Pet Obesity - Causes, Treatment & Prevention | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk (2024)

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Pet Obesity - Causes, Treatment & Prevention | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk? ›

It's mainly caused by eating too much or not exercising enough, although some diseases can also cause obesity. To help prevent obesity in your pet, make sure they maintain a healthy diet and give them plenty of exercise.

Overfeeding – Feeding more than the pet will expend in exercise. Contributing dietary factors include table scraps, high-fat foods, number of meals, number of treats and frequent variation in diet. Lack of exercise – Indoor-only pets are at higher risk of obesity.

When we think of animal cruelty, many of us will imagine a starving, bone-thin animal. Sadly, many cruelty and neglect cases result in emaciated animals. However, abuse also occurs when an owner over-feeds an animal to the point of obesity.

The BSAVA recognises obesity as disease in dogs and cats.

Obesity fits formal definitions of the term “disease”, for example those of the American Medical Association.

Underlying health issues: If your dog doesn't seem to be overeating but is still gaining weight, it could be that their body is lacking a thyroid hormone which leads to low metabolism. If you suspect this is the case, it's something that can be diagnosed by your veterinarian.

It was always accepted that heavy dogs had a shorter lifespan than lean dogs, usually by 6-12 months. But a large, lifetime study of Labrador retrievers found that being even moderately overweight can reduce a dog's life expectancy by nearly two years compared to their leaner counterparts.

Obesity is a common problem in many species of pet animals, from dogs to rabbits to reptiles. Species which seem particularly prone to unhealthy weight gain include rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, skunks, hedgehogs, and some reptiles such as leopard geckos.

“Being just 10% overweight decreases a dog's lifespan by one-third and predisposes him to heart, kidney and liver disease as well as diabetes, arthritis, and cancer,” she says.

Weight gain will occur if calories from the diet do not decrease with the animal's energy requirements. Obesity in pets is usually due to excessive food intake or lack of physical exercise. Owners may view food as a way to reward and treat their pets, which contributes to overfeeding.

What is the medicine for dog obesity? ›

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, pets that are 10-20% over their ideal body weight are considered overweight, while pets 21% and over are considered obese.

The mutation is in a gene called POMC, which plays a critical role in hunger and energy use. Around 25% of Labradors and 66% of flatcoated retriever dogs have the POMC mutation, which researchers previously showed causes increased interest in food and risk of obesity.

Feed more protein and veggies, with no simple carbs … and only healthy fats. Supplement your dog's existing food with add-ins like veggies, fruit, eggs, sardines. You can include non-starchy veggies like broccoli, green beans, celery, or asparagus.

Health Issues. Certain health issues might cause your dog to lose interest in their regular food but continue eating treats. Illnesses such as dental problems, kidney diseases, or neurological conditions can alter a dog's appetite and make them picky about food.

Obesity is generally caused by eating too much and moving too little. If you consume high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but don't burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity, much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat.

Pet “overpopulation” encompasses two primary factors: (1) allowing cats and dogs to reproduce with little chance to find homes for the offspring and (2) pets being relinquished by owners who can no longer keep their animals, or who no longer want them.