Did you know that in 2020, 78% of veterinary professionals reported an increase in pet obesity? (1) There are many reasons that our furry friends can put on some extra pounds, and at MSK Vets we know weight management can be a difficult subject to talk about.
It is important that we do talk honestly about it though, as weight control in an arthritic animal is essential. This alone can lead to significant improvements in their comfort and wellbeing.
Several studies have shown that the simple act of losing weight, even without any other treatments such as pain killers, can significantly improve comfort and activity levels in arthritic animals (2) even with a modest degree of weight loss of between 6-8% body weight.
Starting a weight loss programme can seem a bit daunting but our experienced team will be able to guide you on the best ways to target your pets’ ideal weight, and then get there!
Until recently it was thought that the main impact of losing weight in improving arthritis signs was by decreasing the amount of abnormal loading of already sore joints.
This remains true to an extent, there is also a developing body of evidence to show that fat cells release inflammatory chemicals themselves, therefore increasing the overall inflammatory processes happening in the arthritic animal.
A reduction in fat cells seems to decrease the amount of inflammation and therefore pain (3).
Getting pets to lose weight can have numerous benefits including reducing risk of diabetes, heart, and respiratory disease, as well as the obvious benefits for arthritis. This can help to reduce vet bills for investigations, and in some cases can even save costs if fewer medications are needed to manage your pet’s comfort.
Contact the MSK Vets for information and advice on managing your pet’s weight.
Fox, S.M. (2016). Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315368443
While it has been shown that exercise can help lose weight, for pets changing the diet is the most efficient method. As weight reduces, tolerance and enjoyment of exercise for both the pet and the owner increase! That has got to be good for everyone.
