Vet Speak

vetspeak

Winter Weight Woes

As for many of us, over the winter many of our pets pile on a few pounds. Something about that cold wet, windy weather puts us off taking the dog out for a walk, and cats being the discerning creatures that they are certainly aren’t going to go out there if they are already warm and cosy.

Sadly, it can be much harder to get those pesky pounds off our hounds (and cats) than it was to put them on in the first place, but why does it matter? Research has shown that “middle aged” animals, if they have been overweight from a young age, will be showing the clinical signs of arthritis – in dogs of 7 or 8 years and cats from 8-10 years. Fat has been shown to increase levels of inflammation in the body, which is particularly significant for cats with urinary problems, as the fat in the abdomen can contribute to the inflammation in the bladder. It is also a factor in the poor skin and coat condition seen in many overweight animals, made worse as the animal is unable to groom themselves because their tummy gets in the way.

Maintaining exercise levels is crucial, but where it is impossible (those dark wet evenings are not great for dog walking), then use diet to keep your pets feeling full and happy without their waistline paying the price. Standard low-calorie diets are fine if your pet is only a little chubby; however, for the pet with a heftier problem or if arthritis or bladder issues are already a problem, then contact us to discuss what options we can offer to help.

Anna Day BVSc MRCVS