Weight loss for pets

By Anna Nicola, BU Admin volunteer and ex-pet food advisor

The following advice on weight loss for pets is for guidance purposes only, always consult your vet for advice. Especially where medical issues. are concerned.

According to vet estimates, nearly half of all dogs in the UK are obese, and nearly 63% of cats within developed countries. Obesity in pets is very dangerous , and can lead to serous complications, and a reduced lifespan. The PDSA identifies a variety of complications caused by obesity including muscular-skeletal disorders or injuries (arthritis, slipped disk, problems with cruciate ligament and other injuries) as well as diseases such as Cushings, diabetes, and certain cancers. For brachycephalic cats and dogs, it can cause issues with breathing, although some issues such as wind pipe or laryngeal collapse have the potential to affect pets irrespective of their skull type. If an emergency arises, obesity can cause complications with anaesthesia, should this be required.

First things first - if your cat or dog is overweight, do consult your vet for a proper health assessment, as weight gain can be caused by an over-active thyroid, cushings, or other medical conditions. Also, weight is specifc for each dog - just like for people.

The following guidance assumes your dog is overweight due to eating too much, which is usually the most common cause according to the Blue Cross.

How to check if your dog is overweight?

The obvious answer is to ask your vet to weigh and assess your dogs general health and condition, as some breeds may appear thinner or chunkier than others, or they may be a medical condition at work. But there is some guidance you can follow at home:

• Rib check: You should easily feel your dog’s ribs without pressing hard. If they feel padded or hidden, your dog carries extra fat.

• Waist check: Look at your dog from above. A healthy dog has a clear, visible waist behind the ribs.

• Belly check: Look at your dog from the side. The belly should tuck up rather than sag downward

How to control weight gain

Weight loss will usually require management of three broad areas - diet, excercise, and check ins. There are some additional considerations you can make within that.

Owners who check in on the weighing scales, tend to be more involved in weight management and this increases success rates.

• Diet. Look for food that is designed to support weight reduction. You can contact your vet to help you work out how much you should be feeding. If your pet likes to eat - and begs for food frequently throughout the day, it may be better to feed the allocated amount of food within three or four smaller meals rather than one or two larger meals. This can also prevent bloat in dogs, as well as support a stable blood sugar level and metabolism.

• Control treats. Swap fatty treats - mainstream treats (even the bisvuit variety) can often be coated in oils to improve taste and this means they are fattier. For dogs, a raw carrot is great - great for chewing, cleaning teeth, and added fibre. For cats, try freeze dried chicken breast or tuna instead of those unmaed crunchy addictive snacks...Be strict about when treats are given and stick to the routine.

• Exercise. Is your dog getting enough walkies? Can you increase the walks by small amounts daily, just 15m more per walk is good. Do remember that different breeds have different excercise needs - high energy dogs such as cockerpoos will need a lot more than a lower energy breed such as a Lhasa Apso. But that doesn't mean you should skip the excercise - even playing throw the stuffy at home is great - and this goes for indoor cats too!

  • For dogs, the PDSA have a good guide on excercse needs for each breed, take a look here.

• Check ins.  Weight loss in pets has been shown to be more successful when you have regular weigh-ins. Most vets will let you weigh your pet with no charge - and will also offer weight clinics. Keep monitoring their weight regularly to keep on track.

If you need advice as to which food to consider, your vet should be the main point of call for any dietary changes and advice. However, general recommendations for food options can also be discussed with your contact at Balkan Underdogs.