Obesity in pets can result in serious health effects, such as reducing the lifespan of your dog or cat, even if they are only moderately obese.
Excess body fat can affect multiple areas of the body, including bones, joints, digestive organs and the organs responsible for breathing capacity.
It is very important to assess and monitor your pets weight for the health and well being of your pet.
Taking a quick assessment of optimal body weight could be the start to lengthening your dog or cat’s life.
So how do you know if your pet is a little on the heavy side? The following points will help you to assess if your pet is overweight and how you can help them loose or prevent the excess weight.
Your Pet Has Lost their Figure
When looking at your pet from the side, the area just before the hind legs should view as though it is “tucked up”. From their ribs to their hind legs it should not appear as a flat line along the base of their belly.
It may be hard to view the shape of your pet if they have a heavy/long haircoat. If this is the case, simply run your hands along the outline of your pet as this should reveal these natural curves.
You Can No Longer Feel Your Pet’s Ribs
Your Pet is Food Obsessed
Your Pet is Uninterested/Unable to Exercise
Your Pet Suffers More in the Heat
In addition to an overweight pet’s body having to work harder just to move around, overweight pets overheat easily. Fat is a great insulator. This condition is known as heat intolerance, and will put overweight pets at a great risk of getting heat stroke.
Support Tools for a Healthier Pet
In most cases, obesity is caused due to overfeeding and the intake of high calorie foods as well as not enough exercise. In order to get your dog or cat back on track, it is best to seek your vet for a diet and exercise plan. Every pet is different and therefore require will require different diet and exercise plans to follow.
If you do think your pet is a little on the heavy side, start by trying to exercise them more, however only for short amounts of time. In addition to this, consider alternative foods if your pets current diet includes high calorie foods.
Is your cat trying to tell you something? Find out how to ready your cats body language here.
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