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2. Causes of Companion Animal Obesity
It seems logical that the rise in the prevalence of obesity in humans is reflected in the companion dogs and cats with whom lifestyles are shared. Studies suggest that the owners of overweight and obese dogs and cats use food as a pivotal means of interaction, communication, and bonding with their animal companions, that is, as a vehicle to express affection and love. One report concluded that “owners of obese dogs tend to interpret their dog’s every need as a request for food”. Consequently, it is very conceivable that dogs and cats condition or manipulate their owners into overfeeding them by appearing in the kitchen and vocalizing whenever meals are being prepared or by lingering near the table when meals are being consumed. Once these behaviors become regularly reinforced via food provision, extinction is very difficult. Neutering has been documented as a risk factor towards being overweight or obese in dogs and cats compared to intact pets. The Obesity Medicine Association’s definition of obesity is “a chronic, relapsing, multifactorial,. . . disease, wherein an increase in body fat . . . , results in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences” . Overweight dogs are more likely to be diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism and urinary tract disease, and obese dogs are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, respiratory dysfunction, pancreatitis, and neoplasia. Overweight and obese dogs are at increased risk of developing hypothyroidism and orthopedic disorders (osteoarthritis and cruciate ligament rupture). Overweight cats are at increased risk for developing urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, and orthopedic diseases; obese cats are at increased risk for diabetes mellitus and neoplasia; and overweight and obese cats are at higher risk of dermatological conditions, oral conditions, hypertension, and diarrhea. It should be noted that distinguishing cause vs. effect for these risk factors can be challenging. As an example, a dog with significant orthopedic disease may be less likely to ambulate and exercise, which increases its risk of overweight or obesity. But, overweight may also cause orthopedic disorders. Health related quality of life is also worse in dogs with obesity compared with dogs at ideal weight, and obese dogs also have increased risk associated with anesthesia. Consequently, the average lifespan is shorter in overweight dogs by about two years. Surprisingly, a recent study found that the survival times in overweight and obese cats were not reduced. Overweight and obesity also impose a significant financial burden on pet owners, with a recent report revealing that the owners of overweight dogs spent 17% more on health care and 25% more on medications compared with the owners of healthy-weight dogs. In the same report, the owners of overweight cats spent 36% more on diagnostic procedures, compared with the owners of healthy-weight cats.
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