Obesity and Weight Loss

Do canned and dry versions of a food always have similar nutrient profiles?

No

What resources can be utilized for more information about a diet?

Pet food company/manufacturer and veterinary nutritionists

Talking to veterinary nutritionists can be especially helpful for patients with…

multiple co-morbidities

Is making sound nutrition recommendations always easy?

No, but it’s important

Nutrition should be thought about in the context of…

other medical recommendations

What is the number 1 nutritional disease in dogs and cats?

Obesity

What percent overweight classifies as overweight?

<20%

What percent overweight classifies as obese?

>20%

What BCS classifies as overweight?

6-7

What BCS classifies as obese?

8+

What percent of dogs are overweight?

59%

What percent of cats are overweight?

61%

Why is client communication around obesity important?

optimize health, wellness, and lifespan

How well are therapeutic diets utilized in overweight pets?

underutilized

What percent of clients report cost-related concerns regarding therapeutic diets?

40%

Steps for formulating a weight loss plan

1. Assess patient and rule out underlying diseases

2. Estimate ideal body weight (IBW)

3. Set calorie restriction

4. Pick a diet

5. Make a treat allowance plan

6. Encourage active lifestyle

7. Follow up and reassess

How should a patient be assessed?

• PE

• Weight, BCS, MCS

• Rule out comorbidities

• Repro status

Neutered pets are _ times more likely to be overweight

3-4

Methods for determining IBW

• Historic

• Estimate from current BCS

What % overweight is a BCS 6?

10

What % overweight is a BCS 7?

20

What % overweight is a BCS 8?

30

What % overweight is a BCS 9?

40

What % overweight is a BCS >9?

>40

Equation for weight needing to be lost

current weight x percent overweight (based on BCS)

Equation for ideal weight

current weight - weight to be lost

How to set ideal calorie restriction if current calorie intake is known

Feed 80% of current calories

How to set ideal calorie restriction if current calorie intake is unknown

Calculate RER using ideal BW in kg and multiply by weight loss MER

Therapeutic diets should be considered if the patient needs to lose ___% of body weight

>20

Why are therapeutic diets helpful?

Help manage loss of micronutrients with caloric reduction

AAFCO terms for weight loss diets

Light, lite, low calorie, reduced calorie

Are weight management, healthy weight, weight care, or weight control regulated terms?

No

VTD

therapeutic diets - used for management of specific conditions with different ingredients from OTC diets

____ has specific guidelines for labeling and marketing of canine and feline food intended to treat and prevent diseases

FDA

Considerations of weight loss diet for dogs and cats

Must contain enough hihg quality protein to prevent loss of lean muscle mass

What are specific considerations for choosing a weight loss diet in cats?

Must be high in protein and low in energy/fat and carbs due to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

How to increase satiety in dogs

Increase fiber

How to increase satiety in cats

increase water

Treats should account for ___% of daily calories

<10

What are some tools for keeping treats within recommended calorie restriction?

• Food-dispensing toys

• Green beans

• Kong with frozen low calorie canned food

How should progress be monitored?

Weigh ins every 2-4 wks (at home or in office)

Record updated weight, BCS & MCS

Calculate rate of loss

What should the rate of weight loss be in a dog?

1-2% BW lost/week

What should the rate of weight loss be in a cat?

0.5-2% BW lost/week

You should slow down a pet’s weight loss if:

• loss exceeds recommended % loss per week

• Muscle condition changes