Obesity

The term obesity is used to describe a condition that is more serious than just being overweight. When a dog or cat is classed as obese, it means that their fat has now reached the stage where their bodies struggle to maintain good health.

It is estimated that 44% of cats and nearly half of the UK's dog population are overweight or obese . With this in mind, this puts our beloved pets at risk from health problems which are likely to adversely affect quality of life. This rapidly increasing problem is now so significant that the World Small Animal Veterinary Association have officially classed canine and feline obesity as a disease .

They best way to determine if an animal is overweight, is to use a body condition score. An ideal score would be 3 out of 5. Meaning your pets ribs and spine can be felt through a slight fat covering. Scores higher than this will predispose your pet to some life limiting conditions.

Reduced life span

Arthritis

Urine incontinence

Back problems

Cruciate ligament problems

Heart disease

Breathing difficulties

Diabetes

Skin disease

Cancer

Hormone problems

There are many factors which increase the risk of your pet becoming obese. But predominantly it is down to the owner over feeding .

1. Food ought to be measured daily for the desired body weight
2. Regular exercise needs to be part of a daily routine – E xercise alone will not help your pet lose weight
3. Feed the correct diet for your pets life stage

4. Avoid giving additional treats and scraps of human food