Obesity Control

Obesity is a term for any animal which weighs 15% more than it should. Just as with humans, it is not cute and carries significant health risks. And, again just like humans, obesity is a disease that predisposes your pet to many other diseases, including:

• Diabetes;
• Heart disease;
• High blood pressure;
• Arthritis;
• Heat intolerance;
• Fatty liver;
• Increased surgical/ anaesthetic risk;
• Decreased resistance to common diseases; and
• Slower recovery from illness.

Overfeeding your pet does it no good at all; every extra calorie is shortening your pet’s life. Your whole family, including children and domestic helpers, need to be aware of the importance of your pet’s diet.

• It is better to provide two to three small meals a day. This increases your pet’s metabolic rate and so increases the rate of weight loss;
• ONLY give water to drink. It is a common misconception that cats need milk; in fact dairy products cause gastro-intestinal disease in many cats;
• Give your pet attention that is non-food related with more exercise and more games. Cut down the number of treats;
• Ask your vet for a target weight and monitor your pet’s weight weekly. This will give you an idea of progress, and the motivation to keep going. It will also provide the basis for your vet to give further advice. Be committed to the weight loss program;
• Your vet can advise you which diet is most suitable for your pet. This might be a commercially available diet or, in more severe cases, a prescription weight reduction diet;
• A prescription weight reduction diet has fewer calories but appropriate concentrations of essential proteins and fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. If you attempt to treat obesity by feeding reduced amounts of a normal diet, you may cause deficiency diseases in your pet.

Score your pet’s body condition by downloading the Hill’s Body Condition Guide and download our obesity information sheet here.