Obesity in dogs and cats can cause serious health implications and affect their quality of life

In honor of World Pet Obesity Week, let’s talk about obesity in pets.

Maybe you already know that obesity is becoming very common. 33% of cats and 35% of dogs in the USA were considered overweight or obese in 2024 (1). That’s 1 in 3 cats and dogs! But did you know that obesity is actually a serious medical condition?

Excess adiposity (fat) can result in:

Systemic inflammation and biological dysregulation
Increased cancer risk
Increased arthritis risk
Increased respiratory dysfunction
Increased risk for kidney dysfunction
Increased risk for cardiovascular disease
Increased risk for metabolic and endocrine disorders such as diabetes
Decreased quality of life
Increased pain levels

Now that you know why it is important to recognize obesity in our pets, what is it? The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention defines Clinical Obesity as:

“A chronic systemic disease defined by the presence of excessive adiposity

that leads to functional impairments in tissues, organs or the organism as a

whole… This condition is characterized by pathological changes that disrupt

normal physiological processes.” (2)

Preclinical obesity is when a pet has an obese body condition score, but has not developed any negative health outcomes yet. These pets are at risk for serious health consequences. Fat loss must become a priority in order to maintain a good quality of life.

Take a look at these charts and make an honest appraisal of your pets. If your pet has a high Body Condition Score, see below for actionable steps to address this.

If your pet has a high Body Condition Score, what should you do now?

1. Don’t panic and stop feeding you pet!

2. Take your pet to see your veterinarian. You want to start here so that you know you are tackling weight loss safely and that there are no other conditions affecting your pet or their ability to lose weight.

3. Your veterinarian can calculate how many calories your pet should be consuming per day and help you achieve that goal through diet recommendations. They will also calculate what is a safe rate of weight loss.

4. When you do have your calories calculated, make sure you are measuring your pet’s food EXACTLY and keep in mind that treats contain calories as well!

5. Increase satiety by adding vegetables and making sure your pet’s diet is high in protein (provided that is safe for them).

6. Make sure your dogs is getting exercise as is appropriate for them.

7. Track your progress with weigh-ins every 1-3 months.

8. Make sure everyone who cares for your pets are on the same page (ie no one is sneaking them snacks!)

9. Stay motivated. Safe weight loss takes time. Seek support through friends, family and your veterinary team. If you slip up, get back on track. And remember that 60-70% of weight loss comes down to calorie consumption.

If you need support or you want to discuss a personalized holistic approach to managing your pets weight, you can reach me at consultaholisticvet@gmail.com.

Contributed by Dr. Jacki Dantzler, BVMS, CVA, CVWH

1. Ward, Ernie. “2024 Pet Obesity and Nutrition Survey Highlights.” Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2024, www.petobesityprevention.org/2023.

2. Ward, Ernie. “Guidelines for Pet Obesity Communication: Promoting respectful communication about animal obesity.” Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Pg 9. 2019, www.petobesityprevention.org/media-guide-for-pet-obesity-communication.

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