An estimated 35 per cent of pets in the UK are considered overweight or obese and as this is one of the biggest health issues affecting pets, vets are concerned. Daniel L Chan, DVM, DACVECC, DACVN, MRCVS, Lecturer and Clinical Nutritionist at the Royal Veterinary College weighs up the problem.

There has been a great deal of media attention on the link between obesity in children and the long-term health risks. The good news is that as a nation we are finally taking action and helping young people eat more healthily.

But this weighty issue isn't yet being dealt with by animal owners and obesity in pets is increasing at an alarming rate. In fact, in the past 10 years the number of overweight pets in the UK has more than doubled.

Facing up to the facts

A fat pet is no laughing matter - not only can it affect a pet's general quality of life, obesity can lead to serious medical conditions. Just as in humans, being overweight affects how an animal's body responds to insulin and can lead to diabetes. If left untreated, further problems such as cataracts, nerve problems and serious urinary tract infections can develop. These are unpleasant and costly conditions to treat.

The bare bones of the problem

Historically we've blamed genetics for orthopaedic problems such as hip dysplasia in dogs, but it's now widely recognised that obesity is a major contributory factor. A recent study showed that being overweight not only led to signs of hip dysplasia up to three years earlier compared to lean litter mates, but also shortened dogs' life-spans.

The time it takes for pets with orthopaedic problems to recover is also longer if they are overweight because of the additional strain on joints. Similarly, animals with back problems ("spinal discs") may have a much more difficult time recovering from surgery if they are obese.

Even when obesity itself does not directly lead to medical problems, it can impair an animal's ability to cope with other conditions. For example, pets with an existing respiratory problem will be less able to cope and may feel considerable discomfort as they struggle to get air into their lungs.

Weight management = results

Research has shown that diabetic pets that lose weight may have a reduced need for insulin, and arthritis sufferers will require less anti-inflammatory drugs to treat their condition.

Of course prevention is the ultimate solution to the problem and perhaps greater awareness of the potential health problems associated with obesity in pets will help owners to manage their pets' weight more effectively. However, for pets that are already tipping the scales, the benefits of losing weight are two-fold: your pet will be able to enjoy a much better quality of life and you could reap the financial rewards by not having to pay for potentially expensive veterinary treatment.

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