Download Common Causes of Weight Gain

Is my pet fat?
Who here can honestly say they’ve never slipped their dog or cat a treat from the table?
Or let them lick the ice cream bowl? We all want to give treats to our pets, but those
extra treats are full of extra calories and fats. And just as in people, those extras can
cause problems for your pets. Overweight and obese pets are more prone to injury,
disease, and illness. Some of these include:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Kidney Disease
Respiratory Disease
Arthritis
Shortened Life Expectancy
just to name a few! We all want to keep our pets around for as long as possible. So how
do we start a weight loss program? Or maintain a healthy weight? First we need to
understand and identify the factors that caused the problem in the first place.
Common Causes of Weight Gain
Overeating
Many of us work and feel guilty about leaving our pets alone all day. So we overfill the
bowl when we get home or give handfuls of treats and table scraps. Sure, the pets love us
for it, but this isn’t helping. Use a measuring cup to figure out how much you are
actually feeding your pet and then compare that amount to what you should be feeding—
you may surprise yourself!
Decreased Activity
This summer was hot! It was hard to just get outside much less run around with your
pets. But now the cooler days are here—no more excuses! Time to get outside and play!
As pets age they tend to be less active as well. If this is the case with your pet, make sure
to switch them to a lower calorie food for less active seniors. Other causes for decreased
activity could be injury or illness. If your usually active pet has become lethargic,
schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any illness.
Spaying/Neutering
It is true that many pets who have been “fixed” experience some weight gain. However,
the surgery itself is not to blame. When a pet is spayed or neutered the hormone levels
are reduced in turn lowering the metabolism. Most pets will require fewer calories on
average after surgery. Weight gain should not be an expected side affect of spaying or
neutering.
Disease
There are some diseases such as low thyroid that can cause excessive weight gain.
Steroid therapy or anti-seizure medications can also lead to obesity. If your pet is
affected by any of these conditions talk with your veterinarian about a nutrition plan that
works best for your pet.
So How to Start?
Weight loss starts with reducing calorie consumption and increasing activity levels. Start
by completely cutting out table scraps. These foods are formulated for humans, not dogs
and cats. Human food tends to have more fats, salts, and calories than are needed by our
pets. Now this doesn’t mean you can’t treat your pets, but try offering healthier
alternatives such as carrots, whole wheat crackers, or small amounts of fruit. Dog
biscuits can still be given, but maybe give half at a time or a few kibbles of their regular
food instead.
Before cutting back the amount of food your pet is eating we recommend measuring the
amount you are currently feeding. Some “scoops” can hold up to 5 cups! Measure what
your pet is getting and start cutting back in ¼ cup increments. Cutting back on food too
quickly can leave some pets feeling starved and could lead to begging. Pet foods do
come with a feeding guide, but those guidelines are set up for the pets’ ideal weight, not
necessarily their current weight. There are several prescription foods on the market made
for weight loss and weight maintenance. These foods are formulated to have fewer
calories and increased fiber to help your pet feel fuller longer. Speak with your
veterinarian if you think these foods might be right for your pet.
Time to increase activity! Start small if your pets are very heavy, a short walk around the
block or maybe just a stroll to the mailbox. It is hard to find the time or energy at the end
of a long workday, but try to have some activity for your pets every day. Throw a
crumpled up piece of paper to the cat while you’re fixing supper, or have the kids throw
the ball for the dog. Setting up play dates with neighbors’ dogs or helping a friend
socialize a new kitten can quickly increase the activity levels of your pets. Outdoor
exercise should be done in the mornings or evenings to avoid overheating. Indoor cats
might enjoy chasing a laser pointer or “hunting” for food hidden around the house. There
are also several toys out there that release food rewards when played with. Instead of
treats, fill these toys with a measured amount of kibble. Be sure to include the amount of
“fun food” in your pets’ daily ration of feed.
Obesity can shorten a pets’ life span as much as two years! By showing a little tough
love we can help our pets stay with us as long as possible. When you help your pets shed
those extra pounds you will notice the quality of their lives improving. You might also
notice current symptoms such as labored breathing or stiffened joints starting to lessen.
By being active with your pets you will only increase the bond you have with them and
keeping them healthy will help you to better enjoy your time together.