Obesity in cats and dogs can cause health problems. Some pet owners may not be aware of the health risks associated with obesity. Pet owners may even think that their pets look cuter being overweight and that there is no cause for concern.

Diabetes and arthritis can cause significant, ongoing problems for pets. Obesity in cats and dogs increases their risk of developing these and other medical conditions. An obese pet should be taken to a veterinarian for help in getting the pet to a normal body weight.

The veterinarian may do blood tests to rule out possible medical causes for the obesity. There are medical conditions that may contribute to the pets obesity and can cause other health problems.

Metabolic disorders like thyroid conditions can contribute to obesity. If the pet has a condition that has affected their weight, treatment for this condition may help with the treatment of the obesity and any symptoms the metabolic disorder has caused.

The pet owners may need to change some of their behaviors that may have contributed to the obesity. Free range feeding, also known as free choice feeding, can contribute to pet obesity since the pet can freely eat as much as they want.

Feeding a pet too many pet treats or table scraps can cause the pet to become overweight. Many times, when a pet owner is giving table scraps to a pet, the pet owner gives foods that are high in fat or carbohydrates. Fat and carbohydrates are problematic for pet weight management.

A lack of exercise can be part of the reason that a pet becomes overweight. If a dog owner neglects to take the dog for daily walks or engage the dog in active play, the dog may become overweight. If a pet is obese, the pet owner should increase the amount of exercise that the animal gets.

The pet owner should feed the pet a low calorie diet or at least food that is low in carbohydrates. The pet owner may want to consult the veterinarian about the best pet food for the treatment of obesity and the proper serving size.