that calorie restriction could negatively affect nutrition. We cannot restrict calories too much with OTC foods and ensure a pet receives all the nutrients they need. Therapeutic diets, in contrast, can aid in calorie restriction while maintaining nutrient intake. Therapeutic diets are formulated “to help modulate either a disease or a condition” (Brooks et al., 2014, p. 4). According to the 2014 AAHA Weight Loss guidelines, therapeutic weight loss diets offer improved satiety control and improved protein levels to help maintain and build muscle. They also allow owners to feed a larger volume of food, due to their lower caloric density. Ensure adequate nutrition Adequate protein intake is critical. See Table 3 from Brooks and colleagues (2014), which shows the minimum protein requirements in diets. A quick rule of thumb for adequate protein is to select foods based on the IBW and provide the following (Brooks et al., 2014):
Additional considerations include consistent availability and affordability. Ensure all family members are on board. Make sure that factors such as toddlers dropping food onto the floor are also considered. Brooks and colleagues (2014) recommend using a scale rather than a measuring cup to be more precise in the amounts fed. Weighing the food is especially important with small pets like cats and small dogs. Using the pet food label, one can usually find the information for Kcal/ kg and translate this into weight amounts for owners. Make sure to allow up to 10% of the total calories per day for treats. Regularly administering treats helps to improve compliance, recognizing the role treats play in the human– animal bond (Brooks et al., 2014). Treats can be the kibble itself; owners do not have to give an actual treat. Most dogs and cats, when food motivated, will accept a treat readily even if it is their regular kibble. Over-the-counter (OTC) or therapeutic diets? Foods are balanced based on overall portion size. Calorie restriction could affect the essential nutrient levels of foods. Therefore, when pets are obese, we need to advise clients Table 3: Minimum Protein Requirements in Diets Minimum Protein Requirements in diets 72 NRC recommended allowances for protein/kg of ideal BW per day
Cats : Provide ≥5 g/kg BW of protein Dogs : Provide ≥2.5 g/kg BW of protein
Minimum protein needed in diet to meet NRC recommended allowances When fed at 80% of RER for ideal BW When fed at 60% of RER for ideal BW
Cat
4.96 g protein/BW (kg) 0.67
89 g/1,000 kcal
104 g/1,000 kcal
Dog 3.28 g protein/BW (kg) 0.75
60 g/1,000 kcal
79 g/1,000 kcal
BW-body weight; NRC-National Research Council; RER-resting energy requirement
Note. Brooks et al., 2014, p. 4, Table 2. Establish an exercise/activity plan
clients should start with at least one 5-minute walk three times per day. Slowly work up to at least 30–45 minutes of walking per day. As a general guideline, Ward (2022) recommends aiming for at least one 30-minute walk per day. We can calculate suggested exercise amounts by either duration (30–45 minutes/day) or distance, where most dogs will expend 1.1 kcal/kg/km at a brisk pace (Brooks et al., 2014). Even if the pet and/or owner cannot walk quickly, sustained walking still offers benefits. Physical exercise for cats Increasing exercise for cats is not always easy. Key measures include active engagement and environmental enrichment. Information for cats can be found on several websites, most notably the Indoor Pet Initiative (https://indoorpet.osu.edu/ home) and Catalyst Council (http://www.catalystcouncil.org/ resources/healthwelfare/). For both dogs and cats, discuss with clients the use of feeder toys, puzzle games, hide and seek, and other options. Provide ideas for environmental enrichment and mental stimulation. Explain to owners that they do need to use a bowl to feed and can utilize different methods to slow pets down and make eating fun. As a general guideline, Ward (2022) recommends engaging cats in at least three 5-minute play sessions per day.
Exercise and activity are other tools with which we can combat obesity. Studies show that a combination of eating less and exercising more is the best way to achieve weight loss in humans, and the same goes for our patients. Brooks and colleagues (2014) point out that physical activity delivers key advantages by: ● Increasing caloric expenditure ● Preserving lean muscle mass ● Promoting behaviors that assist in sustainable weight loss Before creating an exercise plan, assess the physical limitations of family members and the patient. Assess additional constraints, including owners’ schedules, environment (e.g., fence, main roads), time of year, and weather considerations. Furthermore, ensure recognition of any comorbidities that may hamper the pet’s ability to exercise or affect endurance or the type of exercise suggested. If arthritis or injury is a factor, consider low- impact activities and have a rehab specialist design the exercise program, when feasible (Brooks et al., 2014). Physical exercise for dogs The 2014 AAHA guidelines (Brooks et al., 2014) suggest that if a pet does not have arthritis or other contraindications, Obesity, physical activity, and arthritis prevention Many factors contribute to osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. This multifactorial disease process is commonplace, especially as animals age. Though numerous factors play a
role, obesity, when present, is a pivotal contributor to the disease process.
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