Vet Advice for Pet Obesity Awareness Day 2024

Pet Obesity Awareness Day is all about celebrating your pet whilst at the same time remembering that less is more. If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if your dog or cat is obese, now is a good time to check.

This annual pet day is a great time to consider preventative measures and solutions for any extra bulges on your cat or dog.

In this article you’ll discover why obesity in pets is to be avoided and what steps to take to take to manage the bulge. Whether you’re after prevention or cure, here’s your answer in five, four, three, two, one… Let’s lose some digits!

When is Pet Obesity Awareness Day?

Like Easter and several other days of the year, Pet Obesity Awareness Day falls on a different date each year. That’s because it’s always on the 2nd Wednesday of every October.

In 2024, Pet Obesity Awareness Day falls on October 9th. 

Not every pet parent knows how to tell their dog or cat is obese or has considered it. That’s why this annual celebration is a reminder in our calendars to always be aware of our pet’s health and how their weight is factors in.

How many dogs and cats are obese?

Humans and pets have been living together harmoniously for thousands of years (read about the history of dogs and domestic cats). Yet now more than ever before, more than half of all pets are overweight.

Studies show that as many as 59.3% of dogs and 63% cats may be overweight or obese.

In addition to global statistics which we’re part of, let’s also take a look at what’s cooking closer to home. As a nation of pet lovers, Pet Obesity Awareness Day seems like the perfect occasion to check out statistics for Aussie cats and dogs.

Pet Obesity Awareness Day statistics in Australia

In Australia, 41% of dogs and 32% of cats are overweight or obese. What’s more, many breeds that are Aussie favourites, like the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever, are genetically prone to weight gain.

In an interview with ABC News, vet Dr Jessica Mills shares that “Forty-nine percent of veterinarians agree it’s harder for pet parents to keep their pets at a healthy weight.” There’s such a barrage of different food types, diet recommendations and more online that it’s easy to get caught in a storm of several approaches at once.

The result can be that your pet gets too much intake of energy supplying food, and not enough energy expenditure on the other side. Once there’s an unbalance between these two, becoming overweight is merely a step away.

How to tell if your dog or cat is obese?

Because weight gain is gradual and often hard to notice since you see your pet every day, lean can turn to chubby and then to obesity often under the radar. This is just one reason to keep up with annual vet check-ups. Your vet can be your biggest ally when it comes to keeping pets healthy. Good health of course, includes a balanced weight.

Here are some added suggestions:

• Use a body condition score for your cat or dog
• Read about how to assess average cat weight
• Talk to your vet about your pet’s weight

Watch this video with Dr Cath Watson for more tips on how to tell if your dog or cat is obese and how to keep their weight in check:

What is the main cause of pet obesity?

Unfortunately, pets are getting chunkier and although they’re the ones affected, it’s us who are in control. Many pets on social media are a little or a lot heavier than is healthy these days. We’re getting so used to seeing overweight and obese pets that it’s beginning to seem like the norm – but it shouldn’t be.

Even if we’re used to seeing overweight and obese pets, it’s worth remembering this isn’t natural for them.

In nature, animals don’t have the opportunity to become obese. That’s why, Pet Obesity Awareness Day is all about reminding us about our responsibility as responsible pet parents. We’re the ones who dish out our furkid’s food and set their feeding schedule.

We’re in control and can help keep them at a healthy weight. We also decide when and how much exercise our pets get. Different breeds need different levels of activity – read about Active Dog Month for more on this.

Why is Pet Obesity Awareness Day important?

Obesity in pets is one of the leading health issues pets face. And, it’s not just about added body weight because over time, obesity affects the health of organs, hormone production and many of the body’s routine functions.

Pet obesity can lead to other illnesses

Sadly, being overweight is like a gateway state to becoming obese. Obesity in pets can quickly lead to far more serious problems for your pet.

Here are some of the knock-on problems obesity can cause in pets:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic inflammation
• Diabetes (read how obesity leads to diabetes in dogs and cats)
• High blood pressure
• Kidney dysfunction
• Orthopedic disease (read about IVDD in Dachshunds and other dogs, and how weight gain can be a no-no)
• Osteoarthritis
• Reproductive disorders

Generally speaking, obesity can make pets unhappy, lead to a lower quality of life and result in reduced life expectancy.

An unbalanced economy of scale

Knowing how to tell if your dog or cat is overweight or obese is important. Especially since adding those kilos on is far easier than losing them afterward. As it happens obesity could be even harder to fix for cats and dogs than it is for humans.

Just like cat and dog years are different to human years, pet kilos are different too. For example, every two kilos your dog loses is the rough equivalent of you losing almost five. As you can see it’s a bit of an unbalanced economy, in which your pet has the poorer currency.

Pet Obesity Awareness Day advice from a vet

We spoke to Dr Joanne Lonergan for advice on keeping your pet at an ideal weight. She says overweight and obese pets are one of the more common problems she and fellow vets encounter on a day-to-day basis.

