Fat Cats & Chubby Dogs Are Cute, But Should We Be Concerned?

Cats and dogs each have their own distinct personalities just like their human companions.  Some are bundles of energy racing with their big floppy ears to catch their Kong toy for the umpteenth million time, and some are total couch potatoes who just want to chill while watching the latest episode of Cats 101 on Animal Planet. 

Some are svelte, lithe and graceful...

while others are chubby little cuddle bunnies.

Is there anything cuter than your plump puppy or zaftig kitty? Not really. However, is the extra weight affecting your cat or dog in the same way it does people?  According to a recent study, it seems the answer is yes.  Overweight animals have a higher risk for the same diseases we do and now it seems diabetes diagnoses are rising at an even faster rate among dogs and cats than in their human companions.  

The 2011 "State of Pet Health" report is based on data from more than 2.5 million dogs and cats in 43 states.  Nationally, diabetes rates increased by almost 30% in dogs in the last four years and by 16% among cats. By comparison, human diagnoses of diabetes rose 10% over the same period. Diabetes is more commonly found among cats. The biggest factors contributing to the condition are obesity and genetics.  Overeating coupled with a lack of exercise is a recipe for obesity.  

We often worry about our cat, Bella, who came to us this past year from a client who was unable to keep her.  She is the sweetest cuddly baby, but she is very overweight.  We are concerned that her weight is causing undue stress on her heart, could lead to diabetes or other health related issues.  Bella is one of the coach potatoes I referred to earlier, so she doesn't get much exercise, though we have encouraged her to play more and sleep less. We do manage to get her to toddle over to the toy box every now and then.  

Bella-Bella

How can you tell if you little one has diabetes?  Some common signs to be on the lookout for are excessive urination, excessive thirst, your once chubby kitty or doggy can't seem to maintain their weight, they are listless with little to no energy, their coat may look dry and unkempt.   The only way to know for sure is to have your vet run a full urine and blood panel.  Once diagnosed, your pet can still have a healthy quality of life even if they require daily injections of insulin.  

Believe it or not, giving daily injections will probably be more stressful for you than your pet.  Our cat, Beau, did not have diabetes but he did need daily shots.  I remember how horrible it was for us to have to give him the first few.  Honestly, he tolerated it so well.  I believe that our animals sense that we are trying to help them. Being the sweet, trusting souls they are, they try and make it as easy as possible for us.  

What can you do to try and prevent diabetes as well as other weight-related conditions?  Be sure to feed your pet a high-quality, low carb diet and give them plenty of playtime.  Cats in particular need a lot of stimulation or many of them tend to just want to sleep all day.  Dogs can also be guilty of the same sort of behavior. 

Sleepy lazy boys