What are the risks of having an overweight pet? 3 tips to help your pet lose weight healthily

"My child is cute because he's chubby. He doesn't need to lose weight!" "What!? My child is too fat. What should I do?"

A survey on pet obesity conducted by the Pet Food Institute (PFI) in July 2022 found that 60% of cats and dogs still have room to lose weight, while nearly 30% of cats have body fat exceeding 36%, which is a medium-to-high risk level.

Chubby pets are cute, but what's the problem? These pets are more likely to develop obesity-related illnesses. Below, we've summarized several potential health problems that may arise from overweight cats and dogs.

What risks does obesity pose to pets?



  1. Heart disease: Excessive fat levels in the blood can easily put too much strain on the heart.
  2. Furry pets are more likely to develop diabetes due to obesity. Their bodies' sensitivity to pancreatic hormone will decrease, causing the cells in the body to be unable to respond appropriately to insulin and unable to properly utilize blood sugar, increasing the chance of diabetes.
  3. Obese cats and dogs with pancreatitis are more likely to develop diabetes, often accompanied by abnormal fat metabolism. Metabolic abnormalities such as high triglycerides and high cholesterol can lead to chronic pancreatitis.
  4. Arthritis puts increasing strain on joints, causing increased pain and a decreased desire to move. In severe cases, dogs may even become paralyzed.
  5. A herniated disc is a typical complication of obesity. It's most common in dogs with long waists and short legs, such as dachshunds. Excessive pressure on the waist can cause lower body disability.
  6. Chronic respiratory diseases in cats and dogs may cause panting or other chronic respiratory symptoms due to increased oxygen supply burden due to larger size and weight gain.

3 tips to help your pet lose weight healthily

1. Consult a veterinarian first

Before trying to lose weight for your pet, take it to the veterinarian to make sure it has no existing diseases or other hidden illnesses before trying to help it lose weight.

2. Weight loss exercises

As for dog exercise, walking, swimming, etc. are simple activities that will not cause excessive stress on the dog's joints.

Before taking your dog for a walk, it's important to understand the proper posture, pace, and timing of your walk to help train your dog's discipline for outdoor activities. The recommended daily walking distance varies by dog breed, with the average distance being approximately 5-6 kilometers. Additionally, owners can maintain their dog's activity at home through activities like chewing on the leash or playing scavenger hunts with small amounts of training treats or toys scattered around the house.

As for cats, playing with running wheels, cat teasers, scratching boards, and jumping platforms are all very suitable for cats that are used to staying indoors. It is recommended to spend about 20 minutes with the cat every day. In addition to allowing the cat to exercise, it can also enhance the relationship with the owner.

3. Control your diet

You can feed your pet slimming food according to the veterinarian's instructions. Most slimming foods are changed to low-fat and high-fiber foods. However, please note that because the protein content of slimming foods is average, your pet may feel hungry.

Secondly, owners may be accustomed to letting their pets eat as much as they want, leaving food at home for a long time and letting them eat as much as they want. This can lead to overeating and obesity. Try changing your pet's eating habits to fixed and fixed portions. However, be aware that sudden weight loss can pose health risks to your pet. A gradual weight loss program is recommended, lasting at least six months. Check your pet's weight weekly and monitor their water intake and urine output to determine if they are adapting.