Obesity is the number one issue in the pet world.
Being overweight can lead to many health issues in pets. Heart disease, diabetes and bone issues are among the most common weight related ailments. Excess strain on joints can cause early arthritis, and bone fractures happen easier when their bodies are forced to carry extra weight.
The biggest contributing factors in pet obesity are diet and exercise. Feeding an appropriate amount, of a high-quality food can make all the difference. It is important to know that the feeding instructions on pet foods are just a base line and won’t work for every pet. If your pet is overweight, a good starting point is to remove just a small amount of what their normal meal is and see if that makes a difference after several weeks. Companion animals were not meant for sedentary lifestyles and need plenty of exercise to stay fit. Increasing walks or adding enrichment activities – like having to search and work for their food- are great ways to promote activity.
It is important to note that weight loss should be a slow process, and you don’t want to decrease food or increase activity too quickly.
Although not as common of an issue, being underweight can be a cause for concern in pets as well. If you can see your pets ribs or their hip bones and spine are protruding, they are likely underweight. If this is the case, they have not been getting adequate nutrition. It is possible that an increase in food is all that is needed, but sometimes there are other underlying issues. Medical issues or parasites (worms) are among the more common issues causing pets to drop weight. If you see small seed-like casings appearing around your home, especially in your pets bed, it could be a sign of tapeworms. If your pet is vomiting on top of rapidly losing weight, it could be a sign of a much more urgent situation- an internal blockage. In this case your pet should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
Whether your pet is over or underweight, it is important to address and get them back to ideal condition. Working closely with your veterinarian is important, as they can help you find the perfect amount of food your pet needs per meal, and be sure there are no underlying issues. If your pet ever has any sudden change to eating habits, or they are gaining or losing weight rapidly it is especially important to seek immediate professional care.