Obesity

Obesity is defined as an accumulation of excess body fat that impairs health and well-being. In pets, it is typically diagnosed when body weight exceeds the ideal by 15-20% or more. It is the most common nutritional disorder in companion animals, affecting an estimated 25-30% of dogs and cats in developed countries.

Symptoms & Signs

• Visible excess body fat
• Inability to feel ribs easily
• Loss of waist definition
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Difficulty breathing
• Lethargy
• Joint stiffness
• Heat intolerance

Causes & Risk Factors

Obesity results from chronic energy imbalance where caloric intake exceeds expenditure. Contributing factors include overfeeding, high-calorie treats, lack of exercise, neutering (reduced metabolic rate), genetic predisposition, age-related metabolic decline, and certain medications (corticosteroids).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves body condition scoring (BCS) on a 1-9 scale, body weight comparison to breed standards, body fat percentage measurement, and assessment of muscle condition. A BCS of 7/9 or higher indicates obesity.

Treatment

Treatment requires a comprehensive weight management program including caloric restriction (typically 60-70% of maintenance calories), increased exercise, portion control, elimination of high-calorie treats, regular weigh-ins, and behavioral modification for both pet and owner.

Prevention

Prevention involves feeding appropriate portions based on life stage and activity level, regular body condition monitoring, providing daily exercise, using measured meals rather than free-feeding, choosing low-calorie treats, and adjusting intake after neutering.

Prognosis

With dedicated owner compliance, most pets can achieve healthy weight within 6-12 months. Obesity significantly reduces lifespan (up to 2.5 years in dogs) and increases risk of diabetes, orthopedic disease, and cancer.

Affected Breeds (33)

Related Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Osteoarthritis
• Cardiac Disease
• Hepatic Lipidosis