Weight loss strategies for pet longevity

Obesity

Obesity is a hot topic in human medicine, and it’s increasingly becoming a national health concern for our pets as well. Recent statistics indicate approximately 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are overweight or obese. 

Obesity in pets has multiple health implications. Excess weight puts abnormal loads on joints contributing to faster development of arthritis and decreased activity. Hormones secreted by excess fat can also put pets at risk for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

But most importantly, pets who are overweight or obese have a decreased lifespan. A study found that dogs who were kept at a lean body weight utilizing restricted feeding across their lifetimes lived, on average, two years longer! That’s a lot of good time to gain.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that we are still learning about. While the amount of calories consumed certainly affects the likelihood a pet will become obese, other factors such as genetics, breed standards and gut bacteria (microbiome) have also been found to contribute to a pet’s individual risk.

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Exercise

Exercise has many cardiovascular and joint health benefits and should absolutely be part of your pet’s daily regimen, but it is not typically a major contributor to weight loss. Choosing foods and feeding at correct amounts will make the most difference for your pet’s weight loss program.

There are kibble diets available by prescription from your veterinarian that have been proven to have success as part of a weight loss plan. These are different from over-the-counter “light” diets. However, a whole foods diet may be an even better choice, as they are typically lower in carbohydrates (a common contributor to weight gain in pets) and higher in moisture content. See our article here to learn more about incorporating whole foods for your pet.

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Other strategies that can be helpful for encouraging weight loss include:

• Using a consistent measuring cup or kitchen scale to weigh food and ensure appropriate feeding amounts
• Providing low-impact exercise, such as walking, regularly
• Avoiding high-calorie, high-fat treats (consider small amounts of pet-safe fruit or vegetables instead)
• Using food puzzles or games at feeding times to slow consumption
• Getting the whole family involved and on the same page, while avoiding blame
• Regular weigh-ins to check on your progress and troubleshoot plateaus

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To determine if your pet is overweight, use this chart for dogs or this chart for cats to check your pet’s body condition score.

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At Petspan, we’re on the forefront of longevity interventions for pets. Want to learn more about what options are available to help your pet live a longer and healthier life? Schedule a consultation with one of our Petspan veterinarians.

Sources
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1. Larsen, J. A., & Villaverde, C. (2016). Scope of the problem and perception by owners and veterinarians. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 46(5), 761–772. 
2. German, A. J., Ryan, V. H., German, A. C., Wood, I. S., & Trayhurn, P. (2010). Obesity, its associated disorders and the role of inflammatory adipokines in companion animals. Veterinary Journal, 185(1), 4–9. 
3. Lawler DF, Larson BT, Ballam JM, et al. Diet restriction and ageing in the dog: major observations over two decades. Br J Nutr. 2008;99(4):793-805. doi:10.1017/S0007114507871686.