Around this time of year, many of us start to think about keeping cool. That often means wearing less and wondering what that’s going to look like! The perfect figure is elusive for most of us…and our pets! The little snack here or there can accumulate over the winter months. When the long coats come off, the results of our edible indulgences become all too obvious.

Weight control is talked about so much, in both human and veterinary medicine. It is an important topic, although there are clear differences between humans and dogs due to the variation in body types that we have created through selective breeding. Having said that, no pet animal should be seriously overweight. As owners, it is up to us to control our pets’ food intake and take steps to regulate it.

Is my pet overweight?

Owners often ask me whether I think their dog or cat is overweight. Some guidance is offered through tables of recommended maximum and minimum weights for many pure breeds of dog but variation between individuals within a breed often makes these comparisons meaningless. I generally use the scales for monitoring an animal’s weight over time and use the “finger-tip” test as a guide to body condition. It’s quite simple, run your fingertips down your pet’s chest and you should be able to feel each rib. If you cannot, it’s probably time to think about a diet.

Methods

The easiest “diet” is just less food. Straightforward? Well, some overweight animals will scavenge relentlessly if the main meal is (in their view) insufficient. So if this is a problem, try one of the reduced-calorie foods that are tailor-made for the over-hungry dog or cat. The best foods maintain essential nutrients without the calories, an important consideration for the fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids. Combining a weight-reducing diet with increased fatty acids can be an important challenge, as it is common for older, overweight dogs to need help with arthritic joints.

One manufacturer produces just such a dog food so may be a good choice for your larger, older, creakier labrador. Just a word of warning about dieting cats; don’t be overzealous! Cats that lose weight too rapidly can suffer a syndrome of excessive fat mobilisation which is then deposited in the liver. This can be life-threatening! So go slowly.

Our nurses at both surgeries will be offering free weight-control clinics. This will involve weight and general health checks and dietary advice, tailored to your individual animal. Both cats and dogs are welcome. Optional extras would be urine and blood tests, just in case abnormal thyroid function is suspected. Regular check-ups (all free!) to monitor weight loss and keep everyone motivated!

One last thought. I have concentrated on the overweight animal. Just as important (and potentially more urgent) is the animal losing weight or chronically underweight. By all means see one of nurses first (bring a urine sample with you if possible) but a full veterinary clinical exam will almost certainly be necessary.