Does

you

r pet �p the scales?

Your Guide to

PET OBESITY

Obesity is a national problem for our pets these days and in

our surgery we see a number of dogs and cats who are overweight or obese. These pets may have already developed weight-related illnesses or be on the verge of doing so. We would rather help their owners with a controlled weight loss plan designed for the individual animal than have to treat an animal for a condition that could have been avoided with correct feeding and exercise.

It is always easier to prevent a problem than it is to cure it and feeding correctly with an energy intake regulation whilst providing the correct nutrients is relatively easy with prepared pet foods; regular, sufficient exercise and appropriate treats.

Weight control starts with being able to recognise when your pet is overweight, underweight or the correct size and accept that change needs to be made if necessary. Your vet will be able to help you and many surgeries, as are we, are happy for pet owners to pop in to weigh their pet regularly. It is easy to be unaware of a gradual change in weight, but as they say ‘the scales can’t lie’!

Jo Scott & Vaughn StomanSpringbok Veterinary Groupspringbokvetgroup.co.uk

FOREWORD

When standing above your pet take a look at their back. You should see some gentle curves, with a slight dip

after their ribs and a gradual dip at the base of their tail. Your pet’s chest should be wider than their abdomen and there should be a definite waistline.

You should be able to feel your pet’s ribs with gentle pressure, if not then your pet is possibly overweight and will need your help to shift any excess pounds.

If there are noticeable amounts of excess fat around your pet’s abdomen, over the hip bones or over the sternum then it’s likely they’re obese.

You might also notice your pet is not interested in things it used to be, like playing fetch or chasing a toy mouse and they will become breathless or tire more easily than before.

How can I tell if my pet is obese?

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Please talk to your vet before embarking on a weight loss programme for your pets.

It’s estimated that about

40% of UK dogs

and

50% of cats are

overweight**This is according to figures released by the British Veterinary Association in 2016. https://www.bva.co.uk

As pet owners, we want to spend as much time with our cats and dogs as we possibly can but being obese

can have a major effect on your pet’s health including decreasing their life expectancy.

What does it mean if my pet is obese?

LESS is

MORE when it comes to feeding our pets

Less is more when it comes to feeding our pets which will help extend their life expectancy and reduce suffering.

Excess weight in pets can result in arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer.

By helping your pet on its weight-loss journey you’ll be able to enjoy more years with your best friend as well as hopefully avoiding obesity-related vet bills.

The SCALES can’t LIE!

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1

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4

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SIGNS OF OBESITY IN CATS

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are visible. There’s an obvious waist and abdominal tuck.

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A big dip after the ribcage.

Ribs and spine can be felt but not necessarily seen. Ribs can be felt while stroking without much pressure. A waist can be seen when viewed from the side and from above.

Ribs cannot be easily felt as there’s some fat padding. The waist is starting to disappear and looks quite pear-shaped from above.

Ribs are very difficult to feel with some obvious sag in the abdomen. There is no visible waist when viewing from the side or above.

We recommend you consult with your vet before embarking on a weight-loss programme for your pet.

Trying to get your cat to stay still on the scales can prove to be quite a challenge. You can usually tell if you’re living with a cat with obesity just by looking at them.

Where does your cat fall on the scale below?

UNDERWEIGHT

VERYTHIN

IDEALWEIGHT

OVERWEIGHT

OBESE

Your dog’s ideal weight will depend upon a number of different factors, including breed and age.

Where does your dog fall on the scale below?

SIGNS OF OBESITY IN DOGS

2Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A visible hourglass waist.

UNDERWEIGHT

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A big dip after the ribcage.

1 VERYTHIN

The last couple of ribs may be visible, especially when playing or exercising. A waist can be seen when viewed from the side and from above.

3 IDEALWEIGHT

Ribs cannot be easily felt, and fat deposits are visible over the body. The waist is starting to disappear and looks quite pear-shaped from above.

4 OVERWEIGHT

Ribs can no longer be felt, and fat rolls are visible around the neck and chest. There is no visible waist when viewing from the side or above.

5 OBESE

2

1

3

4

5

SIGNS OF OBESITY IN CATS

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are visible. There’s an obvious waist and abdominal tuck.

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A big dip after the ribcage.

Ribs and spine can be felt but not necessarily seen. Ribs can be felt while stroking without much pressure. A waist can be seen when viewed from the side and from above.

Ribs cannot be easily felt as there’s some fat padding. The waist is starting to disappear and looks quite pear-shaped from above.

Ribs are very difficult to feel with some obvious sag in the abdomen. There is no visible waist when viewing from the side or above.

We recommend you consult with your vet before embarking on a weight-loss programme for your pet.

