Healthy Weight Management Program Will Help Pets Shed Extra Weight

The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital has launched a Healthy Weight Management Clinic for pets. Obesity troubles in humans constantly make headlines, but the rise of weight problems in our pets is not promoted in the same fashion. As many as 30 percent of dogs and cats seen by veterinarians are overweight. Under the direction of Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and nutrition expert, a formal program is now in place to help address the deeper issues behind obesity in our pets besides the simple assumption that the animal just eats too much.

First, we can assess behavioral issues. Tracy Schreyer, MA, Animal Behaviorist for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, is an additional resource for tapping into other factors that may be influencing the weight gain. Sometimes the issue may be misinterpretation of the animals' actions. Owners may think their animal is begging for food, when the animal is simply begging for attention, for example. Sometimes there are stressors in the environment at home; there may be a constant traffic flow of kids and parents in and out of the house causing chaos. Family members may not be aware of each other’s behavior, as well. The sister will throw a treat to a dog without realizing her brother just did the same thing a half an hour before.

Another factor of obesity may be a lack of environmental stimulation for indoor animals. Dr. Buffington explained that instead of just providing food in a bowl for our animals, we can make them work a bit harder for it. For example, we can stuff a mouse toy with hard pieces of food; the cat has to work to extract the morsels, which takes more time, and thus she will eat less. The challenge of getting to the food or treat will also provide some mental stimulation. Even animals can get bored!

Because of recent renovations to our veterinary hospital, we now can provide rehabilitation therapy for our patients. Obese animals often have arthritis and other problems with their joints due to the extra weight they are carrying. In the new Canine Rehabilitation Facility, we have an underwater treadmill, a land treadmill, and other toys to increase the animal’s activity. We have rehabilitation resources for our feline friends as well. Exercise also provides psychological stimulation.

"These refinements and improvements in thinking about obesity - beyond overeating - leads to better ways to treat it," commented Dr. Buffington.

The clinic is run through our Community Practice service; patients are either referred or clients can make appointments on their own. Animals will receive a complete physical exam and consultation with a veterinarian, and an environmental and behavior evaluation will be conducted with the client to determine which tools will be most appropriate for the particular animal's case. Clients can buy package plans or pay as they go.

Some people dismiss the concern when a veterinarian first informs them their pet is overweight. However, they more often buy into and realize the importance of a weight loss program when their pet starts experiencing health problems that are either caused by or exacerbated by the weight. Breathing problems, osteoarthritis, decreased immune function, and diabetes are all common results from being obese. In many cases, losing the weight greatly relieves or lessens the severity of the disease.

Is there any truth to "overweight owners have overweight pets?" Although Dr. Buffington has not conducted any studies, he doesn’t dismiss the possibility of a correlation. The common causes of weight problems in humans include: ready access to cheap, palatable food, lack of activity and stimulation, and stressful environments. If these features exist in the animal's life, they are likely to be affected just as their owners are.

So what is a reasonable expectation of weight loss for an animal? "Our goal is for the animal to lose 10 to 15 percent of their weight," Buffington explains. "We are not aiming for them to look like a racing animal, but just reach a healthy weight." This weight loss may take up to a year to achieve. Both overweight dogs and cats should lose weight slowly in order to avoid complications. Each weight loss program is tailored to the individual patient. A cat that lives in a one-person household with no other pets will respond to a different program than a cat that lives with a family with four children and multiple pets. In this case, they have to treat everyone, and not just the overweight cat.

To set up a consultation or enroll in the Healthy Pet Weight Program please call (614) 292-3551 or visit the Nutrition Support Services website.

Written by: Kristine McComis