Animal Medical Center & Associates P.C.
Jarvis E. Williams, DVM - "Skip"
Joi Pearson, DVM
Brooke Lewis, DVM
204 W. 75th Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
ph: 816-333-9000
fax: 816-361-5029
Obesity in Pets
- 25 to 45% incident (probably higher.)
- Humans—95% failure in weight loss. One dog study, in controlled university setting, achieved only a 50% success rate.
- Causes: High palatability; Free choice feeding; Lack of exercise; Boredom; Genetic predisposition; Instinct to gorge; Inter-animal competition.
- Neutering and spaying reduces energy requirement 15%.
- Most food labels recommend too much quantity.
- Very common not to stop kitten or puppy food before noticing weight gain. Animals are meant to be “lean and mean.” Roly-poly puppies are not good.
- Normally fat deposit is a result of too many calories and too little exercise.
- Fat isn’t just under the skin. It surrounds the intestines, liver, heart, kidneys etc. One pound of fat may have literally miles of capillaries in it—hard on the heart and limits lung expansion.
- Reduced fat formulas often still have high calories. High protein, low carb diets no magical properties. It’s still just calories/exercise.
- Obese cats—2.7 times greater risk of death, and double the risk for diabetes.
- Goal: 1-2% reduction in body weight per week.
- First two weeks reduce calories 10%. Mix new food with old food. After 2 weeks reduce calories 15%. At 2-3 months reduce again.
- After 2-3 months watch for plateau.
- Commercial treats often very fatty for palatability. Try cabbage, carrots, green beans soaked in beef, or chicken broth as treats. Very common for members of the family to “sneak” treats to pet.
- Low thyroid levels will cause obesity. Can be tested for.
- Increase “hunting for food” with cats. Feed small amounts in lots of different places in house.
- We can calculate caloric needs, and give you a list of lower calorie foods and their caloric content.
- Recommend regular “weigh-ins” at vet or home to monitor progress.
- Figure on a year. Is a life style change. Easier to prevent!
- Install padlock on the refrigerator and pantry to prevent pet from opening those doors and sneaking food in the middle of the night.
Copyright 2011 Animal Medical Center & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.
204 W. 75th Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
ph: 816-333-9000
fax: 816-361-5029
