Higher calorie treats can be replaced with:

*fruits

*vegetables

*rice

*ice cubes or ice chips

*commercially available low calorie treats

Alternatively, when you measure out the amount of food you need to give your dog or cat for the day, you can remove a small portion of this daily allotted portion and set it aside in a special container to give as a treat for your dog or cat during the course of the day. Many dogs and cats do not really care what kind of food is given as a treat. For many, it is the chance to interact with their owner that they enjoy. The treat is a secondary consideration for them.

To encourage weight loss in a fat dog or cat, feed small meals several times daily rather than one or two large meals. This tends to keep the dog or cat's hunger appeased more easily.

Increasing the amount of exercise for the fat dog or cat

While providing adequate exercise for a dog or cat trying to lose weight is important, it is also important not to overdo the exercise in the early stages if your dog or cat is not used to exercising. Start slow and gradually build up to a solid exercise program, just like you would do if you were starting an exercise program for yourself.

For overweight or fat dogs, good forms of exercise include walking, jogging or running alongside you. You can also encourage interactive play, like chasing a ball, retrieving a stick, or playing with a frisbee if your dog enjoys that type of behavior. Though not always practical, swimming and running on a treadmill also provide good exercise for a dog trying to lose weight.

For overweight or fat cats, interactive play may provide a means of exercise. Try allowing your cat to chase a laser pointer or a toy tied on the end of a string. Use your imagination. Cats love to play with things that move. Another option is placing your cat's food inside of a hollow toy or ball and making your cat work to retrieve his food by rolling the ball or toy aroud to retrieve the food inside.

Pharmacological management of weight loss for fat dogs

Recently, a new drug called Slentrol was introduced to the market to help dogs lose weight. Slentrol works as an appetite suppressant for your dog and may help some overweight dogs lose weight.

Slentrol is only approved for dogs. At the current time, it should not be used for cats. Slentrol is available only by prescription.