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It is not just humans who put on weight if they eat too much and do not get enough exercise – pets do too. The dieting advice is similar for both: lose the weight slowly and sensibly.
“There are multiple studies confirming that almost half of cats and dogs are overweight,” says Petra Koelle, senior doctor at an animal clinic run by the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, in Germany.
The Body Condition Score (BCS), which is the pet version of the Body Mass Index, is a common method used to assess an animal’s body.
Ideally, cats and dogs should have a clearly visible waist and an upwardly slanting abdomen. The ribs should not be visible but easily felt.

“Since so many pets are overweight, most people have simply got used to it and even perceive dogs and cats who are a healthy weight as being too thin,” says Uta Wilmer, a veterinary surgeon specialising in nutrition for dogs and cats.
Dogs and cats often put on weight if they are given too many treats in between meals. Treats are packed with calories – similar to chocolate, crisps and other snacks for us humans. The animal may be happy when they get one, but the owner is not doing them any favours in the long term.

The list of harmful effects of being overweight is long: animals are more likely to have problems with their joints, skin and allergies. They are at a higher risk of diabetes and even tumours. If they have to undergo an operation, the risk of complications under anaesthesia increases.
Being overweight is particularly problematic for dogs who already have trouble breathing, such as pugs or French bulldogs. As fat accumulates around the neck, it becomes even more difficult for them to breathe. Animals that are already overweight at an early age are also prone to joint diseases.
“Several studies have shown that overweight dogs live two to three years less on average than their counterparts with the ideal weight,” explains Koelle.
In dog years, that is a very long time. The average lifespan for a dog is 12 to 13 years, so being overweight can rob the animal of a quarter of their life. Even overweight cats die earlier on average than those with a normal figure.
Genes also play a role in whether an animal is slim or full-figured. Greyhounds and many hunting dogs rarely tend to be overweight; while among cats, the Oriental shorthair is naturally sleek in build.

Labradors, beagles, pugs and dachshunds, on the other hand, are prone to putting on weight, as they love to eat and never get full. Castrated and older animals are also at a higher risk of obesity, as they have lower calorie requirements.
So what can you do to get your pet back into shape? Vets advise against simply reducing the amount of food you give them.
“This leads to a lack of nutrients,” says Wilmer. Your pet should not lose more than one to two per cent of its weight per week – losing too much weight too quickly can lead to the dreaded yo-yo effect.
Ask your vet about special diet foods for pets, which contain all the nutrients they need but fewer calories.
However, before putting a pet with a liver or kidney disease on a diet, you should discuss this with a vet in advance, as these four-legged friends have special requirements.

Weigh your pet once a week at the same time to check on their progress.
It is best to avoid treats between meals, although carrots, rice cakes or low-calorie treats are a healthy option. Feeding your pet scraps from the dining table is an absolute no-go, no matter how much they beg. Stroking them, playing with them or taking them for a walk are all better ways to show affection.
It is important to weigh the amount of food for each day. Cats should only receive small portions anyway, but ideally should be fed up to 10 times a day. This is most in keeping with their nature. If you cannot do so yourself, consider getting an automatic feeder to help out.
If you feed your dog dry food, you can take some with you when you go for a walk and give it out as a reward for listening to you or behaving well on the walk.

With cats, you can hide their food so they have to look for it or you can play a game where they have to try and catch it. Making your cat or dog work for their food has a number of advantages: it stops them from getting bored and strengthens the bond between you and your pet.
Further dietary tricks that also work on humans include using a smaller bowl, so that the portion looks bigger, according to Wilmer.
Depending on the animal’s preferences, add some grated vegetables such as cucumber or carrots to the food. This does not add too many extra calories, but pads out the meal.


