Obesity Management in Pets: Symptoms & Causes

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:

  1. Difficulty breathing or painting after minimal exertion

  1. Reduced energy levels and reluctance to exercise

  1. A waddling speed or difficulty getting up

  1. Excessive thirst and urination

  1. Reduced mobility and agility

  1. 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:

  1. Breed: Some dog breeds, including Labradors, Beagles, and Basset Hounds, are more prone to obesity than others.

  1. Age: Older pets are more likely to be overweight or obese due to slower metabolism and reduced activity levels.

  1. Gender: Female animals are more prone to obesity than males.

  1. Neutering: Activities like Spaying or neutering your furry friend can reduce its metabolism and boost the risk of obesity.

  1. Medical problems: Some medical issues, such as hypothyroidism, can cause animals to gain weight.

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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