If you’ve recently visited your veterinarian for a checkup with your cat or dog, you may have been instructed to start watching what your pet is eating. Just as extra weight can cause additional health risks in humans, your pets can also develop complications connected with obesity. Consider the following four health conditions that could arise if your pet remains overweight.

Top Health Problems Observed in Obese Pets

1. Joint Pain

Carrying extra weight can put your cat or dog at risk of experiencing pain in their joints, bones, and ligaments. As the excess weight strains your pet’s joints, they also become more likely to develop arthritis later in life. If you notice your pet struggling to walk, run or climb stairs, talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to help alleviate joint pain.

2. Diabetes

Being overweight causes your pet’s body to produce more insulin in response to the increased blood sugar level. Over time, the body can’t keep up with the insulin requirements, and the pancreas must work harder. Without treatment from a veterinarian, the pancreas will experience “burnout” and can cause diabetes in your cat or dog.

3. Heart Disease

Hypertension has been observed more frequently in pets over the last 30 years due to poor diets and little exercise. When your pet is overweight, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. If this continues for an extended amount of time, congestive heart failure can result from this overexertion.

4. Difficulty Breathing

When your animal is carrying too much weight, the lungs have a difficult time functioning properly. As the weight continues to increase, the lungs become restricted, and your cat or dog will have trouble breathing. This can make it difficult to return to the ideal range because stamina is typically lower as well. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a special food for your pet to help decrease their weight and may also suggest beginning an exercise routine to follow.

If you notice your pet is carrying a little more weight than they should be, talk with the professionals at Lillian Veterinary Hospital in Baldwin County, AL. The veterinarian on staff has more than 22 years of experience in pet care, from nutrition counseling and vaccinations to emergency services. To learn more about this compassionate clinic, visit them online or call (251) 962-2304.