Videos and photos of overweight pets abound on social media. While obese animals may often seem strange to us, it’s essential to care for our dogs and cats, especially when it comes to their diet. Overweight pets are more prone to developing certain diseases (such as osteoarthritis and feline diabetes) and, in general, have a shorter life expectancy compared to their non-obese counterparts. The problem is more widespread than you might think: in Italy, on average, 35% of cats and dogs are overweight. What causes this, and how can we prevent animal obesity?
How to tell if your pets are overweight
Apart from cases where obesity is evident, it’s not always simple to tell if your dogs and cats need a diet. It’s not just about weight but also body condition: your pets may seem heavy but actually just have strong muscles. A veterinarian can certainly help calculate the ideal weight for your four-legged friends. Typically, if an animal exceeds its ideal weight by 10–20%, it’s considered overweight. If it’s more than 20% above the ideal weight, then we’re dealing with obesity.
What Causes Obesity in Pets
In industrialized countries, overweight pets are common. People often provide them with extra snacks or excessive meals throughout the day. Additionally, they do not engage in any physical activity. However, obesity can also depend on a variety of factors, including nutrition, age, and gender. Breed predispositions and genetics also play a role (just like in humans). Pets can also have endocrine diseases or illnesses that limit exercise, making them more prone to weight gain. Generally, purebred dogs are more likely to be obese (such as Golden Retrievers or Newfoundlands), whereas, in cats, the opposite is true: mixed-breeds are at higher risk. Therefore, it's crucial to understand your pet's breed or genetic factors to determine the optimal diet for them.
Associated Diseases
Among the most common diseases associated with obesity are metabolic disorders (which can endanger your dog or cat even during anesthesia or surgery), endocrine disorders, and immune system dysfunction. Overweight animals can also develop dermatopathies, tumors, pancreatitis, urinary tract diseases (in cats), kidney problems, and cardiovascular diseases.
How to Prevent and Treat Obesity in Pets
As always, a healthy dose of common sense is often more than necessary. For both dogs and cats, it’s essential to avoid between-meal snacks and ensure they get plenty of exercise. Either too much or too little of these activities can be harmful to our pets. If your pet is overweight, it’s better to opt for low-calorie diet foods (either dry or wet). Generally, pets are aware of their nutritional needs, so it’s a beneficial idea to feed them plenty of fiber to make them feel full and avoid overeating. It's always best to consult an expert—namely, a veterinarian—for a proper dietary plan, since the diet should vary based on your pet's characteristics and, of course, their age.
Why It’s Important to Weigh Your Pet’s Food
A final and crucial preventative measure is, of course, weighing your dog or cat's food. While it’s correct to eliminate between-meal snacks, how much food should they eat during meals? There are general rules, but it’s worth noting that your pet’s needs will change depending on their characteristics. For instance, when it comes to cats, you should calculate 40 grams per kilogram of body weight if feeding wet or homemade food. For dry food, divide the result of the wet food calculation by three to determine the daily amount to give your cat. These rules, however, change if you’re dealing with a kitten or a senior cat. In these cases, it’s advisable to consult a veterinarian and follow the instructions on the food packaging (there are specific guidelines for both kittens and senior cats).
Disciplined cats can leave the bowl full and know when to eat, but dogs are different. Generally, an adult dog (medium-sized breed) should consume 30–40 grams of wet food per kilogram of body weight per day. For dry food, the guideline is 10 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Given the wide range of variables, it is always best to consult a veterinarian.
More: Dog Health
