Obesity and diabetes are two of the most common health issues affecting dogs. These conditions are closely interconnected, with obesity being a significant risk factor for the development of diabetes. Managing these issues effectively requires a multidisciplinary approach, including appropriate nutritional support, exercise, and veterinary care.
Calibra VD Dog Diabetes & Obesity, a specially formulated veterinary diet, offers targeted support for helping to manage both conditions effectively, supporting better health and quality of life for affected dogs.
Causes and consequences of obesity
Obesity arises when calorie intake exceeds energy expenditure. Common contributing factors include overfeeding, insufficient exercise, and, in some cases, underlying hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism.
Left untreated, obesity can increase the risk of a range of health issues, including:
- Orthopaedic disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neoplasia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Renal disease
However, it is now widely accepted that the consequences of obesity are far-reaching. Adipose tissue is immunologically active, releasing adipokines which trigger immune responses that contribute to systemic, or metabolic, inflammation.1
Owner awareness
Despite its wide-ranging health implications, owner awareness of obesity in pets remains low. According to UK Pet Food’s latest Pet Obesity Report, only 4% of pet owners believe their pet needs to lose weight. This contrasts sharply with vets, who say that 50% of dogs, and other species, are overweight.2 This discrepancy highlights a significant gap in owner awareness.
While owners may struggle to visually assess whether their pet is a healthy weight, regular weight checks and the use of Body Condition Score tools (Figure 1 and Figure 2) are invaluable. Body Condition Scoring, typically assessed using a nine-point scale, provides a standardised way to evaluate a pet’s physical condition. A score of 6 or higher indicates that a pet is overweight or obese.
Figure 1. Body Condition Score chart for dogs
Figure 2. Body Condition Score chart for cats
Tailored management plans
Nutritional therapy is the cornerstone of obesity management in dogs and cats. Diet plans need to be tailored to the individual, based on the pet’s needs, aiming for a steady weight loss of 0.5 – 2% of body weight per week. Key components include:
- Dietary adjustments
- Controlled calorie reduction using a veterinary diet to ensure proper nutrition while supporting weight loss.
- High fibre foods to promote satiety, reduce begging behaviour and improve owner compliance.
- Increased high quality protein content to preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss.
- Increased physical activity
- Tailored exercise plans to complement dietary changes.
- Veterinary monitoring
- Regular follow-ups allow for adjustments to the weight loss plan based on progress and provide owners with ongoing support.
Veterinary diets for obesity management
Veterinary diets offer distinct advantages over simply reducing the amount of standard commercial pet food. Calibra VD Dog Diabetes & Obesity is formulated to support weight reduction and maintenance, offering:
- Low calorie content and carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index (GI) to support weight loss and stabilise blood sugar levels (Figure 3).
- Increased fibre for satiety.
- Added L-carnitine to promote fat metabolism.
- High protein content to maintain muscle mass during weight reduction.
- Chondroprotectives to support joint health and minimise strain on the musculoskeletal system.
Figure 3. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels after high GI and low GI meals
What is L-carnitine?
L-carnitine plays a critical role in energy production, helping to transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitcochondria, where they are oxidised to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Obesity: a risk factor for diabetes
Diabetes mellitus can arise from several underlying causes, including pancreatitis, autoimmune disorders, and endocrine conditions such as Cushing’s disease. However, obesity significantly increases the risk of developing this condition.
Insulin, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar, enables glucose to enter cells, where it is used for energy production. In obese dogs, excess body fat leads to insulin resistance, a state in which cells respond poorly to insulin signals. Over time, this resistance places undue stress on the pancreas, eventually impairing its ability to produce adequate insulin and resulting in diabetes.
Nutritional management of diabetes
A carefully managed diet is essential for diabetic dogs. Nutritional goals include:
- Stabilising blood glucose levels with low glycaemic index carbohydrates.
- Maintaining muscle mass through high-protein content.
- Reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids.
- Supporting energy utilisation with ingredients such as L-carnitine.
Feeding smaller, regular meals throughout the day can help minimise blood sugar fluctuations. Additionally, only vet-approved treats should be given to prevent glucose spikes.
Why choose Calibra VD Dog Diabetes & Obesity?
Maintaining a healthy weight is key, especially when managing diabetes. Calibra VD Dog Diabetes & Obesity has been designed to address the shared nutritional needs of obese and diabetic dogs. With a high-protein recipe, polyphenols and flavonoids from green tea and turmeric and a metabolic management complex to support fat utilisation and optimise blood sugar control, it provides a targeted dietary solution.
Long-term management
Once a dog has achieved its ideal weight, maintaining this progress is crucial. Transitioning to a weight maintenance diet ensures the dog continues to receive balanced nutrition with fewer calories, supporting a healthy, active lifestyle.
By combining nutritional therapy with regular exercise and close veterinary supervision, conditions like obesity and diabetes can be managed effectively, improving both the quality of life and overall health of canine patients.
References
- Tilg, H., Ianiro, G., Gasbarrini, A. et al. Adipokines: masterminds of metabolic inflammation. Nat Rev Immunol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-024-01103-Bottom of Form
- UK Pet Food Pet Obesity Report 2024