You’ve probably seen online pictures of chubby pups and kittens and thought “Aww, how Cute!”
A lot of adult dogs and cats who are also chubbier than the usual are also given the same kind of reaction and are sometimes even turned to “memes”. In a lot of cases, these chubby pets are called “thicc” and that they’ve been given too many “treatos” and “snaccs.”
But while their chubbiness can be endearing, it can also be a matter of serious health issues. Like humans, dogs being overweight can also be a cause for a lot of internal health problems and can have negative long-term effects. Furthermore, the extra weight in their bodies can damage their bones and joints since their legs will struggle. Other possible diseases are also diabetes and heart problems.
And in worst-case scenarios, diet and exercise won’t be enough to remedy the effects. And if you think your own pet may be a little heavier than they should be, here are some ways you can check:
For Dogs
Check if you can see and feel the outline of their ribs without excess fat.
Check if you can see and feel their waist. Their waist should also be visible when you look at them from above.
Check if their belly is tucked up when viewing it from their side.
For Cats
Check if you can see and feel their ribs, hip bones, as well as their spine.
Like dogs, check if their waist is also visible from above.
Check if their belly isn’t sagging underneath. Keep in mind that it should only be a small amount of fat on their belly.
Factors for Pet Obesity
Some pets are also more likely to become obese.
Breed - there are breeds that are more likely to get obese
Age - older pets are more likely to become obese
Neuter history for dogs, those that have been neutered are more likely
Sex - Female pets are reported to be at higher risk
Owner - In a lot of cases, obese dogs are also owned by obese individuals who are less likely to go out and exercise their pets
Why You Should Be More Concerned
For many, a little weight put on by their pet isn’t much of an issue. But as mentioned before, a few gained pounds can lead to long-term health problems. Some of the most common are:
Decrease in stamina
Breathing difficulties
Heat intolerance
Liver dysfunction
Lowered immune system
Risk of tumors and cancer
Keeping Your Pet Healthy
To avoid your pet gaining too much weight, one of the best ways is to set a daily exercise
schedule. Exercises can also be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood or playing with them at the park. This not only benefits your pet, but you as well since you also get time to be physically active. More importantly, it’s great bonding time for you and your pet.
Another way would be to control their food intake. Some would leave food for their pet for the whole day since they’ll be working. But the case is that the pet might overfeed
themselves. A solution for this problem would be the PETKIT Fresh Element Smart Pet Feeder from INSTACHEW. It can be connected to your mobile phone via an app, allowing you to automate the feeder and schedule feeding times for your pet.
Remember to keep pets healthy and to schedule regular visits to your vet!