Management of obesity in dogs & cats

Question 1

Define obesity

Answer 1

“A disease in which excess body fat has accumulated such that health may be adversely affected”

Question 2

What are some health consequences of obesity?

Answer 2

• Functional impairment
• Comorbidities: other more chronic diseases that are more likely to develop in an obese animal
• Shorter lifespan
• Poorer quality of life

Question 3

Energy intake is used in which 3 ways?

Answer 3

• Basal metabolic rate
• Activity
• Thermoregulation

Question 4

What are some comorbidities of obesity?

Answer 4

• Diabetes mellitus
• Orthopaedic disease
• Respiratory disease
• Neoplasia
• Pancreatitis
• Hepatic lipidosis

Question 5

What are the two steps when getting started in managing an obese pateint?

Answer 5

Estimate ideal weight

Body condition scoring

Question 6

If a patient has a 9/9 BCS what excess % of their ideal weight are they?

Answer 6

40%

Question 7

If a patient has a 6/9 BCS what excess % of their ideal weight are they?

Answer 7

10%

Question 8

What are key principles of the weight reduction phase?

Answer 8

• Calorie intake vs. expenditure
• Exercise alone is ineffective for weight loss
• It’s not what you feed, its how much

Question 9

What are the correction factors for different BCSs?

Answer 9

5/9 = 1
6/9 = 1.1
7/9 = 1.2
8/9 = 1.3
9/9= 1.4

Question 10

How is ideal weight calculated in a dog and cat?

Answer 10

Starting body weight ÷ Correction factor

Question 11

How is maintenance energy requirement calculated in a dog?

Answer 11

MER = 95 Kcal per kg0.75/day

Question 12

How much of a dogs MER should be fed for weight loss?

Answer 12

• Entire male = 80% MER
• Neutered male or entire female = 70% MER
• Neutered female = 60% MER

Question 13

How is energy intake for weight loss calculated in a cat?

Answer 13

35-40 kcal per kg IBW per day

Question 14

What are some benefits of a therapeutic diet?

Answer 14

• Decreased energy content (low in fat)
• Nutrients in balance for weight loss
• Lean tissue preservation (protein, L-carnitine)

Question 15

What diet changes can be made to reduce intake?

Answer 15

• Increasing water content in diet
• Expanding food with air
• Changing shape of food
• Increasing protein and fibre

Question 16

What is critical when measuring food portions?

Answer 16

Accuracy

• Ban the cup
• Measure out daily food ration using electronic weight scales

Question 17

What are some considerations to make on how to feed an animal?

Answer 17

• Slowing food intake using puzzle feeders
• Dogs like working for their food
• Multi-cat households: grazing cat’s vs consuming all in one

Question 18

How much of an animals calories should come from treats at:

• maintenance
• during weight loss

Answer 18

• At maintenance: <10% of daily energy intake
• During weight loss: <5% of daily energy intake
• Use vegetables as an alternative – high water content

Question 19

How is exercised used in weight loss

Answer 19

• Burns some calories
• May preserve lean tissue?
• A positive reward
• Health benefits?

Question 20

What are some considerations for exercising dogs

Answer 20

• Tailor exact plan to the individual dog
• Try to increase overall activity by 25-33%
• Take account of comorbidities

Question 21

What are some considerations for exercising cats

Answer 21

• Exploit natural behaviour
• Encourage play activity
• Food-based exercise
• Regular sessions
• Short rapid periods
• Vary toys used

Question 22

How can/should weight be monitored?

Answer 22

• Recheck every 2-4 weeks
• Reduce intake (5-10%) if weight loss slows
• Proactive client management: Always make next appointment and chase up clients who do not arrive
• Monitoring methods: Weighing, Photography, Diaries

Question 23

Describe food intake in the weight maintanence phase

Answer 23

• Gradually increase food intake - 5-10% every 2 weeks
• Reweigh at regular intervals
• Success is MORE about keeping weight off than losing it in the first place