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News and Information
Here you will find pet care and health related articles
along with informational posting from local shelters and rescue groups.
PPP 2005 News – Second
Quarter
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It's an Epidemic! Obese Pets in America
Not only are Americans getting paunchier, so are their pets. More than 40
percent of American household pets are overweight or obese, according to data
released by Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., the nation's largest health insurance
provider for pets.
According to the American Association of Obesity, 64.5 percent of adult
Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or obese.
''As we have moved to a more sedentary and pampered culture, so have our
pets,'' Dr. Peter Weinstein, medical director of Veterinary Pet Insurance,
told PetPlace.com. ''Today, pets enjoy the same comfort food choices, plush
surroundings and relaxed lifestyles that many Americans typically enjoy.''
Overweight owners are three times more likely to have overweight pets,
according to Dr. Aine McCarthy, director of veterinary marketing for VPI.
Pets that are 10 percent to 15 percent above the ideal body weight for their
specific breed are considered obese. Causes of pet obesity include lack of
exercise, improper pet food, overfeeding and age. As with humans, obesity is
known to be associated with or can exacerbate a variety of medical conditions,
such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and diabetes.
A waddling gait or sluggish or lethargic behavior is a telltale sign that your
pet is overweight. If owners cannot feel or see their pet's ribs, they are
probably overweight, says McCarthy.
To combat pet obesity, she suggests starting with the amount and type of food
being poured into your pet's bowl. ''Diet and portion size should be chosen
with the help of your veterinarian based upon the age and activity level of
your pet,'' she said, adding that pet owners should try to avoid rewarding or
enticing your pet with too many treats.
Pet owners should also establish a regular exercise routine for their pets.
For dogs, a simple walk around the neighborhood is good for both pet and
owner. According to McCarthy, most dogs enjoy exercise unless they are sick or
in pain. Cats are less active by nature but can be enticed to play and
exercise with a variety of different toys.
''The earlier you catch a weight-related issue, the less life-threatening it
might become,'' said McCarthy.
Reports that Americans are getting fatter doesn't come as a surprise to the
many of us who get on a scale regularly. And it certainly isn't news to
veterinarians, who've been watching an ever-larger flow of fatter people bring
fatter pets into their hospitals and clinics.
Although there's not always a connection -- the dog-show world is full of
large people with lean, well-conditioned animals -- most dogs, cats and even
birds are getting larger for the same reason people are: too much food and not
enough exercise.
Obesity in pets causes a lot of the same problems it does in people. An
overweight pet is prone to a host of related problems, including: diabetes,
joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart challenges.
Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom
themselves properly. The overall impact on comfort and longevity can be dire.
The good news is that it's not as difficult to trim down pets as it might be
to fight your own battles with the bulge. After all, pets can't open the
refrigerator on their own, nor can they grab the car keys for a fast-food run or
phone out for pizza. What pets eat is wholly dependent on what we give them. And
although we might shudder at the idea of exercise, our pets are always up for a
brisk walk, a game of fetch, or some play with a toy on a string. They love to
move, especially if we're moving with them.
Is your pet overweight? Healthy pets have some padding on them, but a little
is plenty. Rub your hands over the ribs of your dog or cat. The skin should move
easily back and forth, and you should be able to feel the ribs. Your pet should
have a definable "waist" at the bottom of the rib cage, a small tuck-in at the
stomach. Take a look from the side: If your pet looks pregnant, he's fat. From
above, a bump out from the middle into an apple shape is equally bad news. In
birds, look for a thicker breast or rolls of fat.
Certain breeds and species seem more susceptible to spread. In dogs,
Labradors beef up pretty easily, as do cockers and beagles. Less-active cats
such as Persians are more prone to gaining weight than the go-go breeds such as
the Siamese. And in birds, Amazon parrots are the likeliest candidates to become
perch potatoes.
Crash diets aren't good for pets, especially not for fat cats, who can
develop a fatal liver problem if forced to reduce too quickly. A pet doesn't get
fat overnight, and he shouldn't be forced to change course any more rapidly.
What you'll need to do is change your pet's eating and exercise habits
gradually.
The best place to start is with a trip to your veterinarian. You'll want to
make sure your pet doesn't have any problems that might make lifestyle changes
difficult or dangerous. Your vet can also suggest a food plan that might help.
Carve some time out of your schedule to walk your dog or play with your cat
-- three times a week, at least. Be sure to work in some aerobic exercise,
anything that gets a cat or dog running. Birds can benefit from a curled-rope
spring perch; they have to work to stay on the thing, decreasing boredom and
increasing calorie burn.
Whatever food regimen you and your veterinarian decide on, be determined to
stick to it. Get out of the habit of expressing love for your pets by constantly
handing them treats. Substitute mini rice cakes and small carrot sticks for the
occasional dog treat. Dogs like them just fine, and they're not going to
sabotage any weight-loss efforts.
Yes, it'll be hard in the beginning, what with those begging eyes and all.
But don't give in. Your pet's life will be happier and longer if he's not
burdened by obesity.
Healthy Pet Eating
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If you are a pet rescue group or shelter, and would like us to post any
informative articles you may have, or any information about your upcoming events
or fundraisers, please send an email to
webmaster@housesittersplus.com
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