Pet Obesity: The Risk of Cuteness

Gina
- August 14, 2022

Chonky pets are taking over the internet. Describing adorable pets with adjectives like thicc boi, or floofy has been on the rise.

It’s very natural for us to associate feeding our beloved pets with an act of love. We all want to see our fur babies develop and grow! But if everyone started to overfeed their pets because of their cuteness, it might cause excessive weight gain, resulting in over-chunkiness.

Overweight pets might look adorable. If we take a closer look at their health, we might find out the real underlying issues of having an overly chonky friend.

What is obesity in pets?

Obesity in pets stems from pets consuming too much food compared to their daily energy expenditure. When there is unused energy leftover, the energy will turn into fat and will be stored in various parts of the body.

Despite this, international criteria for obesity in pets still does not exist. As a guideline, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has determined that obesity in cats or dogs can be diagnosed if they weigh over 30% of their ideal weight.

There are underlying illnesses, conditions, and diseases that come with the weight. Examples include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, musculoskeletal disease, or even respiratory issues. All of these serious conditions are the possibilities and hidden truths of the seemingly harmless folds.

If you suspect your furry friend is overweight or obese, have a consultation session with the veterinarian. Diet plans and exercise routines could also be recommended to keep your companion healthy! The most important aspect is sticking to those plans and encouraging extra play time to burn those excess calories. Check in on your furry friends to make sure they’re in tip-top shape! 💞

At home Check-Up routine!

As a pet parent, it’s crucial for you to be able to estimate and gauge if your pet is at its ideal weight. If our cats and dogs are at a healthy weight, they will possess the following conditions:

Ability to feel their spine when you grab their body
Visible waistline from the top
No excess skin or fat
The abdominal area is not bloated or filled out

Reference: Chart and Diagram from Elston Veterinary Clinic

This article is reviewed by the veterinarian from Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University (CUVET)

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