My name is Jennifer and my cat is fat.....not just a little chunky, she is fat. In fact her name is "Fat Cat". And truly there is only one person to blame for it - me. Obesity is a far too common occurrence in many of our patients today. I am unsure if it is a reflection of the busy schedules of us as owners, or our desire to keep our pets 'fat and happy'. Either way, obesity is a problem for our pets. It is one of the few diseases, if it is not a symptom of an underlying entity, that can be 100% controlled by us. Our pets cannot control the food they eat, how much they eat, nor can they decide to go on a diet or exercise more. They depend on us to make those decisions for them. And in the case of my sweet kitty, I have failed her. She wasn't always this fat - she started off as a sweet little cat. But somewhere along the way, her food bowl remained full at all times (mostly to stop her from meowing at my head at 5 am) and before I knew it she was 12 lbs.
Obesity predisposes our pets to various other problems including diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. Therefore, it is more than just cosmetic for our pets - we know that pets that are overweight live shorter lives, have more orthopedic problems and develop more secondary issues. They have a tougher time under anesthesia and don't metabolize drugs appropriately. Trying to maintain a pet at their ideal, lean weight is vital to a long and healthy life with us.
Often owners feel like they can't do anything to help their pets get in better shape - or they don't want to deprive them of treats or special goodies. I will say that getting a dog to lose weight is easier than a cat- you can take dogs for walks, take them to the park, play fetch etc to get them some exercise. Cats can be more difficult. Some will walk on a leash or chase a laser pointer around the house - or sometimes your dog chases the cat around the house which helps! Substituting healthier options for treats can help - try raw green beans or carrots, plain rice cakes or even ice cubes as treats for your dogs. Stay away from raisins and grapes tho!
If weight loss still eludes your pet be sure to consult with your veterinarian - there are some underlying medical conditions that predispose pets to gaining weight, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. Your vet will want to run some lab work to make sure this isn't the cause. Sometimes prescription weight loss diets are needed to help a pet get down to a healthier weight.
Whether you do it on your own, or enroll your pet in your veterinarians weight watcher's club - having a lean and healthy pet will benefit you both in the long run!
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