New scientific evidence points to fat tissue as being biologically active and not in a good way. Obesity is a major health crisis for companion animals and it’s often overlooked. About 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese. Plus, it is estimated 30 percent of horses are now considered obese.
Obesity now is generally thought of as a chronic, low-level inflammatory condition.”
Source: Morris Animal Foundation, October 14, 2022. Link. Weight-loss programs for companion animals fail for many reasons and for veterinarians, discussing weight loss with companion animal owners can be difficult.
For veterinarians, the keys to successful pet weight loss include continuous, active engagement with owners, and tailoring weight-loss strategies to fit the companion animal and owner’s lifestyles.
INSIGHTS: A colleague recently shared her veterinarian asked her, “Do you think <your dog> is doing okay on maintaining a good weight for its breed?” This question engaged the owner to make a judgement. It also helped open a discussion about the pet’s ideal weight, diet choices and the treating behaviors of the owner, softening the potential discomfort of the discussion.