WEIGHT A MINUTE!

Is your pet looking a little more fluffy around the middle than they should? Read on to learn more about how a few extra pounds can drastically affect their health!

Obesity or being overweight in animals is nothing new but has recently seen a shift on social media from being a bad thing to being "cute". Many of you have probably seen a post somewhere about a cat being a "chonker" or a dog being a "heckin' big boy" with an array of comments about how lovable and squishy they are. The reality is that these pets are often in a lot of pain and suffering from medical issues that are directly related to their weight.

The average adult cat should weigh between 8 and 11 lbs. but can weigh more or less depending on their body structure and breed. Below is a chart to help you visualize what a healthy weight on a cat looks like.

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If your cat is looking more like number 4 or 5 in the infographic it may be time or a visit with our doctors to check for things like liver or kidney problems, arthritis, or even diabetes. Obese cats also have a much more difficult time grooming themselves which can lead to skin issues.

Ideally, cats would be on a managed diet with regular feeding times and measured amounts of food. They should have a minimal amount of treats as well. 

What about dogs? Dogs are just as prone to being overweight or obese as cats, maybe even moreso            since we tend to reward good behavior (or, lets be honest, just being adorable) with food. 

A dogs ideal weight is highly dependent on its breed so below is a chart to help you visualize if your dog is overweight or not.

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Training your dog using food can be a great motivator and use of positive reinforcement. Many professional trainers recommend this method, in fact. The problem lies within the overuse of food as a way to show our dogs love or appreciation. As we all know, extra calories can add up quickly and lead to unwanted extra pounds. While for us, a couple of extra pounds may not make much of a difference, with dogs just an additional 2 lbs. can be the same as a person gaining 20 lbs. depending on the size of your dog.

Carrying all that extra weight can be extremely detrimental to your dogs health, both physical and emotional. Obesity in dogs can and often does lead to diabetes, arthritis, torn ligaments in joints, heart disease, high blood pressure, bladder stones, several types of cancer, depression, and behavioral issues. 

What can you do?

To prevent your pet from becoming overweight or obese speak with one of our doctors or technicians about the proper amount for your pet to eat per day. Make sure they are getting plenty of exercise by going for walks, playing, or swimming (see our Summer Safety Guide here). Don't let them fool you into thinking they're starving all the time, as long as they're eating a balanced, healthy diet, they're not. Don't use food as the only tool in your belt for praising and rewarding or just showing them love. While the occasional treat is ok, try to limit how many they get. Replace your regular treats with things like fresh green beans, bits of cooked carrot, or small pieces of plain chicken or tuna. 

The bottom line is that our furry friends are just as susceptible to obesity related medical conditions as we are and since they are unable to make dietary choices for themselves it's up to us to make healthy ones for them!