by Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.
Obesity is a severe and debilitating illness.
It is the most common nutritional
disease in pets and people. Estimates
suggest that up to 45 percent of dogs
and up to 13 percent of cats are obese
(many doctors think these estimates are quite low
judging by the number of obese pets they see every
day in practice). With rare exception (the presence of
a disease like thyroid disease), obese pets are made
that way, not born that way. In the wild, few if any
pets are obese. They eat to meet their calorie needs
and are always moving, playing, fighting, mating and
hunting for food (exercising).
 How can you decide if your pet fits the definition
of “obese?” Current medical opinion states that a pet
is obese if it weighs 15 percent or more over its ideal
weight. Pets that weigh one to 14 percent over their
ideal weight are considered “overweight” but not yet
“obese.”
Can pet owners prevent obesity? Many owners
give their pets treats and snacks and feed them whenever
the pet begs for food. In essence, these owners are
setting their pets up for all of the medical problems
that can occur with obesity. While many people who
constantly reward these begging behaviors
believe that they are being kind
and loving owners, they are
actually killing their pets with
kindness.
Problems that are associated with
obesity in pets and people are numerous and
include orthopedic problems (including
arthritis), ruptured ligaments, intervertebral
disk disease, difficulty breathing, reduced capacity
for exercise (and in severe cases any movement
at all), heat intolerance, increased chance for complications
due to drug therapy (it is more difficult
to accurately dose medications in obese pets),
cardiac problems, hypertension and cancer. When
you keep in mind that the excess body fat occurs in
the body cavities of the chest and abdomen (often
being deposited there first) as well as under the
skin (what we see as “fat”), it is not surprising
all of the medical problems that can be
associated with obesity.
The treatment of obesity requires a controlled
low-calorie, low-fat diet with a sensible exercise
program. Other natural treatments include nutritional
supplements which might help reduce weight in
selected patients.
Prior to starting a weight reduction diet and
exercise regimen it is important that your pet receive a
blood profile to rule out diseases previously discussed,
such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, that may cause or
contribute to obesity. Presence of these diseases would
require treatment in addition to dietary therapy.
Foods which increase metabolism, such as vegetables
which are high in fiber, are included in weight
loss diets. Fiber, contained in vegetables, decreases fat
and glucose absorption; fluctuating glucose levels
cause greater insulin release. Since insulin is needed
for fat storage, decreased or stable levels are preferred.
Fiber also binds to fat in the intestinal tract and
increases movement of the food in the intestines,
which is of benefit to the obese pet.
See the suggested weight control diets for adult
dogs and cats included in this article, both adapted
from the book The Natural Health Bible for Dogs &
Cats, by Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., Prima, 2001.
The natural treatments listed below are widely used
with variable success but have not been thoroughly
investigated and proven at this time.
A regular program of supervised exercise is also
important for pets on a weight reduction program.
1. Chromium. Chromium is a trace mineral that
can increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Since
decreased sensitivity to insulin can contribute to
weight gain (as often happens in diabetic patients),
supplying additional chromium (usually at a dose of
200–400 mcg/day) is recommended for weight control
in people. Research is needed to determine if chromium
would be of benefit to overweight pets.
2. Carnitine. For people, carnitine is recommended
at 500 mg per day to reduce fat deposits. Research
is needed to determine if this recommendation would
be of benefit to overweight pets.
3. Boron. This trace mineral may speed up the
burning of calories in people.
4. Herbs. Herbs such as cayenne, mustard and
ginger increase metabolism in people and may also do
the same in pets. Your doctor can prescribe a safe dose
of these herbs, if he feels they might help your pet.
5. Hydroxycitric Acid. Hydroxycitric acid, also
called HCA, is a product extracted from the rind of the
tamarind citrus fruit of the Garcinia cambogia tree. It
suppresses hunger in people and helps prevent the
body from turning carbohydrates into fat by inhibiting
the ATP-citrate lysase enzyme (the recommended
dosage is 500 mg three times daily).
While it is available for use by people, I have not
seen any reported doses or studies showing its use for
pets (early studies showed effectiveness in chickens
and rats). Your veterinarian might be able to extrapolate
a dose for use in your overweight dog, if he feels
the product might be of benefit.
6. Chitosan. Chitosan is a dietary supplement
made from the outer skeletons of shellfish. The product
is purported to bind to fat in the intestines, which
prevents the absorption of fat. Studies are inconclusive
regarding how well the product works in pets.
One veterinary company is currently developing a
product containing chitosan. Time will tell if it will be
of value in any diet programs for pets.
7. Coenzyme Q-10. Coenzyme Q-10 is used to
transport and break down fat into energy. In people,
coenzyme Q-10 levels were found to be low in
approximately 50 percent of obese individuals.
