{"id":4057,"date":"2019-06-07T07:49:40","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T11:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?post_type=articles&p=4057"},"modified":"2022-02-03T21:01:57","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T21:01:57","slug":"alternative-ways-to-discuss-pet-obesity-and-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/nutrition\/alternative-ways-to-discuss-pet-obesity-and-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative Ways to Discuss Pet Obesity and Weight Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 2017 report by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that more than 100 million dogs and cats in the United States are overweight.1<\/sup> \u201cThe number of pets with clinical obesity continues to increase,\u201d says APOP founder Ernie Ward, DVM. \u201cWe\u2019re continuing to see more pets diagnosed with obesity rather than overweight. Clinical obesity results in more secondary conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and certain forms of cancer. Pets with obesity also have reduced quality of life and shorter life expectancy.\u201d1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Despite this troubling report, veterinary professionals struggle to discuss pet obesity with a client, usually because they fear offending or upsetting him or her. Compounding this issue is that when it comes to nutrition, clients tend to take advice from just about anyone but a veterinary professional. While 57% of pet owners reported seeking nutritional advice for their animals from veterinarians, according to the APOP survey, 77% of the respondents also reported getting nutritional information from online sources, pet stores, and friends.1<\/sup> For these reasons, veterinary teams need to find alternative ways to avoid upsetting their clients and to gain their trust in communicating the best nutritional requirements for their patients.<\/p>\n

Know What You\u2019re Talking About<\/h2>\n

Every veterinary team member has learned that nutrition is the fifth vital assessment and that sound nutritional recommendations for patients should be included in every veterinary appointment. The nutritional assessment is a 2-part process that begins with a screening evaluation.2<\/sup> Based on these findings, an extended nutritional evaluation may be required. The screening evaluation includes obtaining a history and performing a physical examination on every patient. An extended evaluation is essential when one or more nutrition-related risk factors are found or suspected based on the initial screening evaluation.3<\/sup> In an ideal world, every dog and cat would be eating the exact requirements based on their life stage and the recommended requirements of the American Association of Feed Control Officials.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Start the Conversation<\/h2>\n

One of the most common\u2014and also extremely difficult\u2014nutritional discussions to have is the weight loss conversation. Clients may not believe their pet is overweight, let alone realize how they contributed to their animal\u2019s obesity.<\/p>\n

It is important to get clients to realize that they play a huge part in why the animal is overweight or obese. It is also a topic that needs to be handled delicately. Discussing the results of objective tools, such as blood tests that indicate too much fat or radiology images that show \u201cextra rolls,\u201d can serve as a conversation starter. Explain that even a little extra weight can affect the pet\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n

A landmark lifetime study of Labrador retrievers showed that overweight dogs live almost 2 years less than normal-weight dogs.6<\/sup> Because of these health risks, the veterinary team must ensure that the client agrees that weight loss needs to take place. Take the time to discuss the risks that obese dogs and cats develop:<\/p>\n