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| Obesity in Pets |
| Keep Your Pet from Gaining Weight |
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Before dogs and cats were domesticated, they survived in the wild by hunting for food. Forced to roam around all day in search of a meal, these animals could often spend days or without food in their stomachs. They were lean and their muscles were toned.
However, modern cats and dogs no longer have to face this ongoing challenge. Now kept as pets (or "animal companions", if you prefer), these creatures have become our friends and family members. Their caretakers provide both food and shelter. Without a daily struggle for survival, you can imagine what may happen to these animals as a result of their modern sedentary lifestyle.
Estimates indicate about 40% of pets in America are overweight, though some experts suggest there are more obese animals than research shows. The mechanism for becoming overweight is easy to understand. When your dogs and cats take in more calories than they use, weight gain begins. If your pets eat well and have plenty of treats, but do not spend much time on physical activities, chances are they may be on their way to undesirable weight gain.
There are, naturally, exceptions to this. Like humans, pets can suffer from diseases that influence the metabolism, like diabetes and hypothyroidism. So, if your pet begins to gain weight suddenly and you're thinking about putting them on a diet, please consult your veterinarian first to make sure the change in weight is not caused by any illness. (This is a good suggestion to follow any time something unexpectedly changes in your pet's physical or emotional state, by the way.) Even if disease can be ruled out, discussing your dieting plans for your pet with a veterinarian can still be helpful and informative.
Taking some kind of action is a good idea, because if obesity is ignored, many physical problems may show up as a result. When pets get overweight and become less active, their metabolism slows down...causing even more weight gain (unless you reduce the amount of food they receive). Excess fats put more stress on their bodies -- on their joints and their internal organs. As a result, obese pets can become more susceptible to diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes (especially cats), high blood pressure, arthritis, and so on. Overweight pets can also become the victims of infections more frequently than leaner pets. Saddest of all, an obese pet's lifespan may be shorter as a result of his or her unhealthy status.
Even if you don't have a scale that's sensitive enough to weigh your pets, you can still get a rough idea about whether or not they are becoming obese. Feel your animal's ribs by moving your fingers back and forth. Can you feel each rib? If you cannot feel their ribs, or more than one inch layer of fat is covering them, your pets may be overweight. Note that this approach may not be appropriate for all breeds.
Of course, putting your animal on a scale is certainly a good way to be sure. However, your pets may still look "chubby", even if their body weight is suitable for their breed. Since fat is lighter than muscle, if the animal has less muscle and more fat stored in the body, the resulting weight may seem normal, but the pet is still visibly overweight. A muscular, lean and well-toned dog, for example, may actually weigh more than a chubby, less muscular dog of the same size. (As another example, women experience this from time to time, when they find their pants have become tighter, but the scale reading hasn't changed. This typically means the woman has gained fat and lost muscle.)
What can you do to cope with the problem of obesity in your pets? Here are some ideas:
- Do not leave pet food in your animal's dish. Setting out food "all day" is a common practice among pet owners who, not coincidentally, have overweight pets. When you provide your pets with a constant buffet of food, it becomes more difficult to monitor exactly how much they are eating.
- Divide food into smaller portions. Instead of feeding one large amount of food once per day, try feeding your pets two or three times daily using smaller portions. Your animals may feel more satisfied and therefore will beg for food less often. However, make sure the total amount of food you're giving doesn't exceed the recommended amount for your breed.
- Monitor your pet's weight regularly. The recommended feeding amounts provided on the pet food label is only a suggestion. In practice, each pet has a different metabolism, eating habit, and level of physical activity. Neutering also slows down an animal's metabolism. The best approach is to monitor your specific pet, and then adjust the volume of food accordingly.
- Provide a good-quality pet food. Low-quality commercial foods and sweet treats make the pet want to eat more. This is because these foods lack the proper balance of nutrients, leaving your animal needing more. Your pets may crave excessive amounts of food to compensate for the shortage of nutrition in their bodies.
- Exercise your pet. This is very self-explanatory -- we all know that exercise is good. Walk with your dog daily. Get some toys for your cat and play together. You may also benefit, too -- you'll get outside more, get more exercise yourself, and play helps you bond better with your pet.
Changing the eating habits of your pets is critical to avoiding obesity. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit (especially cats). Once a good habit is established, all you need to do is stick with it. The key to success in weight reduction and control is to make the change slowly. Dr. Jane Bicks, the holistic veterinarian and formulator of Life's Abundance Premium Health Food for Dogs and Cats, gives advice that animals should not lose more than 1% - 2% of body weight per week.
Remember, house-kept pets cannot control what they eat. They are depending on you to decide what goes into their bodies. Leaner pets are happier pets, and you will be happier to see them romping around, fit and healthy, as if they were puppies and kittens again.
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Special Note: Although every effort has been made to present healthy products and useful information to support your pets' health, the products and information contained within this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The contents of this site are not meant as a substitute for consultation with a trained veterinarian. If you are concerned about the health of your pets, you should ask your veterinarian for proper guidance suited to the specific condition of your pets. The owners of this website accept no liability for any consequences resulting from the use of products and/or information provided through this site. Please use your discretion when attending to your pets' health. |
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