Did you know that excess weight can significantly impact your dog’s or cat’s health? Let’s break it down in this e-mag.
While overweight and obesity do cause mechanical discomfort that significantly impacts quality of life, they are not merely storage disorders. Indeed, adipocytes (fat cells that multiply and/or enlarge during weight gain) produce hormones such as leptin and resistin, as well as inflammatory cytokines. Metabolic disorders or inflammatory states (which can become chronic and systemic) compound excess fat mass and may explain the average 2.5-year reduction in life expectancy in dogs. Researchers have thus established a link between obesity and the onset of certain conditions and disorders, including:
Orthopedic Disorders:
- Osteoarthritis, characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage, causes pain and mobility difficulties. Once established, the damage is irreversible and progressively worsens.
- The risk of cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia (among other joints), or even fractures increases with excess weight.
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders:
- Insulin resistance (the hormone that lowers blood glucose levels) is one of the most well-known and studied consequences. In this case, insulin receptors are deficient or even inactive, despite an increase in the secretion of the hormone in question. This is what is known as type II diabetes, or "insulin-resistant" or "non-insulin-dependent" diabetes. It particularly affects cats.
- In overweight or obese cats that refuse to eat (due to stress or illness, for example), mobilized fats accumulate in the liver and damage its cells. This is called hepatic lipidosis.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases:
- Beyond exercise and heat intolerance (linked to poor oxygenation of tissues—particularly the heart), obesity is a major risk factor in the onset of tracheal collapse in small-breed dogs. It also worsens and perpetuates conditions like laryngeal paralysis or brachycephalic syndrome (which affects flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, or Persians, for example).
- Excess weight can also increase the risk of hypertension.
Urogenital Disorders:
- Obese animals are at greater risk of suffering from incontinence and urinary stones.
- Irreversible kidney damage can occur due to changes in blood parameters.
- Dystocia (difficult birth requiring veterinary intervention) is also more common.
Dermatological Conditions:
- Obese animals are inevitably less flexible. As a result, they struggle to groom themselves effectively. Additionally, the risk of developing dandruff, excess sebum (oily skin and coat), and hair loss is heightened.
Digestive Disorders:
- Excess body fat, along with the resulting decrease in physical activity, leads to a slowdown in digestion and thus an increased risk of constipation.
- Imbalances in the gut microbiota (digestive flora) are often observed in overweight or obese animals.
Some studies also suggest that the inflammatory state linked to obesity may predispose individuals to the development of certain cancers. Additionally, the anesthetic and drug-related risk is heightened, as the elimination rate of molecules is altered.
If your pet is overweight, talk to your vet. They’re best placed to discuss a weight-loss plan for your companion.
Sources:
- The Growing Problem of Obesity in Dogs and Cats: This literature review explores various techniques for quantifying adipose tissue in animals, the different causes of obesity, associated diseases, and its management.
- Endocrinology of Obesity: This literature review examines the various roles of the endocrine system and its modifications during obesity in humans, dogs, and cats.
- Obesity in Dogs and Cats: A Metabolic and Endocrine Disorder: This literature review highlights the importance of adipose tissue in normal metabolism, particularly in appetite regulation, energy balance, and the metabolism of glucose and fats.
- Understanding and Managing Obesity in Dogs and Cats: This literature review covers the risks associated with obesity in dogs and cats as well as the various causes of this condition. The author also provides veterinarians with key insights for diagnosing and managing it effectively—both from a nutritional standpoint and in terms of owner communication. Finally, the review addresses the prevention of this all-too-common disease.
- Effects of Dietary Restriction on Lifespan and Age-Related Changes in Dogs: This study, conducted on 48 Labrador Retrievers, assessed the effects of dietary restriction on dogs' lifespan and aging markers, including the onset of chronic disease symptoms.