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Is your cat or dog overweight? Get them back into shape with smaller bowls, ban on snacks

An overweight pet may look cute to its owner, but their excess weight could be shortening their lifespan. Experts explain how to get them back in shape. Photo: Shutterstock

Ideally, cats and dogs should have a clearly visible waist and an upwardly slanting abdomen. If they do not, they are overweight. Photo: Kevin Kwong

Cats should only receive small portions of food, but ideally should be fed up to 10 times a day. Photo: Shutterstock

Dogs and cats often put on weight if they are given too many treats in between meals. Photo: Shutterstock

If cats and dogs have to undergo an operation, the risk of complications under anaesthesia increases if they are overweight. Photo: Shutterstock

If you feed your dog dry food, take some with you when you go for a walk and give it out as a reward for behaving well. Photo: Shutterstock

Why fat cats may be ally in the fight against human obesity – their guts are like ours

In developed countries, roughly 63 per cent of cats are obese. Photo: Shutterstock

Researchers put obese cats on a diet and studied how microbes in their guts reacted, finding clues that could help treat obesity in humans. Photo: Shutterstock

The study showed that “when we calorie-restrict cats that are obese, we can alter their microbial ecosystem”, says lead study author Jenessa Winston. Photo: Ohio State University

Studying how diet affects cat microbiomes may help us better understand how diet affects human microbiomes. Photo: Shutterstock

The study featured seven obese cats, which were put on four-phase diets over a 16-week period, including commercial cat food and calorie-restricted diets. Photo: Shutterstock

Cat owners bring their pets to Shanghai Museum’s ancient Egypt exhibit celebrating them

Amy carries her cat, Trump, at the Shanghai Museum, which invited 200 cat owners and their pets to view its ancient Egypt exhibition. Photo: AFP

A man carries his cat in a case at the Shanghai Museum. Photo: AFP

A cat rests on its owner’s shoulder while at the Shanghai Museum. Photo: AFP

How Indians use an edible gum to keep cool in searing heat, and its other health benefits

Tragacanth gum and natural rose syrup with honey in a refreshing summer drink. Photo: Shutterstock


Many Indians swear by the cooling and hydrating properties of tragacanth gum, especially during the summer heat. The superfood is used in Ayurveda, and has numerous health and nutritional benefits. Photo: Shutterstock

Nitya Hegde, a Pune-based culinary artist and fitness trainer, adds tragacanth gum to cold drinks to ward off heatstroke. Photo: Nitya Hegde

Neha Deepak Shah, a chef based in Gurgaon, India says tragacanth gum is the perfect addition to summer drinks and smoothies, as it helps you stay cool and hydrated. Photo: Neha Deepak Shah

Vegan diet could be an anti-ageing and weight-loss hack, study of identical twins suggests

Eating a vegan diet could lower your biological age and help you lose weight, according to a recent study of identical twins. Photo: Shutterstock

Eating a vegan diet may reduce a person’s biological age, a study suggests. One of each of 21 pairs of identical twins ate a vegan diet, while their sibling ate an omnivorous one. The study found reductions in the plant eaters’ weight and biological age. Photo: Shutterstock

The sibling who ate only plant-based meals for eight weeks showed signs of a decrease in biological ageing. Photo: Shutterstock

The vegan group was asked to eat twice the number of portions of vegetables, and more fruit and more legumes, nuts and seeds than the omnivorous group. Photo: Shutterstock

How the Mediterranean diet helps you age well by protecting brain and body health

The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating whole, minimally processed foods with an emphasis on plant-based dishes. Photo: Shutterstock 

From reducing inflammation and pain from arthritis and lowering cholesterol to improving brain and heart health, the Mediterranean diet can help you age extremely well, an expert says. Photo: Shutterstock 

The Mediterranean diet emphasises whole, minimally processed foods such as beans, seeds and legumes, antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and moderate portions of lean protein like seafood. Photo: Shutterstock

If you are a picky eater, try to incorporate something you have never had before each week, and do not be afraid to give another try to something you think you dislike. Photo: Shutterstock

Flavourings like cloves, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, paprika and turmeric add intense flavour and provide antioxidants. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Food & Drink

Health & Wellness

Health

Being overweight has many impacts for pets that should not be ignored – so, say the experts, stop feeding your cat or dog so many snacks


A fat cat or dog may look cute to its owner, but being overweight could shorten their lives. Experts explain how pets can pile on the pounds, and how to reverse the process.


Wellness