Health concerns related to pet obesity
Did you know pets that maintain a healthy weight can live up to 2.5 times longer1 than overweight ones? That’s because even though adipose (fat) tissue has many important bodily functions, too much fat contributes to a slew of health concerns:
Heart disease: Extra weight increases the workload of the heart and may be associated with or worsen a variety of heart-related conditions, such as valvular degeneration and cardiomyopathy.
Diabetes: Adipose tissue is a big player in blood sugar regulation, and too much of it increases the risk of insulin resistance, diabetes and other endocrine conditions.
Respiratory problems: Excess fat in the chest, abdomen or upper airways can affect an obese pet’s ability to breathe properly and may also contribute to poor sleep.
Joint problems: Added weight means added stress on your pet’s joints, leading to painful conditions like osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Hypertension: Obese pets are more likely to have high blood pressure and should be regularly monitored for hypertension.
Kidney disease: High blood pressure puts extra stress on the kidneys, which may lead to irreversible kidney damage.
Cancer: Although the cause is not yet fully understood, there is a link between obesity and certain forms of cancer in humans, and a similar relationship is now being found in animals, too.
Quality and quantity of life: Perhaps the most important factors to consider are the length and quality of time you have with your beloved pet. Studies show that staying in shape can lead to a longer life. Set your pet up for a long, fulfilled life by taking steps to prevent excess weight gain.
Unsure if your pet might be tipping the scales? Contact your VCA veterinarian to set up a consultation.
1 https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2019-03-01/study-finds-overweight-dogs-live-shorter-lives
