Health risks associated with obesity
The effects of animal obesity extend beyond the aesthetics . People often assume overweight animals are showered in love and view their ‘ chunkiness ’ as endearing , rather than considering the negative impact of excessive fat deposits . The issue is regularly raised in the literature but remains a major concern [ 3 ] . With weight gain , we begin to see ailments including , but not limited to , the following [ 4 ] :
• Formation of decubital ulcers
• Intolerance of exercise
• Unwillingness to stand due to sore joints
• Early-onset arthritis
• Open-mouth breathing due to fat around the trachea
• Increased risk of diseases such as cancer and diabetes .
Causes of weight gain
In short , weight gain is often caused by consuming more calories than are lost through daily life and exercise . A long-term study of labrador retrievers showed that animals with a restricted calorie intake lived longer than those with a higher body condition score ( BCS ), such as 4 +/ 5 or 6 +/ 9 ( Figure 1 [ 5 ] ). The study also highlighted the median age at which the dogs started to show signs of chronic conditions . Dogs with restricted diets developed signs of conditions later in life ( 12 + years ), whereas the overweight animals started to show signs before they were 10 years old [ 3 ] .
Neutering an animal can be beneficial in many ways , including preventing unwanted pregnancies and pyometras in bitches , and eliminating the risk of testicular cancer in dogs . However , neutered dogs and bitches are more than twice as likely to be obese as those that are intact [ 6 ] . Changes in metabolism start as early as the night after the gonadectomy , for example , so changes to the diet must be made almost immediately . The procedure reduces the metabolism of the patient drastically , so a reduction of energy intake of 20 – 30 % in dogs should be made postoperatively [ 7 ] . This should be highlighted to the owner by the veterinary nurse ( VN ) on discharge from surgery . Underlying issues can also be a cause of excessive weight gain . Tests for hyperadrenocorticism , hypothyroidism and heart disease should be carried out if an animal has started to gain weight with no changes to its feeding routine or its environment [ 8 ] .
Possible interventions by VNs
Body Condition Scoring Chart
As dogs are often considered ‘ bottomless pits ’ that will eat whatever is put in front of them , it is important that the correct choice of food is offered . This is something VNs should discuss with owners . Specialist obesity and satiety-inducing foods have been developed by reputable brands to help with weight control . The foods are developed to have lower fat levels and increased fibre content compared with generic dog foods . The protein , vitamins and minerals in these diets are often increased to compensate for the possible decreased bioavailability caused by the increased fibre [ 9 ] .
Giving animals scraps and leftovers from human meals , over and above their own pet food , increases their calorie intake further . When these excess calories are not burnt off , the resulting fat is deposited around the body .
1 / 5 2 / 5 3 / 5 4 / 5 5 / 5
1 / 9 2 / 9 3 / 9 4 / 9 5 / 9 6 / 9 7 / 9 8 / 9 9 / 9
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• Ribs and backbone visible from a distance
• No body fat
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• Ribs may be visible and can be easily felt
• Obvious waist when viewed from above
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• Ribs can be felt without excess fat
• Obvious waist when viewed from above
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• Ribs can be felt with difficulty under heavy fat layer
• Fat visible near base of tail on backbone
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• Fat deposits over neck , limbs and backbone
• Obvious abdominal distention
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Figure 1 . Body condition scoring chart [ 5 ]
Volume 38 ( 2 ) • April 2023
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