Pet obesity
An estimated 45 percent of all U.S. pets are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. While the best treatment is prevention, it’s never too late to help your pet stay in better shape. Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in dogs and cats. It’s more common with advancing age and in females. Obese animals—those with a 15 percent increase over optimum body weight—have
How do I know whether my pet’s overweight?
If you’re unsure what your pet’s optimum weight should be, perform this simple test: Place your hands on your pet’s rib cage with your thumbs on the back.> If you feel the ribs easily, your pet is considered to be normal weight.
> If you can feel fat between the skin and ribs or the ribs are difficult to feel, your pet is overweight.
> If you can’t feel the ribs, your pet is definitely obese.
In some pets, particularly cats, a large abdomen that hangs down may indicate obesity. It’s important to have this judgment confirmed by your veterinarian; he or she can rule out other diseases that look like obesity such as heart, kidney, or glandular disease.
Your pet is a healthy weight if ...
> You can easily feel its ribs.
> It has a tucked abdomen and no sagging stomach.
> You can see itswaist from above.
> You can easily feel its ribs.
> It has a tucked abdomen and no sagging stomach.
> You can see its
Your pet is overweight if ...
> You have difficulty feeling its ribs.
> It has a sagging stomach, and you can grab a handful of fat.
> It has a broad, flat back and no visible waist.
> You have difficulty feeling its ribs.
> It has a sagging stomach, and you can grab a handful of fat.
> It has a broad, flat back and no visible waist.
How can I help my pet lose weight?
If your animal is overweight, there are usually painless methods for losing those unhealthy pounds. With careful dietary management and oversight by your veterinarian, changes in diet and lifestyle can lead to a much more productive life. There are prescription diet formulations available from your veterinarian that can make dieting easy for you and your pet. Routine walks and playtime combined with sensible feedings can avert the need for medical intervention. As your pet ages, we recommend changing to a low-fat, high-fiber senior maintenance diet. Contact your veterinarian for professional recommendations.
Ideal pet weight ranges
- Labrador retriever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 to 80 pounds
- Golden retriever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 to 75 pounds
- Yorkshire terrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 pounds
- German shepherd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 to 95 pounds
- Beagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 to 31 pounds
- Dachshund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Less than 16 pounds
- Boxer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 to 70 pounds
- Poodles (miniature) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 pounds
- Shih tzu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 to 18 pounds
- Miniature schnauzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 to 15 pounds
- Domestic cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 to 10 pounds
- Persian cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 to 11 pounds
- Siamese cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 to 10 pounds
- Maine coon cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 to 15 pounds
Daily caloric needs for pets
- 10-pound cat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 calories
- 10-pound dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 calories
- 20-pound dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 calories
- 50-pound dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,200 calories