For pet owners, pets and vets alike, the resulting issues can be heartbreaking. It is however one we can take control of in just a few steps. Dr Lonergan shares four guidelines for keeping pets’ weight on point:

1. Measure how much you’re feeding them

Often pet parents discover they’ve been inadvertently overfeeding their pets. And if there’s too much food in the food bowl, it’s not your pet’s fault when they eat it. This reminds us why knowing how to tell if your dog or cat is obese can be important.

Here are some suggestions Dr Lonergan makes to counter the risk or incident of pet obesity:

• Avoid measuring by hand. Dr Lonergan explains that a common problem is when pet owners proportion the serving by hand. She says “When we dish by hand, we’re using our eyes to measure. Our eyes can be pretty bad at assessing the correct amounts.” This is why you should measure how much you’re feeding using a measuring scoop.

• Consider a metabolic diet. One of the diets that’s easy to use is for good results is the Hills metabolic diet. It’s great for pets like Labradors who are insatiable, can’t seem to be filled and are always hungry. This is thanks to a nutritious balance of ingredients that helps pets feel full, so they don’t always go looking for food.

• Talk to your vet and consider online weight tools. The above diet is really easy for people to manage the correct food servings based on their pet’s ideal weight. You can either calculate your pet’s ideal weight using an online tool or, for a professional assessment, the ideal would be to consult your vet (who knows your animal’s age, breed and history firsthand).

Once you know what you’re working towards, you can check the chart on the food bag for the correct schedule and serving.

2. Keep track of what treats they’re getting

Dr Lonergan says her clients often feel they’re being mean to pets if they don’t give in to treat giving. When your cat meows or your dog looks at you with those doleful eyes, who wouldn’t. However, Dr Lonergan explains, that’s OK; you don’t have to stop giving your pets treats.

“You don’t have to stop feeding them treats, but you have to be mindful of what you’re feeding them. Giving your pet a treat is a nice bond to have. Pet owners don’t want to lose that bond and you don’t have to. You just have to be careful about what you’re feeding them.”

– Veterinarian, Dr Joanne Lonergan

Dr Lonergan shares, “I totally appreciate that – I have two dogs myself who are very good beggars.”

Good treats vs bad ones can make a big difference

If you’re feeding your pet Schmackos, for instance, then your pet is getting a highly fatty treat. The tastiness of such treats is why pets love them, but in conjunction with regular meals they can easily tip the balance. Another issue can be feeding your pets human food, like bits of meat off your plate.

Dr Lonergan explains that most dogs are not fussy. “You can cut up a carrot or cut up a banana or apple – you just don’t give them the seeds – or a little taste of peanut butter,” she says. Of course, you want to balance how many treats you give together with how much food they’re getting during mealtimes.

Pet Obesity Awareness Day reminds us that it’s about striking a good balance. If you are feeding your pooch peanut butter, steer clear of sugar-free versions since xylitol can be life-threatening for dogs.

3. Be open to addressing pet weight issues

Dr Lonergan shares how many pet parents feel offended when vets bring up the subject of their pet’s weight. However, when you look at the potential dangers we’ve listed further up, being open to dealing with pet weight issues is about loving your pet.

Pet Obesity Awareness Day is the perfect time to consider your pet’s weight and learn how to tell if your car or dog is obese.

As with most issues, being open to speaking about this is the first step to seeking out and implementing solutions. You can’t solve a problem unless you first recognise it, right? Understand you’re not alone and that having an overweight pet is a problem many pet owners face nowadays.

It’s fine to feel bad about it but don’t dwell – use this as an engine to actively address the issue so you can work on methods to help your pet. Many pet parents don’t realise pets are overweight or even obese until something goes wrong. Which is why National Pet Obesity Day is a helpful reminder for all pet owners to take stock of their pet’s weight.

4. Ask yourself how much exercise pets are getting

Adequate exercise is central to pet health and weight management. In the case of young pets, it’s important to follow guidelines so as not to overdo the type and duration of exercise. During their rapid growth phases, putting too much stress on bones, muscles and joints can actually be a bad thing.

Here are some Pet Obesity Awareness Day suggestions for giving pets adequate exercise:

• The right amount and the right type. Read puppy play to find out how much and what types of exercise are ideal for puppies. Once pets are grown up, it’s important to exercise them according to their breed to match their personal needs. A Pug, for example, just needs a regular short walk whereas a Border Collie can run the whole day without breaking a sweat and be all the happier for it.

• Understanding your breed’s needs. As a first time pet owner it’s really important to research breed traits before making a commitment to bring one home. If, for example, you’re seldom home, you should avoid getting a German Shepherd that needs ample exercise. Separation anxiety in pets can also affect this breed and many others, including the Siamese cat. Here’s more on dog exercise requirements by breed.

Provide a soft landing with pet insurance

Consider celebrating Pet Obesity Awareness Day by getting your cat or dog a pet insurance plan. Purchasing a pet plan before issues arise can help cover related health costs listed on your plan type.

Bills for vet visits, prescription medicine and overnight stays easily rack up in the thousands. However, if you have a cat insurance or dog insurance pawlicy in place before they emerge, it could help you cover these costs.

PD Insurance gives you one or more months of FREE pet insurance when you buy an online policy. Click below to get a quote.