The health risks of obesityPet Type Dog Issue General Health Risk factors for obesity - Although an animals weight isgenerally related to its food intake and activity levels, there are certain risk factors that will make some individuals more prone to being obese than others;
- Breed - In dogs especially certain breeds are prone to weight gain, for example Labradors or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, while others such as Greyhounds or Whippets are very unlikely to become obese. In cats moggies are more likely to be overweight than the naturally lean oriental breeds.
- Age - as animals age they naturally become more sedentary,. So they older they get, the more likely they are to be over-weight.
- Sex - Females are more likely to be over-weight than males, especially if they have been neutered.It has also been shown it is more difficult to diet females, entire or neutered, than males.
- Neutering - in both cats and dogs being neutered means they are more likely to gain weight. It slows the speed of the metabolism and also neutered animals have larger appetites than entire ones. However, this is no excuse not to neuter! To learn more about neutering your pet, click .
- Sedentary lifestyle - obviously animals who do not exercise regularly are more at risk from becoming overweight.
| | | | Some breeds of dog, such as Labradors, are prone to being overweight.
| As they age, animals are more likely to gain weight
| Sedentary lifestyles will leave pets prone to weight gain.
| - The simple answer to this question is that your pet is being fed too much.
- However, it is possible your pet is not being fed the correct foods, being fed at the wrong times, not being exercised enough, or in a minority of cases may have an underlying illness.
- Being fed too much - most often, pets are simply fed too much, they will not tell you when they have had their recommended daily ration! There is also no truth in the fact that cats will regulate their food intake and not eat too much, some of the fattest animals we see are cats!
- Being fed the wrong diet - always ensure your pet is fed a diet appropriate to their lifestyle and type. For example puppy or kitten food should not be fed once your pet is a year old, and if you dog is a working breed, they do not need a working dog food unless they actually work!
- Feeding too may treats - remember food does not equal love! Animals like treats, but they also love attention, simply playing with your dog or fussing your cat can be as much a reward for them as a tasty treat.
- Feeding table scraps - this is one of the biggest culprits of obesity in pets. Our food is often very fatty and highly calorific. A handful of table scraps a day can easily mean your pet is over eating by as much as 50%.
- Not exercising enough - even if your pet doesn't overeat, they will gain weight if they do not do enough exercise. Dogs should have at leastone hour of exercise a day, and larger, more energetic breeds may require two. Cats should also be encouraged to be active by playing or by letting them outside.
- Underlying illness - Hypothyroidism is a disease which can make dogs over-weight as it slows the speed of their metabolism, However, it is very rare, and should only be considered if an dog has been on a diet and not lost any weight. It is extremely rare in cats.To learn more about hypothyroidism, click .
What are the health risks of obesity? - Being over-weight is a huge risk factor for the development of other diseases, and can make any existing conditions much worse.
- This is why it is so important to ensure your pet is the ideal weight, and to put them on a diet if they are not.
- Your pet will not live as long - this is the most basic consequence of an animal being over weight. Recent studies have proved animals who are the ideal weight live 15% longer than over-weight ones. This can be up to 2 years in a Labrador, and even more in smaller breeds.
- Diabetes - being over weight is a huge risk factor for diabetes, especially in cats. However, if the animal loses the weight the diabetes can be reversed in some cases. To learn more about diabetes click .
- Arthritis - Joint problems and pain are far more common in obese animals. The extra weight puts the joints under extra stress. Affected animals can get into a vicious cycle as the more the joints hurt, the less exercise they do, so the fatter they get. Again, losing the weight will lead to a significant improvement in the joint problems.
- Breathing problems - Animals who are over-weight will often have respiratory problems. Smaller breeds can have problems with their tracheas (windpipes), and short nosed breeds, who often have poor breathing anyway, can really struggle.
- Heart Problems - Just as in people, being obese puts the heart under extra stress.
- Heat Stroke - Animals who are over active in very hot weather can easily suffer from heat stoke, which if not treated can be life threatening. Obese animals are much more at risk from this problem as they will over heat more quickly and easily.
- Incontinence - incontinence is a common problem in older female dogs, but is particularly common in the over-weight ones. Again, this is a problem which can often be reversed by simply losing the weight.
- Cancer - in humans there is a very clear link between obesity and cancer. It is thought this same link is present in animals, but as yet the studies have not been done to prove it.
- Also, animals who are overweight or obese have a higher riskof complications if they require an anesthetic or surgery.
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