Pet Obesity Management: Beyond Just Diet
For people who live with or advocate for companion animals, managing the weight of the animals that share our homes can sometimes be a challenging affair. As with humans, obesity is not a simple condition that is caused by eating too much; it is what’s called a “multifactorial condition” and it’s something that needs to be treated as a complex nutritional problem that requires a comprehensive solution. Food and exercise plans are important aspects of weight management, but for companion animals these plans often fail because neither veterinarians nor human companions acknowledge the complex nature of pet obesity.
This study, from the Veterinary Clinics of North America journal, looks at how to holistically address companion animal obesity, and with good reason. Based on current numbers, an estimated 34-59% of dogs and 25-63% of cats are either overweight or obese. While measurements and definitions of obesity can vary (which accounts for the ranges), even the most conservative measurements suggest a far-reaching problem.
Moreover, human companions may not be taking these diagnoses seriously: in two separate studies, 39% of pet owners underestimated their pet’s Body Condition Score (or BCS, a measure that includes weight), even after knowing their vets’ assessment. Among the approximately 50% of respondents who correctly identified their pets’ BCS as higher than ideal, they still did not consider their pet to be overweight. There may be a constellation of factors that contributes to these misperceptions, but it’s important to note the discrepancy when considering the health of companion animals.
The obesity epidemic is potentially expensive (though exact costs for the associated veterinary work are almost impossible to estimate), but more importantly it is a health risk to our pets. Veterinary medicine is lacking in studies that establish a direct causation between obesity and other ailments, which is well-established for humans. But it seems fair to assume that evidence of obesity’s correlation with other negative health conditions, from diabetes to osteoarthritis to shortened lifespan, would also apply to pets.
Treating companion animal obesity often involves diet plans and exercise. What the researchers here found is that the most valuable exercise integrates human-animal interaction. The first and perhaps most difficult step in integrating this is to start an active discussion about pet obesity with veterinarians and human companions. The researchers note that there are different ways to go about it. They discuss a “comparison example,” in which “drawing on similarities may prove helpful.” For example, if a human companion were to say, “I know I’d rather have a cookie than kibble,” a potential veterinarian response could be, “In moderation, treats are fine, but, just like us, our pets could get sick if they ate only candy or cookies all the time. Would you like to discuss a possible weight management plan that includes balanced food and treats that your pet likes?”
They also discuss a potential “emotional example,” where veterinarians address emotional statements that a human companion might make, such as “It would be cruel to ‘starve’ my pet and not give him whatever food he wants,” by noting that “overweight pets are more likely to be in pain and can have emotional disturbance.” In either case, the authors here emphasize “partnering with pets to achieve wellness,” and note that “weight management plans can be created with pet owners that strengthen their relationship with their pets and do not threaten their bonds.”
If obesity is a multifactorial problem, and if the lives of companion animals are generally under our control, awareness among human companions is crucial in managing the companion animal obesity problem. Rather than seeming like more work, this comprehensive approach suggested here offers “many novel aspects of obesity treatment, even many yet to be investigated, that can lead to a rewarding and enriching owner and veterinarian experience.” The lives of humans and their companion animals are intertwined and have evolved over time; the same can be true of our views on pet obesity.