The Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine is an established local association of Central Ohio Veterinarians. Its members reflect all aspects of veterinary medicine from small and large animal veterinary practices to academics and research. All the members share the common goal of creating an organization to promote veterinary medicine and safeguard its interests on a local level. The Academy is a vital source of continuing education hours offered at no charge to its membership. It is an important link between the veterinary community and the public it serves.
Garfield the cat always said "DIET is DIE with a T". However, THE most common health problem encountered in our pets today is OBESITY. Like us humans, they enjoy eating good food too! And today, we have an unprecedented array of diets to feed our cats and dogs. And a vast number of "special" treats for our friends! But there are risks to overeating and excessive weight.
In general, you should be able to feel your pet's ribs easily, but not be able to see them. In some deep-chested breeds of dogs (i.e., greyhounds), however, it is normal to also see the outline of their ribs. Your pet should maintain a "waist", an indented (or concave) flank area in front of the hindlimbs. Cats can accumulate fat on their abdomen, but it should never be allowed to get to the point where it sways while they walk. If your pet looks like a miniature footstool, they are obese!
Many of us have been warned by our MDs about our own weight and the attendant health risks. Excessive weight adversely affects our hearts and joints. Not surprisingly, heart disease and arthritis in our pets can be exacerbated by excess weight. The more weight our dog or cat carries, the harder the heart has to work and the more stress on their joints. This is especially true of large dogs. Even though cats are much smaller than most dogs, they are not exempt from the negative effects of obesity. In fact, obesity can lead to even more health risks in cats, including diabetes and hepatic lipidosis (a severe liver disease, which can be fatal). Cats that are overweight often do not groom themselves well, predisposing them to matted fur and skin disease.
To control or reduce your pet's weight, there are really only 2 options: reduce the number of calories going in and/or increase the number of calories being expended. The first step is to decrease the AMOUNT of food your pet eats. It's important to actually measure how much food you feed your pet daily; that gives you a starting point and helps you communicate with your veterinarian. If decreasing the amount of food is not working or your pet is acting like you're trying to starve him/her to death, you may need to switch to a "LIGHT" diet lower in calories. There are many good weight reduction diets on the market. Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about diets and how much to feed. The second option is to increase their EXERCISE level. Encourage more playtime, take longer walks, etc. Even cats can get more exercise; use toys to encourage more activity.
The best way to monitor your pet's weight is to WEIGH them. You can use your scale at home if your pet is small. Or better yet, stop by your veterinarian's clinic for a weigh-in. Most veterinarians are happy to let you use their scale; that way they can keep track of the weights and your progress. You can also have someone who does not see your pet regularly feel for ribs and look at your pet from a distance to give you some feedback.
Please feel free to contact your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding your pet's weight, the amount or type of food they should be eating, or how they are progressing.