Supplementation with coenzyme Q-10 resulted in
accelerated weight loss in overweight people. While
coenzyme Q-10 is often used in pets with heart disease,
periodontal disease and gastrointestinal disease, I
have not seen any reports showing its use as part of a
weight control program. It may be of benefit in overweight
pets and at the recommended dosage no side
effects have been seen. Consult with your doctor
about using coenzyme Q-10 to help in a weight reduction
program for your pet.
In conclusion, a natural approach to treating the
obese pet involves a sensible weight reduction diet, a
supervised exercise program and when appropriate,
the proper natural supplement. Work with your doctor
to fine tune the best program for your pet.
Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M. is the author of The
Arthritis Solution for Dogs, The Allergy Solution for
Dogs and the award-winning The Natural Health
Bible for Dogs & Cats.
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Weight Control
Diet for Adult Dogs
1.2 pound of cooked chicken
2 cups of cooked long grain rice
1.4 tsp salt or salt substitute
This diet provides approximately 624 kilocalories
(kcal), 49.4 gm of protein and 4.7
gm of fat. It supplies the daily caloric needs
for weight loss in a 45.50 pound dog.
This diet supplies the calories required
for weight reduction in a dog that normally
weighs 47.48 pounds (non-obese weight).
In other words, it should be fed to a dog
that weighs more than 47.48 pounds but
whose ideal weight would be approximately
47.48 pounds.
1. You can substitute 4 egg whites
(cooked) or 1.2 cup cottage cheese (1 percent
fat) for the chicken. Usually beef and lamb
are too high in fat for canine weight reduction
diets.
2. You can substitute 3 cups of cooked
potatoes (with skins) for the rice.
3. Fresh, raw or slightly steamed vegetables
(carrots, broccoli, etc.) can be
used as a top dressing for the diet for
extra nutrition and fiber and variety
(approximately 1.2.1 cup per recipe; 1.2 cup
of vegetables add about 30 kilocalories to
the diet).
4. This diet should be fed in divided
amounts at least twice daily and preferably
four to six times daily. Frequent small meals
will allow the pet to feel full all of the time
(feeling full reduces appetite and the need
to beg, although many dogs that beg have
been unintentionally rewarded by their
owners for this behavior). Feeding frequent
small meals also results in additional weight
loss as some of the food consumed is immediately
burned into heat (thermogenesis).
Frequent feeding results in more burning of
calories.
5. Vitamins and minerals can be supplied
as follows:
Four bonemeal tablets (10 grain or
equivalent) or 3.4.1 teaspoon of bonemeal
powder to supply calcium and phosphorus
with a multivitamin mineral supplement
using the label instructions. Alternatively, a
natural vitamin-mineral product made for
dogs can be used.
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Weight Control Diet
For Adult Cats
5 ounces salmon, canned with bone (low-salt)
1.3 cup of cooked long grain rice
1.4 tsp salt or salt substitute
This diet provides 284 kcal, 30.2 gm of protein
and 10.4 gm of fat. Feed 75 percent of
this recipe to a cat that would normally
weigh 11 pounds, 67 percent to a cat that
would normally weigh 10 pounds and 60
percent to a cat that would normally weigh
9 pounds.
1. 4.8 ounces of tuna or 1.2 pound of
chicken can be substituted for the salmon.
Beef, lamb and sardines usually have too
much fat to be used in feline weight reduction
diets.
2. Rice is optional as cats do not have a
strict dietary carbohydrate requirement.
3. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids increase metabolic rate
so more energy is burned which can aid
weight loss.
4. Fresh, raw or slightly steamed vegetables
(carrots, broccoli, etc.) can be used as a
top dressing for the diet for extra nutrition
and fiber and variety (approximately 1.2.1
cup per recipe; 1.2 cup of vegetables add
about 30 kilocalories to the diet). Most cats
will not eat vegetables however.
5. This diet should be fed in divided
amounts at least twice daily and preferably
four to six times daily. Frequent small meals
will allow the pet to feel full all of the time
(feeling full reduces appetite and the need
to beg, although many cats that beg have
been unintentionally rewarded by their
owners for this behavior). Feeding frequent
small meals also results in additional weight
loss as some of the food consumed is immediately
burned into heat (thermogenesis).
Frequent feeding results in more burning of
calories.
6. Vitamins and minerals can be supplied
as follows:
Four bonemeal tablets (10 grain or
equivalent) or 3.4.1 teaspoon of bonemeal
powder to supply calcium and phosphorus
with a multivitamin mineral supplement
using the label instructions. Alternatively, a
natural vitamin-mineral product made for
dogs can be used. |
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