Written by Dr. Kellie Lewis, DVM
The Problem with “Weight Creep”
Just like humans who gradually put on the pounds over the years, it is equally as common for our dogs and cats to slowly (or quickly!) put on weight once they become adults. This is known as the “weight creep.” Multiple factors lead to this expanding waist line, including spaying/neutering, a lack of activity throughout the day, and overeating.
Everyone knows how important it is for people to stay fit and active, but do you know how much extra weight affects our cat and dog’s quality of life?
A Little Extra Weight Can Mean a Shorter Life
Purina performed a “Lifetime Study” in 2002 in which it placed Labradors into two different categories throughout their entire lifetime: a restricted calorie diet and a non-restricted calorie diet. The results were astounding. Dogs on a restricted calorie diet lived nearly 2 years longer than the indulged group!
Not only did they live two years longer on average, they had a better quality of life and showed delayed aging symptoms, compared to the unrestricted group. Overweight dogs have a significant risk of tearing their cruciate ligament (comparable to the human ACL), requiring surgery.
Why a Healthy Weight Matters for Dogs and Cats
Obese cats are much more likely to develop Diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease (a life threatening complication), arthritis, and skin issues. These health problems are costly to manage and all decrease your cat’s quality of life.
I think we can all agree that having our pets live long, healthy, and comfortable lives is everyone’s goal, so how do we manage the factors that lead to “the creep?”
What Causes Weight Gain in Our Pets?
Spaying/Neutering: Adjusting for a Slower Metabolism
These surgeries are very important for the health of our pets as well, but do lead to a decrease in the body’s metabolic rate. Therefore, after spaying/neutering, if your pet is no longer growing, then we should decrease calories by up to 30% to maintain an ideal weight.
Lack of activity: Keep Them Moving
Activity isn’t just good for the waistline, but also for the brain and emotional wellness of our pets. Most pets live a sedentary lifestyle because owners work all day. Going on walks, off leash hikes, playing fetch, or sending pets to doggie daycare can be helpful to keep them active.
Overeating: Where the Creep Really Adds Up
This is the category where we have the most control and is the most cost-effective.
“I follow what the bag says” is the most common response we get to how much are you feeding. But that’s not where it ends.
Are you truly measuring the amount? Is it a flat scoop or a rounded scoop? How many treats does your pet get per day? Are you feeding people food? This is where the creep really starts to snowball.
Treats, Table Scraps & the Calories We Forget
Americans love to feed their pets like they feed themselves, however, our pets have much smaller bodies. Treats, people foods, and not measuring kibble are the number 1 reason that a significant number of pets are overweight or obese.
Helping Your Pet Reach (And Maintain) a Healthy Weight
Our team is passionate about helping your pets live their best lives. And that starts at home. Our doctors can help determine your pet’s ideal weight and perform a calorie count and diet evaluation to help you get your pet to a weight that supports longevity, improved quality of life, and decreases comorbidities.
Don’t Let “The Creep” Steal Years From Your Pet
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do to support your pet’s long-term health and happiness. Small changes in portions, treats, and daily activity can make a big difference over a lifetime.
Don’t let “the creep” steal years away from you and your furry companion.