Trying to get your cat to stay still on the scales can prove to be quite a challenge. You can usually tell if you’re living with a cat with obesity just by looking at them.

Where does your cat fall on the scale below?

UNDERWEIGHT

VERYTHIN

IDEALWEIGHT

OVERWEIGHT

OBESE

Your dog’s ideal weight will depend upon a number of different factors, including breed and age.

Where does your dog fall on the scale below?

SIGNS OF OBESITY IN DOGS

2Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A visible hourglass waist.

UNDERWEIGHT

Ribs, spine and pelvic bones are very visible. Bones can easily be felt as there’s no fat cover. A big dip after the ribcage.

1 VERYTHIN

The last couple of ribs may be visible, especially when playing or exercising. A waist can be seen when viewed from the side and from above.

3 IDEALWEIGHT

Ribs cannot be easily felt, and fat deposits are visible over the body. The waist is starting to disappear and looks quite pear-shaped from above.

4 OVERWEIGHT

Ribs can no longer be felt, and fat rolls are visible around the neck and chest. There is no visible waist when viewing from the side or above.

5 OBESE

We provide treats as a reward and as a sign of our love and admiration for these four-legged companions that fill

our lives with so much joy. It’s easy to fall for their meows and puppy eyes play a big part in us giving them a sneaky handful of extra kibble but an overweight pet will not be a happy pet.

Before you develop a structured diet and an exercise plan for your pet

make sure to speak to your vet if you have concerns over your pet’s weight as it could be due to health reasons.

You won’t be alone in helping your dog on their weight-

loss journey. Your vet will be there every step of the

way and seeing real results on the scales will only spur you on. After all, by tackling your pet’s weight you may be adding extra years to your pet’s life that the extra weight

could have stolen.

How can I help my pet with obesity?

The TREATS and the POUNDS could

easily start ADDING

UP

Having a list of dos and don’ts can be quite off-putting, especially as we know our cats and dogs best. There

are just a few things to consider when it comes to our priceless relationships with our pets.

Treats are a great way to tell our cat or dog that they’ve done an awesome job of something, but if they get a treat for every good thing they do then the treats and the pounds could easily start adding up.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your pet snacks, it’s about giving them something else as a reward or using part of their daily portion as their treats instead.

Instead of giving them treats to show your affection why not treat your pets to five minutes of quality time together? Rewards come in all shapes and sizes and don’t have to be edible, your pet will appreciate them all the same. This could be as simple as being allowed outside, letting them off the lead, or given a toy or a cuddle.

Exercising can be the last thing on our minds when we get out of bed or when we come home from work, but our pets love it, and if we want to make them happy shouldn’t we give them what they want? You can always start slow and gradually increase your level of daily exercises and make the most of the toys and play indoors, they can enjoy this just as much.

How can I prevent obesity?

It is always EASIER to PREVENT a problem than it is to CURE it

Hunting games, hidden toys and treats can provide stimulation and exercise when going out isn’t an option.

In terms of feeding, look at the quality of food as well as the quantity of food and that the chosen diet is designed for your pet’s breed and age. This is important, especially to make sure the number of calories your pet requires each day is met.

We recommend that you talk with your vet if you have any concerns about weight.

Rewards come in all

SHAPES and SIZES and don’t have to be EDIBLE,

your pet will

appreciate them all the same

Less treats MORE cuddles

Animal Friends Pet Insurance was founded to generate funds for animal charities while providing pet owners with a top-quality pet insurance service. Between the charities they donate to and the pets they cover, Animal Friends Pet Insurance is dedicated to helping animals to thrive.

We hope that this guide has been useful. There is more helpful information on pet obesity available on our website: animalfriends.co.uk/pet-obesity

Animal Friends:Pet Insurance that matters

Animal Friends Insurance is a trading name of Animal Friends Insurance Services Limited (Registered in England 3630812), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register 307858).

Did you know...Animal Friends has a fast and efficient claims

system that vets can easily access online

called ‘Pawtal’?

When a vet submits your Animal Friends claim

to us using Pawtal:

Your claim will be assessed in 24 hours.*

You’ll receive a text or email when your vet submits a claim on your behalf.*

If your claim is accepted, Animal Friends will pay your vet direct, usually on the same day.

You won’t have to complete any paperwork, your vet will deal with us direct.

Your vet can chat to us instantly on Pawtal live chat if they have any queries.* *Timeframes are subject to office hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) and us having all the required information including full vet history and invoices. The claim is subject to the exclusions and limitations of your Animal Friends policy.

Why not ask your vet to use Pawtal or ask them to visit www.animalfriends.co.uk/pawtal to find out more!

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