Obesity in Dogs and Cats

Obesity is a severe and debilitating illness. It is the mostassociated with obesity, obese pets should be
common nutritional disease in pets and people;screened for these disorders prior to treatment for
estimates suggest that up to 45% of dogs and up toobesityThe treatment of obesity involves restricting
13% of cats are obese (many doctors think thesecalories and increasing the metabolic rate via a
estimates are quite low judging by the number ofcontrolled exercise program. Using store bough "Lite"
obese pets they see every day in practice.) Currentdiets is not usually adequate, as these diets are not
medical opinion states that a pet is obese if it weighsdesigned for weight loss but rather weight
15% or more over its ideal weight. While pet ownersmaintenance. Additionally, since many store bought
often use the pet's actual weight to gauge obesity, it isdiets may contain chemicals, by-products, and fillers,
probably more accurate to use a body compositionthey would not be a part of a holistic pet program.
score. Body composition, measured by looking at theHomemade restricted calorie diets would be the first
pet from the top and sides and feeling the areas overchoice for dietary therapy for obese pets (see my
the ribs and spine more accurately reflects obesitybook The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats for an
than a certain magical number.Can pet ownersexample of a homemade diet for overweight pets;)
prevent obesity? Keep in mind that most obese petsprocessed "obesity-management" diets available
are made, not born, that way. Many owners give theirthrough veterinarians would be the second best choice
pets treats and snacks and feed them whenever theas some of these diets may also contain chemicals,
pet begs for food. In essence, these owners areby-products, and fillers. These "obesity-management"
setting their pets up for all of the medical problems thatdiets are used until the target weight is obtained, then
can occur with obesity. While many people whoreplaced with a homemade maintenance diet if
constantly reward these begging behaviors believepossible. Foods which increase metabolism such as
that they are being kind and loving owners, they arevegetables which are high in fiber are included in
actually killing their pets with kindness.Problems that areweight loss diets. Fiber, contained in vegetables,
associated with obesity in pets and people aredecreases fat and glucose absorption; fluctuating
numerous and include orthopedic problems (includingglucose levels cause greater insulin release. Since
arthritis,) rupture ligaments, intervertebral disk disease,insulin is needed for fat storage, decreased or stable
difficulty breathing, reduced capacity for exercise (andlevels are preferred. Fiber also binds to fat in the
in severe cases any movement at all,) heat intolerance,intestinal tract and increases movement of the food in
increased chance for complications due to drugthe intestines, which is of benefit to the obese
therapy (it is more difficult to accurately dosepet.There are several natural therapies that may be
medications in obese pets,) cardiac problems,helpful as part of the treatment of obesity in some
hypertension, and cancer. When you keep in mind thatpets. Suggested therapies include chromium, carnitine,
the excess body fat occurs in the body cavities of theherbs (cayenne, ginger, and mustard,) hydroxycitric acid
chest and abdomen (often being deposited there first)(HCA,) white bean extract, epigallocatechin gallate
as well as under the skin (what we see as "fat",) it is(EGCG,) and coenzyme Q-10. The natural treatments
not surprising all of the medical problems that can beare widely used with variable success but have not
associated with obesity.Because diseases such asbeen thoroughly investigated and proven at this time.
hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus can be