Overweight cat

Obesity is the most common health problem in pet dogs, cats and rabbits. In the UK, around 40% of dogs, 50% of cats, and 30% of pet rabbits are overweight or obese. We understand sometimes you can't resist giving your pet an extra treat, sometimes you don't even realise how obese your pet has become. 

When it comes to this, it's time to act, so our vet expert friends at Vetstream have pulled together the info you need about obesity in dogs, cats and rabbits.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Pets are considered overweight when they weigh 10-20% above their ideal body weight. More than 20% over is considered obese. Being obese has an impact on welfare, health and quality of life.

In the wild, animals can regulate the amount of food that they eat. They also use more energy to find their food, either by hunting or foraging.

But as pet owners, we treat our pals to the best food for as little work as possible. We can't resist giving them that extra treat! Unfortunately, this can lead to obesity and can be detrimental to their health.

What Causes Obesity in Cats, Dogs and Rabbits?

Obesity is generally caused by consuming too many calories and not getting enough exercise. Some breeds are more prone to obesity. Age also plays a role, with middle-aged pets being most at risk due to them requiring less energy.

Obesity is more common in females, and neutered pets are more at risk. Neutering alters hormones which can cause their metabolism to slow down. You’ll need to make alterations to your pet's diet and exercise throughout their life to keep them fit and healthy.

Excess weight can also be caused by the following diseases:

  • Hypothyroidism: the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the thyroxine hormone, which is used to regulate the metabolism. This causes the metabolic rate to slow down.
  • Insulinoma: a tumour in the pancreas which causes excessive amounts of insulin to be produced.
  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease): a tumour on the pituitary or adrenal glands, which causes an overproduction of hormones that can cause an increased appetite.

Speak to your vet about your pet’s weight gain so that they can rule out any diseases.

Obesity in Cats

Some of the most common cat breeds that are prone to obesity are:

If your cat is overweight or obese, you’ll also notice changes to their behaviour. Your cat’s obesity will make them lazy, so they’ll spend more time sleeping or lying about. They’ll be less likely to wander around, climb or ask to go outside, and they’ll be noticeably less playful.

Getting an obese cat to exercise can be tricky, but it’s needed to help them lose weight. Fortunately, most cats are quite playful.

Introduce some new toys and take time to play with your cat throughout the day in short bursts. Encourage them to go outside as much as possible. Particularly before feeding your cat, as this will trigger their natural hunting instincts and get them moving.

Most cats love to climb, which can be difficult with excess weight. Attract cats up perches with toys or hide their food around the house for them to search and find.

Overweight dog

Obesity in Dogs

Some dog breeds may face more risks of obesity than others, this includes:

An overweight dog might become less active because it’s hard work carrying around all that extra weight. You may notice your dog no longer bothers to greet visitors at the door or welcome you home.

They’re unlikely to venture upstairs anymore and are less likely to pick up a toy. They might not be excited to go for a walk. If you do manage to take them out, they will probably walk slowly next to you instead of running.

Obese dogs may eat less, leaving you wondering why they aren't losing weight. This is because they don’t use up enough energy to burn fat. Wandering over to the food bowl doesn’t count as exercise.

You need to get your dog moving if you want to see some weight loss. Take them for regular short walks, then gradually increase the length of the walk as they begin to lose weight. You can give new toys and play games like fetch or hide their favorite toy for them to find. You can also experiment with healthier dog food alternatives with less preservatives.

Overweight rabbit

Obesity in Rabbits

Wild rabbits have to be active in order to find food and stay safe. This helps them to maintain a healthy weight. But pet rabbits don’t have to work so hard as we hand deliver their dry food.

Lack of exercise and too much food or an incorrect diet will lead to weight gain. But breed can also make them more prone to obesity.

Some of the most common bunny breeds to be affected by obesity are:

Your obese rabbit might not be as excited to leave its bed or eat new food. You won’t see them running around their enclosure as much, if at all. You’ll also start to notice physical changes like a less healthy coat. This is because they won’t be able to groom themselves as effectively.

One way to get your rabbit moving and help them to lose weight is to hide their food around their enclosure. This will help them by having to work harder to eat – much like they would in the wild.

Consider what kind of space your rabbit has to run around in. Is their space relatively small and is the terrain all flat? Give them access to as much outdoor space as possible and add in slopes or steps for them to use. Uneven terrain is harder work so requires more energy and muscle usage, which burns fat.

You can also give your rabbit new toys to play with or a bunny companion to help to get them moving.

Is My Pet is Obese?

Weight gain is often gradual, so you won’t notice much change to start with. You may not notice the difference in your pet’s appearance until you look at an old photograph. For most people, they don’t realise their pet is obese until a vet points it out.

To check if your pet is a healthy body weight, gently feel their backbone and ribs with your hand. If your pet is a healthy weight, you’ll be able to feel bones without pressing too hard. If you can see bones, your pet may be too thin. If you can’t feel the backbone easily then your pet is overweight.

Other signs of being an obese pet include a sagging stomach, a broad and flat back, and an oval shaped figure. Pets should have more of an hourglass figure, with a distinct taper at their waist, between their tummy and hip socket. Also keep an eye out for changes in their behaviour.

Your vet will be able to tell you if your pet is obese by looking at their body condition scoring. This is an evidence-based measurement of body fat.

How Can I Help My Pet Lose Weight?

Weight loss can be achieved by increasing exercise and following a controlled diet. When reducing your pet’s food intake, you should do so gradually to prevent the weight loss from being too rapid. Gradually decrease your pet's food intake over 3-4 months until they are eating only two thirds of their regular portion. You can also try using a slow feeder bowl so they take longer to eat their meals.

Veterinary practices can help with pet obesity, offering advice and support to help your pet lose weight. This involves regular visits to measure your pet’s body weight and a food management programme.

Health Risks Linked to Pet Obesity

Obesity in rabbits, dogs, and cats increases their risk of diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems, high blood pressure, and cancer. Obese pets are also more likely to suffer from arthritis due to the extra strain on their joints. This is a painful condition that requires life-long medication.

A morbidly obese rabbit will not be able to clean themselves effectively as they cannot reach all areas. This makes them more at risk from flystrike and mites, which can lead to further health problems.

What Happens When My Pet Reaches Target Weight?

Your pet reaching their target weight is cause for celebration! They’ll be much happier in their lighter body, and you’ll notice positive changes in their behaviour. But don’t let all that hard work go to waste.

Obese pets often gain weight back after losing it, so it's crucial to continue exercising them. This shouldn’t be difficult as they’ll have more energy now they’re not carrying around all that excess weight. You don't have to follow a strict diet anymore, but make sure you still measure the right amount of food for proper weight management.

To determine how much your pet should eat, you can either examine the food packaging or consult your vet. They will provide guidance based on your pet's size, weight, and age. You must watch their weight for 6 months to ensure they don't gain it back. Ideally, visit your vet or veterinary nurse twice a year for a check-up and weigh-in.

Obesity is caused when more calories are taken in than burned through exercise. Certain health conditions can also cause weight gain, so it's best to have a vet check your pet. Obesity in dogs, cats and rabbits can lead to serious health problems.

To help your pet lose weight and stay healthy, control their food and make sure they get regular exercise. Pets that are a healthy weight will have a better quality of life and generally a longer life expectancy.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis, Felis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis, and Lapis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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