uFEATURED ARTICLE
Obesity is one of the most common medical
conditions faced by pets and it is becoming
increasingly prevalent in Australia. Obesity
is not just being overweight, it is the
accumulation of excess body fat causing a
pet to be more than 15% above their ideal
body weight. Pets can become overweight
for a number of reasons including:
� Overfeeding - this is defined as the dog
eating more than they actually require for
energy use
� Feeding the Wrong Food - feeding a food
with a high calorie count when not necessary
� Treats & Scraps - feeding your pet too
many treats or scraps
� Reduced Exercise or Activity - your pet may
have reduced activity levels or might not
be getting enough exercise
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� Medical conditions - conditions such as
Hypothyroidism, Hyperadrenocorticism
(Cushing's Disease), Insulinoma (a tumour
on the pancreas) and Diabetes Mellitus
� Age - older pets are more prone to
becoming obese
� Spayed or Neutered pets - desexed pets are
more likely to become obese
� Breed - certain breeds are genetically
predisposed to obesity and therefore a
higher risk of becoming obese. These breeds
include, Labradors, Golden Retrievers,
Cocker Spaniels, Cavaliers, Beagles, Pugs,
Dachshunds and Persian cats
Suffering from obesity can drastically reduce a
pet's quality of life as well as reduce their life
expectancy. Obesity in pets can exacerbate or
cause a number of health conditions including:
Obesity
