Obesity is a major concern for our animal companions; More than half of all pet dogs and cats are overweight or obese. Unfortunately, this issue is often overlooked. We understand that many caring pet owners want to reward and spoil their animal friends by providing snacks and tidbits. There is nothing wrong with giving your buddy snacks, and we love seeing our patients pampered. However, those extra pounds come at a high cost for your pet’s health. Continue reading to get more information about pet obesity from your Plano, TX veterinarian.
What Dog Breeds Are At Highest Risk Of Obesity?
At the end of the day, your pet’s weight will be determined by their calorie intake and activity levels. As with people, it generally comes down to whether or not one is consuming more than they are burning off. This is where Man’s Best Friend’s fondness for munchies comes into play. Fido will definitely not turn his cute nose up at a slice of bacon, and if you drop a meatball on the floor, he will immediately spring into action. However, some breeds are more likely to gain weight than others.
The Labrador Retriever, Pug, Beagle, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Basset Hound, Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, German Shepherd, Scottish Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Newfoundland, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frisé, Border Collie, Saint Bernard, and West Highland White Terrier are some of the pups that tend to gain weight.
How Can I Tell if My Dog is Obese?
In some circumstances, it’s simple to discern whether Fido is overweight. If your canine friend resembles a potato with ears, legs, and a tail, he might be a chonker. It can be harder to tell with fluffy or heavy-set pets, though.
Here’s a rule of thumb to follow: a pet is considered overweight if they weigh more than 10% of their ideal body weight and obese if they weigh 20% more.
With dogs, ideal body weight is determined in large part by breed. There is a huge range here. A robust male Newfoundland can weigh up to 180 pounds, whereas a Chihuahua might only weigh 6. If your dog is purebred, you can learn more by looking up breed standards.
Of course, many dogs, including the vast majority of our patients, are mutts.
Body weight score tables are quite handy here for both dogs and cats. Try to feel your pet’s ribs. If you can feel them beneath a thin layer of muscle and fat, that’s a positive sign. If you can’t feel them at all, well, you may have a furry little butterball on your hands. Your Plano, TX veterinarian will be the ultimate authority in this matter, of course. Keep up with your pet’s appointments.
What Cat Breeds Are Most Prone to Obesity?
Breed isn’t as big of a factor with our feline friends as it is for our canine pals. For one thing, many kitties are feline ‘mutts’ or are of unknown breed. Cat breeds also have less variation in size than canine varieties. There are some exceptions, of course. The Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat are far larger than many of their lesser counterparts. On the opposite end of the scale, the adorable Munchkin cat is pretty small. But the vast majority of our feline overlords are fairly similar in size.
The super cute Maine Coon and its cousin, the Norwegian Forest Cat, top the list of chubby cats. Other cats that grow to be huge are the British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Exotic Short Hair, Ragdoll, Birman, and Sphynx.
How Do I Help My Pet Lose Weight?
Fido and Fluffy cannot exactly get themselves a snack from the fridge or order meal delivery: what they eat is entirely up to you. Of course, dogs and cats are both very, very good at wrapping their humans around their paws, and getting us to hand over yummy morsels or even fill their food bowls on demand. You might need to harden yourself against that sad feed-me-I’m-starving expression!
Portion control is very important here. Even feeding your pet a few additional calories per day can cause weight gain!
Finally, limit how many treats you give your cute pet. It’s fine to feed Fluffy and Fido snacks, but keep treats to about 5% of your pet’s daily caloric consumption.
It’s also important to make sure your pet is getting a good, high-quality food. Consult your Plano, TX veterinarian for specific information on your pet’s food and care needs.
Schedule An Appointment At Our Plano, TX Animal Clinic
Have any queries about your pet’s diet or care? Please contact us, your Plano, TX veterinary hospital. We are here to help!
