Is your lovely furry friend overweight? Let’s help them get back into shape

It is not just humans who put on weight if they eat too much and do not get enough exercise – pets do too. The dieting advice is similar for both: lose the weight slowly and sensibly.

“There are multiple studies confirming that almost half of cats and dogs are overweight,” says Petra Koelle, senior doctor at an animal clinic run by the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, in Germany.

The Body Condition Score (BCS), which is the pet version of the Body Mass Index, is a common method used to assess an animal’s body.
Ideally, cats and dogs should have a clearly visible waist and an upwardly slanting abdomen. The ribs should not be visible but easily felt.

“Since so many pets are overweight, most people have simply got used to it and even perceive dogs and cats who are a healthy weight as being too thin,” says Uta Wilmer, a veterinary surgeon specialising in nutrition for dogs and cats.

Dogs and cats often put on weight if they are given too many treats in between meals. Treats are packed with calories – similar to chocolate, crisps and other snacks for us humans. The animal may be happy when they get one, but the owner is not doing them any favours in the long term.

The list of harmful effects of being overweight is long: animals are more likely to have problems with their joints, skin and allergies. They are at a higher risk of diabetes and even tumours. If they have to undergo an operation, the risk of complications under anaesthesia increases.

Being overweight is particularly problematic for dogs who already have trouble breathing, such as pugs or French bulldogs. As fat accumulates around the neck, it becomes even more difficult for them to breathe. Animals that are already overweight at an early age are also prone to joint diseases.

“Several studies have shown that overweight dogs live two to three years less on average than their counterparts with the ideal weight,” explains Koelle.

In dog years, that is a very long time. The average lifespan for a dog is 12 to 13 years, so being overweight can rob the animal of a quarter of their life. Even overweight cats die earlier on average than those with a normal figure.

Genes also play a role in whether an animal is slim or full-figured. Greyhounds and many hunting dogs rarely tend to be overweight; while among cats, the Oriental shorthair is naturally sleek in build.

Labradors, beagles, pugs and dachshunds, on the other hand, are prone to putting on weight, as they love to eat and never get full. Castrated and older animals are also at a higher risk of obesity, as they have lower calorie requirements.
So what can you do to get your pet back into shape? Vets advise against simply reducing the amount of food you give them.

“This leads to a lack of nutrients,” says Wilmer. Your pet should not lose more than one to two per cent of its weight per week – losing too much weight too quickly can lead to the dreaded yo-yo effect.

Ask your vet about special diet foods for pets, which contain all the nutrients they need but fewer calories.

However, before putting a pet with a liver or kidney disease on a diet, you should discuss this with a vet in advance, as these four-legged friends have special requirements.

Weigh your pet once a week at the same time to check on their progress.

It is best to avoid treats between meals, although carrots, rice cakes or low-calorie treats are a healthy option. Feeding your pet scraps from the dining table is an absolute no-go, no matter how much they beg. Stroking them, playing with them or taking them for a walk are all better ways to show affection.

It is important to weigh the amount of food for each day. Cats should only receive small portions anyway, but ideally should be fed up to 10 times a day. This is most in keeping with their nature. If you cannot do so yourself, consider getting an automatic feeder to help out.

If you feed your dog dry food, you can take some with you when you go for a walk and give it out as a reward for listening to you or behaving well on the walk.

With cats, you can hide their food so they have to look for it or you can play a game where they have to try and catch it. Making your cat or dog work for their food has a number of advantages: it stops them from getting bored and strengthens the bond between you and your pet.

Further dietary tricks that also work on humans include using a smaller bowl, so that the portion looks bigger, according to Wilmer.
Depending on the animal’s preferences, add some grated vegetables such as cucumber or carrots to the food. This does not add too many extra calories, but pads out the meal.