Occurrence and management of obesity in companion animals

Obesity is the most common malnutrition of pet animals. Risk factors include the pet's age, gender, activity level, owner attitudes toward obesity, and alterations in intrinsic and extrinsic controls of feeding behaviour and differences in resting metabolic rate. The power of clinical nutrition in veterinary practice can be expressed through careful client and pet evaluation and by dispensing proper advice on diet selection and feeding quantity. A weight management programme should be conducted under the direction of the professional veterinarian using scientifically formulated weight reduction diets and a programme of exercise deemed medically appropriate.