With a round face and protruding belly, obesity in pets can easily be dismissed as excess fluff or simply a cute characteristic. But, while many owners believe they are being kind and loving by overfeeding their pets, excess weight can take a toll on an animal’s health, longevity and quality of life.
Dr Rachel Shaw, chief executive of Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi, says obesity in pets is linked to medical conditions including arthritis and joint disease, diabetes, heart and breathing problems, liver disease and an increased risk of certain cancers.
“Obesity also compromises animal welfare – it causes pain, limits mobility, reduces activity and makes daily life more difficult. And we know it shortens life,” she adds.
The long-term consequences are well-documented. A longevity study published in Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that dogs that are fed 25 per cent less calories than normal not only live an average of two years longer, but also develop fewer medical problems.
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