Entirely Pets

Overweight or obese pets are at risk for the same life-threatening diseases as humans:  type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and many types of cancer.

Unfortunately, when it comes to a pet who needs to lose weight, you can’t just tell him or her to go on a diet, you actually have to participate.  This means visiting your vet and formulating a weight loss plan that includes regular exercise and a nutrition plan that both you and the animal are dedicated to.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention approximately half of cats and dogs were overweight or obese in 2007 — 43% of dogs and 53% of cats were found by veterinary professionals to be over their healthy weight.  And in 2006 Veterinary Pet Insurance, the largest pet insurance agency, spent over $14 million on claims related to obesity.

We love our pets, and we often show that love with food.  One of the biggest causes of overweight pets lies in the fact that owners are over-feeding their pets.

Instead of buying your pet treats, buy him toys that will encourage him to chase and play.  Cats love to chase remote-controlled mice or fish toys on a string. Take your dog to the park with a new ball or Frisbee or for a run on the beach and a swim to cool down after wards.

Cats and dogs are  getting less exercise than they should, especially with an increased intake of calories.  Overweight pets need more exercise but carrying more pounds often leaves them sluggish and unwilling to move around.

You should bring your pet to the vet regularly, but before doing so, you can determine whether your pet is overweight without even breaking out the scale.  The most telling way to discern whether your pet is carrying extra weight is simply by looking at, and feeling, his body.

Signs of pet obesity:

• Hard to feel the ribs
• A sagging stomach that you can grab onto
• The back is flat without visible signs of a waist
• Cats carry excess weight in the lower abdomen and dogs carry weight near the base of their tail, behind their front legs, and along their back
• Check the breathing. If your dog huffs and puffs even after a quick trip up the stairs, or takes a while to recover from a short walk or play session, he or she could have a weight issue.

If you determine that your pet needs to lose weight, look into the type of food that you are feeding your animal and have a discussion with your veterinarian about what could be better alternatives.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has a number of tools to aid weight loss in pets including a list of ideal weight ranges, calorie needs and weight loss suggestions.

The partnership between AVMA and Hill’s also started a PetFit challenge travelling across the country to raise awareness and educate pet owners.  Their website offers, tips, tools and a pledge to keep your pet fit.

Here are some practical solutions to help prevent obesity in dogs and cats so they stay healthy and happy:

Overeating is the primary cause of weight gain in pets. Talk to your vet about reducing your animal’s caloric intake, the possibility of switching to a “diet” food formula, or choosing a higher quality brand of pet food — one with whole, healthy and nutritious ingredients (like meat!) and less fillers and preservatives.

Keep their water bowl full. Hydration is important for good digestion and overall health.

Offer healthy treats like carrot sticks, cantaloupe (many cats love it!), unbuttered popcorn, apple slices, or even bits of banana. Try experimenting with a few crunchy alternatives.

Schedule more pet play and/or walks into your week. For dogs, having a back yard isn’t enough. They won’t “automatically” exercise any more than we will.

If fatty snacks and too much food isn’t the problem, here are a few other possible reasons for weight gain:

• Hormonal disorders, such as an underactive thyroid gland or overactive adrenal gland can often trigger weight gain in our animals. When a dog’s adrenal glands produce too much cortisol it can lead to a condition known as Cushing’s disease. While dogs with Cushing’s disease don’t actually gain weight, their weight is redistributed to the abdomen, giving them that unflattering pot-bellied look. (If you are concerned, ask your vet to check your pet’s hormone levels during his or her next checkup.)
• Slowing metabolism happens to all of us in middle age, including animals. Research shows that middle-aged spread in dogs begins after age five. (So if your pet is already reaching maximum density at age 3, now is the time to make some healthy changes before his or her weight problems get worse.)
• Because of their unique genetic makeup, mixed-breed or purebred beagles, cocker spaniels, collies, shelties, basset hounds, dachshunds, labs and golden retrievers are more prone to weight gain.

So, what do you think? Is it not the appropriate time to put your pet on a diet and exercise?

Filed under Cat, Dog, Entirely Pets, Others | Tags: cancer, diabetes, diet, exrecise, heart disease, hypertension, obese pets, osteoarthritis, overweight, treats |

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