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Pet Obesity

Obesity is not just a rising problem among humans; our pets are also suffering from the excesses of modern life. The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) estimated in 2008 that over the previous year alone there had been a 10% rise in the number of overweight animals in the UK, with half a million pets tipping the scales. And in a survey of veterinary professionals, two-thirds said that pet obesity is the single biggest health issue facing domestic animals in Europe.

Being overweight will not only reduce your pet’s quality of life but can cause serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, breathing difficulties and liver and heart problems. In some cases these can even prove fatal, with 96% of veterinary professionals citing early death as the most serious consequence of animal obesity.

While giving your beloved pooch the odd treat may not seem cruel, many pet owners are literally killing their animals with kindness. But there are many ways that you can help your pet to lose weight and lead a healthier and happier life.

The first step to helping your pet shed the pounds is to identify if they are in the danger zone. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), your pet is healthy if:

Their ribs are easily felt but not protruding
Their stomach doesn’t sag
Their waist is easily seen from above

If you cannot tick these off the checklist, it may be time to visit your vet, who will be able to offer advice on the best ways to help your pet lose weight. Follow pet insurance provider Halifax's top five tips to help your pet beat the flab:

Calorie count: Calorie counting isn’t just for those of us trying to fit into our favourite old jeans, pets need to watch their calories too. Learn how many calories your pet should be consuming in a day and check food packets to inform portion sizes. According to the APOP, a 10lb cat should be having around 275 calories a day, a 10lb dog 300 calories, a 20lb dog 500 calories and a 50lb dog 1,2000 calories.

Eating out: If you suspect that your cat may be eating out round at the neighbours’ house, make enquiries. If your suspicions are confirmed, politely ask them to stop feeding the cat. It is often the case that several family members are feeding a pet without knowing that it has already had its fair share. Sit the family down and arrange a feeding schedule to prevent your pet running rings around you.

Snack attack: Remember to think relatively. One biscuit might not make much difference to you, but for a small animal can be equivalent to a packet. Try not to feed your pet snacks that are high in saturated fat such as biscuits, crisps and cheese. Chocolate is particularly dangerous, containing a stimulant that can cause heart failure in dogs.

Make a meal of it: Two or three smaller meals throughout the day are better for your pet than one large one, keeping their energy levels up while preventing feelings of fullness and lethargy. Remember that dry food expands in an animal’s stomach, so is more filling than it might look - consult your vet for ideal portion sizes. When reducing your dogs’ portions, bulk up meals with grated raw vegetables or bran that will pass through the animal’s body easily while not adding many calories.

Keep fit: If you have a dog, increase the length and frequency of its daily walks and play games such as fetch that will encourage it to run. Cat owners have a harder job on their hands, but can still encourage exercise by playing with their cat with anything from string to toy mice. Experiment and see what your cat best responds to.

Halifax offers a complete range of pet insurance including cat insurance and dog insurance. Whatever you're looking for at Halifax we aim to give you a little extra. We can even provide home insurance and travel insurance cover too.