The prevalence of obesity A 2022 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) indicated that 59% of dogs and 61% of cats were overweight or obese, reflecting an increase over previous years (APOP, 2023). Unfortunately, this number is increasing. Data from Banfield Pet Hospital (2021) showed that the percentage of dogs diagnosed as overweight or obese increased by 108% between 2011 and 2020, while the percentage of cats diagnosed as overweight or obese increased by 114% during this same time period. Obesity risk factors Obesity in our pets can occur for a variety of reasons. Some cases are caused by underlying disease(s). Other pets become obese due to lifestyle. The first step any veterinarian will take to assess a pet for obesity is to identify these causes. Obesity risk factors identified by Shmalberg (2013) include the following: ● Age: Prevalence increases with age in dogs and decreases in senior cats ● Accepted breed standards ● Overfeeding, especially treats for dogs and free-choice feeding for cats ● Reduced exercise/inactivity Comorbidities and obesity Pet obesity causes many health issues, including metabolic derangement and functional impairments. These impacts can create a financial burden for owners, while also Table 2: Diseases and Health Issues Caused by Obesity Orthopedic Diseases Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Cardiac and ● Concurrent conditions ● Genetic predispositions
Despite the high prevalence of obesity in pets, many owners fail to appreciate this problem, even in overweight dogs and cats. A 2018 international survey found that while most people monitor their own weight regularly, 40% of pet owners do not know their pet’s weight (Better Cities for Pets, 2018). In the same study, only 25% of dog and cat owners described their pet as overweight, even though actual obesity rates in pets are typically much higher. Clearly, owner perceptions of obesity do not accurately reflect reality. Other factors that may influence obesity risk include injury, limited mobility, and diets that are inappropriate for a pet’s lifestyle (Banfield Pet Hospital, 2017). Interestingly, owner obesity has also been identified as a risk factor for obesity in dogs. According to a study of 198 dog–owner pairs conducted in Spain, having an overweight owner is the greatest risk factor for obesity in dogs (Suarez et al., 2022). Role of gonadectomy on the development of obesity Several studies have evaluated weight gain postgonadectomy. There is a documented decrease in metabolic rate that occurs postgonadectomy, and “a decrease in metabolic rate is synonymous with a decrease in caloric requirements” (Root et al., 1996). Therefore, feeding the amount that was fed prespaying or neutering will lead to weight gain. As veterinarians, we must educate clients about necessary caloric adjustments postgonadectomy.
impacting the pet’s QOL. See Table 2 for diseases and health issues caused by obesity.
Respiratory Diseases Urogenital Diseases Miscellaneous
Osteoarthritis
Hyperadrenocorticism Pickwickian syndrome Urolithiasis (Ca oxalate)
Heat intolerance
Fractures (humeral condyles)
Hypothyroidism Tracheal collapse
Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence Transitional cell carcinoma
Exercise intolerance
Cruciate ligament tears Intervertebral disk disease
Diabetes mellitus
Laryngeal paralysis
Increased anesthetic risks
Hypopituitarism Brachycephalic airway syndrome
Mammary neoplasia Reduced life span
Joint disorders
Hyperlipidemia
Valvular endocardiosis Dystocia
Insulin resistance Hepatic lipidosis (cats) Note : Adapted from Graves & Zoran (2019, Table 1) Diagnosing obesity: BCS and MCS Body condition score (BCS) In addition to discussing proper nutrition at every evaluation, all physical exams and interactions with patients should include obtaining and recording the patient’s body
weight (BW) and BCS. Owners are often unaware of healthy weight guidelines, so assigning a BCS may be eye-opening for some owners. In general, BCS scoring is performed as follows:
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