Have you noticed your pet is a little fluffier than when you adopted them? They may be overweight, and this condition can significantly affect your pet’s health, longevity, and quality of life. Our Caldwell Animal Hospital team is committed to keeping your pet as healthy as possible, and we explain why being overweight is so detrimental to your pet’s health. Follow our guidelines to assess your four-legged friend’s weight status.

Excess weight increases your pet’s disease risk

Overweight pets often have mobility issues, hindering their ability to be active. In addition, the excess weight increases their risk for numerous health problems such as:

  • Arthritis — Imagine carrying around a 20-pound weight all day. If your pet is overweight, the excess weight they carry strains their joints, potentially leading to arthritis. In addition, fat cells produce low-grade inflammation throughout the body, which can aggravate the condition.
  • Diabetes — Overweight and obese cats have a high diabetes risk. This condition typically requires daily insulin injections to manage.
  • Cancer — Numerous cancers in people have been linked to obesity, and veterinary medicine studies indicate that excess weight likely increases a pet’s cancer risk.
  • Hypertension — Overweight and obese pets are at an increased risk for developing hypertension, which can lead to problems such as chronic kidney disease and retinal detachment.
  • Skin infection — Many overweight and obese pets develop skinfolds that can harbor pathogens, such as bacteria and yeast, leading to infection.
  • Respiratory issues — Excess fat lining the abdominal and chest cavity can make breathing difficult, and overweight pets are at increased risk for respiratory conditions such as tracheal collapse.

Pet weight assessment

The best way to evaluate your pet’s weight status is to determine their body condition score (BCS). This management tool helps you assess your pet’s body fat by observing them from different positions and palpating certain body areas. Using the BCS system, you score your pet’s body condition from one to nine. One indicates emaciation and nine indicates obesity. Scores of four and five are considered ideal. Specific rankings are as follows:

  • Score 1 — The ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones, and all bony prominences are easily visible from a distance, and the pet has no discernible body fat. An emaciated pet also has obvious muscle mass loss.
  • Score 2 — The ribs, lumbar vertebra, and pelvic bones are easily visible. The pet has no palpable fat and minimal muscle mass loss.
  • Score 3 — The ribs are easily palpated and may be visible. The lumbar vertebrae’s tops are visible and the pelvic bones are prominent. The pet has an obvious waist and abdominal tuck.
  • Score 4 — The ribs are easily palpable and have minimal fat. The pet’s waist is easily appreciated when viewed from above, and an abdominal tuck is present.
  • Score 5 — The ribs are palpable with no excess fat. The pet’s waist is visible when viewed from above, and an abdominal tuck is present when viewed from the side.
  • Score 6 — The ribs are palpable with slight excess fat. The pet’s waist is discernible but not prominent, and they have an abdominal tuck.
  • Score 7 — The ribs are difficult to palpate through a heavy fat cover. The pet has fat deposits over the lumbar area and tail base. They have no discernible waist, but an abdominal tuck may be present.
  • Score 8 — The ribs are palpable under heavy fat cover or palpable with significant pressure. The pet has heavy fat deposits over the lumbar area and tail base. They have no waist or abdominal tuck.
  • Score 9 — The pet has massive fat deposits over the thorax, spine, and tail base. They have no waist, and obvious abdominal distention is present.

Pet weight-loss management

If your pet is overweight, contact our Caldwell Animal Hospital team, so we can devise their safe weight-loss strategy. If appropriate nutrition is withheld or your pet loses too much weight too quickly, serious health problems can occur. Our team can devise an appropriate and safe management plan to help your furry pal slim down to their ideal weight.

Pet weight maintenance

To help keep your pet healthy, you need to manage their weight. To help your pet maintain a healthy weight, follow these tips:

  • Scheduling regular wellness exams — Schedule regular wellness exams, so our Caldwell Animal Hospital team can track your pet’s weight and detect conditions that may contribute to weight gain before they become problematic.
  • Weighing your pet — Weigh your pet every two to three months to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Calculating your pet’s caloric needs — Use an online pet calorie calculator to help determine your pet’s daily caloric needs. These tools consider your pet’s age, weight, breed, activity level, and spay or neuter status to determine their necessary amount of daily calories. 
  • Feeding multiple meals a day — Spread your pet’s caloric intake into two or three meals to help keep them better satiated.
  • Measuring accurately — Use a measuring cup or kitchen scale to measure your pet’s meal portion accurately and ensure they receive the correct amount.
  • Limiting treats — Limit your pet’s treats to only 10% of their overall daily caloric intake. Ensure you account for these calories when determining your pet’s meal portion.
  • Choosing healthy treats — Feed your pet healthy treats, such as small pieces of vegetables and fruit, and avoid giving them high-fat snacks.
  • Exercising your pet — All pets need physical activity. Determine your pet’s exercise needs, and ensure they are active every day.
  • Using a food puzzle toy — Feed your pet using a food puzzle toy to make mealtimes more intriguing and to prevent them from eating too quickly.

Do you suspect your pet is overweight? Schedule your furry pal’s wellness examination with our Caldwell Animal Hospital team, so we can ensure your pet remains healthy, trim, and active.