Pet Diabetes Month:
Assess your pet's weight - are they in peril?
With November being National Pet Diabetes Month, it’s time to have an uncomfortable conversation with pet parents across the country. It’s about obesity. If you’re wondering if your pet is overweight or, worse, if you know your pup or kitty is on the porky side, the advice is simple: do something about it.
It’s not cute or funny, it’s unhealthy and can impact quality of life and longevity – limiting the days you can spend with your furbaby.
“Overweight pets are no joke,” confirms Michelle Le Long, COO at pet insurance specialist PD Insurance. “The effect on their health is well-documented, with a litany of problems associated with that extra weight.”
“And what’s more, if you have pet insurance, it’s likely that there will be exclusions in the policy regarding conditions caused by obesity. The reason for this is that allowing your dog or cat to become obese is seen as a form of careless pet parenting.”
The health burden of extra weight
Carrying extra weight literally makes it harder for your pet to move through life, plus a range of medical conditions and issues are associated with overweight pets. In dogs these can include:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Osteoarthritis, especially in the hip.
- High blood pressure.
- Skin disease.
- Heart and respiratory disease.
- Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years).
Cats are far from immune too. With ‘chonkers’ (overweight cats) in vogue on social media channels, consider the adverse effects that can include:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Arthritis, joint stress and injuries.
- Heart disease.
- Urinary tract disease.
- Breathing problems.
- Decreased immune function.
Identifying an overweight pet
It’s a common question lurking in the back of the mind of many a pet parent: is Fido on the heavy side / is Fluffy just that or a bit tubby?
“If you have to ask, it likely means your pet is probably pushing beyond its weight class,” says Le Long. “And that’s the first way of identifying if your pet is overweight: just look at them.”
There’s more to it, of course, including a touch test: you should be able to feel all your dog’s ribs without a thick layer of fat over them. Their chest should be wider than their abdomen. And an overweight dog often won’t have any distinction between chest and stomach, taking on a barrel-like appearance.
Assessing a cat’s weight is somewhat similar; ideally, ribs can be felt with a slight fat covering, while there should be minimal belly fat and an observable waist behind the ribs.
“Some pet parents can feel they’re underfeeding their dogs if they don’t have some chunk to them, but the evidence is clear: lean is better,” says Le Long. “In fact, studies have shown that a lean dog lives longer – generally enjoying a lifespan up to 15% longer.”
Overfeeding, in other words, can be a killer. If in any doubt about your pet’s weight, the advice is simple: “Check with your vet. They will very quickly let you know if your furbaby is looking good or needs to slim down,” she notes.
It’s diet time
Have you come to the realisation that something needs to be done? Le Long says, “If you have a fat cat or a chubby puppy, the best thing you can do is take action and help them on their way to a slimmer, healthier life.”
She advises consulting a vet for specific support and guidance, and provides some tips every pet parent can take to heart and put in place immediately. These include:
- Providing healthy food with accurate measurements; how much can be determined by reading package instructions, seeking advice in reputable online information channels, and, the best option, with vet advice
- Not allowing ‘free feeding’, particularly for breeds that are enthusiastic eaters. Instead, offer carefully measured food once or twice per day.
- Exercising your pets. Dogs especially require regular outings and a chance to stretch their legs, whereas indoor cats can be encouraged to climb cat trees and explore toys.
- Avoiding ‘table treats’ and human food. In addition to obesity, excessively rich food can cause illnesses such as pancreatitis in dogs and cats.
Finally, Le Long says pet insurance is a great way of looking after your pet’s health during a wide range of unexpected illnesses and injuries, as it can make vet bills the least of your worries.
She also cautions, “But remember: most policies don’t cover diseases or problems arising from obesity. That’s because obesity is a preventable issue, and every responsible pet parent should be looking out for the health and wellbeing of their prized pup or kitty.”
Media contact
Leandri Smith – The Mail Room
027 365 9003 | [email protected]