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Owner Education
• Laflamme DP. Understanding and Managing Obesity in Dogs and Cats. Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1283–1295.
• Allan FJ, Pfeiffer DU, Jones BR, et al. A cross-sectional study of risk factors for obesity in cats in New Zealand. Prev Vet Med 2000; 46:183–96.
• Raffan E. 2013. The big problem: battling companion animal obesity. Veterinary Record. 173: 287-291
• GERMAN, A. J., HOLDEN, S. L., MORRIS, P. J. & BIOURGE, V. (2012) Long-term follow-up after weight management in obese dogs: the role of diet in preventing regain. Veterinary Journal 192, 65-70.
• Singh R, Laflamme DP, Sidebottom-Nielsen M. Owner perceptions of canine body condition score. J Vet Intern Med 2002; 16:362.

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https://petobesityprevention.org/

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Owner Education
THE 5 BIGGEST QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK ABOUT PET OBESITY: HOW TO CHECK, WHAT TO FEED, AND HOW TO EXERCISE
1. IS MY PET OVERWEIGHT? This isn’t personal; it’s your pet’s future.
2. HOW MANY CALORIES SHOULD I FEED MY PET EACH DAY? Don't forget to include any treats in your daily caloric counts.
3. HOW MUCH WEIGHT SHOULD MY PET LOSE IN A MONTH? Many dogs can lose 3 to 5-percent and most cats should aim for about a half-pound per month.
4. WHAT KINDS OF EXERCISE SHOULD MY PET DO? We’ll get to this!
5. IS MY PET AT RISK FOR A MEDICAL PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESS WEIGHT? This is a very serious question that you need to understand for your pet’s future.

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Be Specific About what to Feed https://petobesityprevention.org/pet-caloric-needs
Cats
10 lbs. 180 to 200 calories
Dogs
10 lbs. 200 to 275 calories
20 lbs. 325 to 400 calories
50 lbs. 700 to 900 calories
70 lbs. 900 to 1050 calories
90 lbs. 1100 to 1350 calories

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Recognize the pet is overweight
• “In a survey involving 200 dogs and their owners, it was demonstrated that owners did not recognize their own dog as overweight”
• “More owners of obese cats inaccurately assessed the body condition of their pet compared with owners of normal-weight cats"

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How much Does My Pet Need?
https://petobesityprevention.org
A basic formula for weight loss in dogs is:
• Ideal weight in pounds divided by 2.2 give you weight in kilograms (kg)
• Calculate the Resting Energy Requirements (RER) based on this ideal weight:
• RER in kcal/day =
• RER in kcal/day = (ideal or target weight in kg ^ 0.75) x 70
• or (ideal or target weight in kg) to the 3/4 power) x 70
• Or 30 x (body weight in kilograms) + 70
A basic formula for weight loss in cats is:
• Ideal weight in pounds divided by 2.2 give you weight in kilograms (kg)
• Calculate the Resting Energy Requirements (RER) based on this ideal weight
• RER in kcal/day =
• (ideal or target weight in kg)^0.75 x 70 or (ideal or target weight in kg to the 3/4 power) x 70
• Or [30 x (ideal or target body weight in kilograms)] + 70
• For weight loss in cats multiply RER of target or ideal weight times 0.8"

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IMPORTANT NOTE: If you're not seeing desired weight loss within 90 days, change daily calories, pet food brand, increase protein, change formulations -- change something!

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Ideal Weights of Cat Breeds
Domestic Cat 8-10 lbs.
Persian 7-12 lbs.
Siamese 5-10 lbs.
Maine Coon 10-25 lbs.
Ideal Weight Ranges of Popular U.S. Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever 65-80 lbs.
German Shepherd Dog 75-95 lbs.
Yorkshire Terrier Less than 7 lbs.
Golden Retriever 65-75 lbs.
Beagle 18-30 lbs.
Boxers 50-75 lbs.
Bulldogs 40-50 lbs.
Dachshunds Mini: 8-10 lbs.
Poodles Mini: 11-17 lbs.
Shih Tzus 8-16 lbs.

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Help Facilitate Weight Loss
1. Ax the ad libitum
2. The positive potential of groupthink – owners must be a part
3. It's the little things – smaller bowls
4. You've got to move it, move it
5. Food glorious food - roadblocks
6. Borrow from the power of the people
Aug 08, 2016, By Kathryn Primm, DVM
VETERINARY MEDICINE Do I look fat in this? 6 ways to effectively intervene in patient weight issues

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Avoid Roadblocks
• Resist temptation. Teach owners to ignore pets that are actively begging.
• Prevent temptation. Set up situations that promote success for both the owner and pet, such as limiting access to the kitchen.
• Promote strict commitment. If an owner is unable to commit to the program in the home, an in-patient program might be an option for success.
• Teach owners to force their own accountability. For example, an owner might make a charitable donation if the pet's weight loss goal is not met by their next visit.

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Therapeutic Diets
• Therapeutic diets designed for implementation by veterinary professionals are designed to be fed at reduced consumption rates.
• Special technology advancements including fiber, special extrusion technologies, and nutraceutical additions that may aid in optimal health during weight loss.
• Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of therapeutic foods, owner education, exercise, and drugs for the management of obese and overweight pets. JAVMA, 2008, 233(5):717-725

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Light or Low- Calorie Foods?
Over half the foods available over the counter labeled as weight management formulas do not comply with AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) regulations for reduced calorie foods.
• Linder DE, Freeman LE. Evaluation of calorie density and feeding directions for commercially available diets designed for weight loss in dogs and cats. JAVMA 2010, 236(1):74-77

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Owner Education
• Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)
• http://www.petobesityprevention.org/
• In 2013, VPI policyholders filed more than $17 million in claims for conditions and diseases that can be caused by excess weight.”
• http://www.petinsurance.com/healthz one/pet-articles/pet- health/Guidelines-to-Prevent-Pet- Obesity-Danger.aspx

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Self Education

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Thank you VetScope