Overweight Pets: Why You and Your Vet Need to Be on the Same Page

Many of us look at a round, happy dog or a chubby cat and think, "he's just big-boned." It is an easy thing to miss, because extra weight builds up slowly and our pets never complain about it.

A report from a US group dedicated to pet obesity suggests that the problem is not only about food bowls. It is also about communication: veterinarians and owners often have different ideas about how a pet should lose weight, and many families leave the clinic without a clear plan.

What does the evidence say?

The report comes from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and covers 2018. It was based on exams at 146 veterinary clinics across the United States, with 646 cats and 1,560 dogs. According to the figures, about 59.5% of cats and 55.8% of dogs were overweight or obese.

The group also surveyed 1,156 owners of overweight pets and 574 veterinarians. Most owners who tried to help their pet slim down cut calories and portions, and many added exercise. Reducing food was most often called "very effective," with exercise close behind. Vet-recommended diets were rated very effective by fewer people, which may partly reflect how few received one: 68% of owners said they wanted diet advice from their vet, but only 38% got it.

It is important to be clear about the limits. This was a US survey of opinions, not a trial that measured which method actually works best, and it does not tell us about pets in Chile or the rest of Latin America. It is a useful picture of a communication gap, not a weight-loss recipe.

What this means for your home

In Chile and across Latin America, we often show love with food: leftovers from the asado, bread, a bit of cheese, treats at the door. Small-breed dogs such as poodles, pugs and dachshunds, and indoor cats living in apartments, can gain weight quickly this way. Sterilized pets also tend to need fewer calories.

Here is a practical way to begin:

• Ask about weight at every visit. Request that your pet be weighed and ask what a healthy weight is for their breed and age.
• Measure the food. Use a measuring cup or kitchen scale instead of guessing, and count treats and table scraps.
• Ask for a written plan. Food type, daily amount and exercise goals should be clear, with a date for a recheck.
• Move together. Add short walks or play sessions, and increase them gradually, especially for older pets or flat-faced breeds in hot weather.
• Be wary of internet diets. Pet stores and online advice vary widely, and the report found owners trust their clinic most.

When to call the vet

Do not start a strict diet on your own, particularly with cats, which can become seriously ill if they lose weight too fast or stop eating. Book a visit if your pet tires easily, pants a lot, struggles to jump or climb stairs, or if you cannot feel their ribs under a light layer of fat. If vet visits are hard to reach where you live, even a basic check at a nearby clinic is a good start. Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.