For the past eight years, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has compiled survey information from veterinarians and pet owners from around the United States. The information focuses on overweight animals, a major health threat that is facing our pets today. 

Survey Findings

Data from the 2014 survey determined that in the United States, the following pet numbers qualify as being either obese or overweight:

• 57.7 million dogs
• 81.2 million cats

The survey further identified the interesting discovery that a high percentage of owners incorrectly recognized their overweight pet as being of normal weight:

• 95% of dog owners
• 90% of cat owners

Facts Clients Should Know

Pets that are overweight or obese often see health problems such as:

• Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Osteoarthritis
• Kidney disease
• Various cancers, particularly intra-abdominal cancers
• Heart and respiratory diseases
• Cranial cruciate ligament injury
• Bacterial skin infections
• Fungal ear infections
• Decreased life expectancy

It doesn’t take much weight gain to put a pet at risk for developing these serious medical conditions:

• Dogs:
• As little as five pounds above ideal weight
• Cats:
• As little as two pounds above ideal weight

Clients often assume that their pet’s weight gain is due to a lack of exercise, age, or eating too many treats. It is important to explain that while these may be the reasons, it is also possible that the weight gain is the result of a medical condition. Clients should be informed to never put their pet on a diet without checking with their veterinarian first.

Medical Causes of Weight Gain

Medical conditions that need to be ruled out include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Since low thyroid hormone production is a very common disease that can contribute to weight gain, clients can be made aware to watch for symptoms that include:
• Cold intolerance
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Dry skin and coat
• Lethargy
• Skin infections
• Wounds that are slow to heal
• Lack of mental alertness
• Cushing’s Disease
• Increased appetite and Cushing’s disease seem to go hand-in-hand. Other symptoms that clients can watch for include:
• Increased thirst and urination
• Chronic skin infections
• Panting
• Potbelly abdomen
• Symmetrical hair loss along sides of the body
• Cranial cruciate ligament injuries
• Thin skin

Other causes that can be attributed to weight gain include:

• Stress
• Arthritis
• Respiratory conditions
• Heart disease
• Ascites
• Certain medications, including:
• Phenobarbital
• Prednisone
• Prozac

When Weight Gain Does Not Have a Medical Cause

If weight gain is not due to a medical condition, clients need to be educated on ways to provide:

• Nutritional and balanced meal products that are designed to support safe weight loss.
• Methods for increased physical activity that take into consideration the health and well-being of the pet.

Clients Should Know to Recognize Symptoms

Because clients may not always recognize that their pet is becoming overweight, directing their attention to changes in everyday behaviors could help them identify the following signs of weight gain:

• Decreased interaction with family members
• Lack of energy
• Less playfulness
• Increased sleep time
• Appear to be lazy

Clients can be shown how to easily identify the body condition of their pet. For instance:

• Pet is at a healthy weight when:
• Ribs are easily felt
• Stomach doesn’t sag
• Waist is easily noted when viewed from above
• Pet is overweight when:
• Ribs are difficult to feel under the fat
• Stomach sags
• Back is broad and flat
• Waist is barely visible or is absent

Advising clients of how unhealthy it is for a pet to become overweight may encourage them to make knowledgeable choices for their pet’s weight health.
Want to know more about keeping pets healthy? Contact your Covetrus representative today by calling 855.724.3461.