Pathology - Overweight

What is overweight?

Obesity is characterised by overweight related to extensive fat deposition, which is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. If your pet eats more energy from its diet than it needs for body maintenance and exercise, the energy surplus will be stored in the body as fat.

Overweight is a quite common problem in pets today. Research shows that approximately 25%-50% of pets are overweight. However, helping your pet keep its ideal weight is important, as overweight or obesity indirectly can cause clinical problems like:

• Diabetes mellitus
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• Liver disease
  
  
• Joint problems
  
  
• Increased risk during surgery and anaesthesia
  
  
• Gastro-intestinal problems like constipation and flatulence
  
  
• Breathing difficulties
  

Helping your pet maintain its ideal weight not only reduces these risks, it can also increase its life expectancy and quality of life.


Factors causing obesity

Too much food
If a pet eats more than recommended in the feeding guide or extra treats are given.

Limited exercise
If a pet is relatively inactive the daily feeding may need to be adapted to its activity level.

Neutering/spaying
Neutering and spaying alters a pet's metabolism so that the daily feeding may need to be adapted.

Age
As pets grow older their activity level may diminish. They will then need less energy.

Breed
Basset Hounds, Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, King Charles Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers and Shetland sheep dogs are predisposed to gain weight.

Medical history
In some cases weight gain is associated with a medical disorder. This may require corrective treatment.

Recommended diets

Symptoms

Diagnosis

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