Management of Obesity in Dogs and Cats - Maximising Success

Introduction
Obesity is defined as an accumulation of excessive amounts of adipose tissue in the body, and predisposes to a variety of diseases including diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis. In most animals, obesity is the result of a simple imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Therefore, at its simplest, successful management of obesity usually involves reversing this imbalance by reducing energy intake and/or increasing energy expenditure. This lecture will discuss current thoughts on both conventional and novel treatments for of obesity in dogs and cats, and stimulate discussion on factors required for long-term success.

Causes of obesity
Obesity can arise secondary to a number of diseases including endocrinopathies (e.g. hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism in dogs), drugs (e.g. polyphagia caused by glucocorticoids and anti-convulsant drugs), and rare genetic disorders (in humans), although most cases are primary i.e. the result of an imbalance in the ‘energy balance equation’. Thus, either excessive dietary intake or inadequate energy utilization can lead to a state of positive energy balance, leading to increased white adipose tissue deposition. Numerous factors may influence the relative ease with which weight is gained, and these include genetics, age, neuter status, concurrent diseases, amount of physical activity, and energy content of the diet. Many of these factors need to be considered when devising a weight program; for instance, the type and nature of physical activity will be greatly affected by the presence of concurrent disease.

Overview of treatment of obesity in dogs and cats
In humans, current therapeutic options for obesity include dietary management, exercise, psychological and behavioral modification, drug therapy, and surgery. Temporary weight loss, by liposuction, does not have an equivalent effect and does not affect metabolic risk. Liposuction removes only subcutaneous fat, which carries little metabolic risk, and energy intake is unaffected; therefore, bodyweight will rise again to achieve energy balance.  [...]