How To Deal With Pet’s Obesity?

CAUSES OF PET OBESITY

Before jumping into the cures, let us first understand the factors leading to the excess body weight among pets. Few are described here:

>>Physiology

Genetic Predisposition; Some breeds of pets get easily prone to obesity. In dogs, spaniels. Beagles, Terrier breeds etc., are vulnerable to being overweight.
-Age; Pets within five years of age tend to decrease their voluntary physical activity and burn less fat.

>>Medications

Glucocorticoids can lead to abnormal weight gain. -Phenobarbital results in overeating due to deficiency of satiety.

>>Environment

• -Less Exercise in pets due to remaining indoors.
• -Feeding the pet high fats more in comparison to the exercise done.
• -Sometimes, pet owners also don’t realize how overweight their pets are.

>>Surgery

Spaying/Neutering; When sex hormones decrease, then less energy is burnt, which affects the satiety of pets.

>>Diseases

Insulinoma, Hyperadrenocorticism and Hypothyroidism can result in obesity.

DIAGNOSIS OF PET OBESITY

There are four types of body condition measurements found in pets that are underweight, overweight, obese and ideal.

Obesity can be diagnosed by getting a Body Condition Score (BCS) after calculating the pet’s body weight and fat. The veterinary doctor can evaluate it by examining the pets and closely feeling their body parts, including the lumbar, head, ribs and tail.

The pet is declared obese if the excess fat is 10-15%. BCS is measured on a scale of 0-9; if the score is more than 7, then the pet is considered overweight.

TIPS & MEASURES TO CONTROL PET OBESITY

After learning the risks accompanying excess body weight, taking appropriate measures to curb it is essential. Some are discussed below:

• -Make A Routine

  Feed the pets on a set schedule to let them realize when they are hungry and when they are not. Please keep track of what time they get fed and how much food they are having with the help of measuring cups. Write it all down for regular assessment. It helps to prevent overfeeding.

• -Minimize Snack Meals:

  Pets can seek a lot of extra calories in goodies from friendly neighbors. You need to check from where these extra calories are arriving and try to tackle it there & then. As these calories only add up to the regular kibble the pet gets.

• -Regular, Low-Impact Exercise:

  Beginning with a straightforward count of simple steps the pet takes every day. You can start by roaming with them from one room to another across the house. Gradually, increase the length of their walks by assigning specific tasks like going to the mailbox etc. Playtime and other activities will encourage them to take long walks. A pet must dedicate a minimum period of 15 minutes to physical exercise. Experiment with various toys & games to understand what tempts them more.

• -Hydrotherapy:

  Pets who love water may enjoy running on a submerged treadmill. It is a safe and low-impact way to burn fat. Nowadays, many canine swim centers are opening. Here, you can implement hydrotherapy can to cure arthritis, weight loss etc.

• -Re-Plan Meals:

  Revise the meal plans of your pet to emphasize more on low-calorie options. You can rely on crunchy vegan diets such as fresh green beans, carrot sticks etc. Offer treat-dispensing toys that enable your pets to work to get the treat.

• -Give Pain Relief:

  Pets may suffer from different pains due to joint issues, recovery from treatment, age factors etc. You may consult a good veterinarian regularly to learn ways to reduce pain. Also, try to increase their physical movement through heating pads, acupuncture, prescription medication or even massage.