Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Obesity in dogs and cats is a growing health problem
By Boland, Zara·Published in Companion Animal·2014·Practising clinical vet and founding director of Vet Voice·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Companion animal obesity: a silent epidemic?
Plain-English summary
Obesity is a growing problem for pets, with estimates showing that about 45% of dogs and 40% of cats in the UK are overweight or obese. In the USA, this number could be as high as 55%. Being overweight can lead to serious health issues and affect your pet's quality of life. To help manage your pet's weight, veterinarians recommend using body condition scoring to assess their size and implementing specially formulated weight loss diets along with exercise and lifestyle changes. These strategies can significantly improve your pet's health and well-being.
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Abstract
Veterinary estimation in the UK puts the number of overweight or obese dogs at 45% and that of cats at 40%. The actual figures may well be higher than this and are thought to have reached 55% of all dogs and cats in the USA. There are numerous risk factors that predispose to obesity, and the resultant effects on health, longevity and quality of life are diverse and severe. Body condition scoring is both a simple and an excellent tool to assess patients and empower clients to take control. Currently, specially formulated weight loss diets combined with appropriate exercise and lifestyle changes remain the mainstay of veterinary treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2014.19.5.240