In the last decade, cats and dogs have been becoming increasingly fat, and veterinarians and animal care takers are concerned over the implications of these obese pets.
The rise in popularity of weight reduction pet foods and tipping scales are clear indicators that cats and dogs, like people, are adding to their waistlines. Overweight and grossly obese pets top the list as one of the top problems veterinarians face on a regular basis.
What is causing all of these obese cats and dogs? It boils down to two common denominators: too much food and too little exercise.
Food: Too Much of a Good Thing
As cats and dogs have moved indoors, their place at the dinner table (sometimes literally) has been cemented. They receive a plethora of food: their dinner, snacks, and table scraps.
As humans, we often equate love with food, and unfortunately, too many pets are eagerly taking the bait. Just because a cat or dog eats doesn’t mean it’s hungry or that it needs it.
Another issue is the serving size of dinner. Each bag of pet food gives an approximate serving size, but these are generalizations, and many cats and dogs do not need as much food as the label indicates. Consulting with a pet’s veterinarian on serving size can help get to a more realistic portion size.
Exercise: Not Enough
People have transitioned into a more sedentary lifestyle with the computer and television replacing many of the outdoor activities that were once the norm. As our lifestyles have transitioned, our pets’ activities have too.
All dogs should receive daily exercise outdoors in the form of walks, swimming, jogging, or some other similar exercise routine. Cats should be encouraged to play with indoor toys, run up and down stairs, or climb ceiling-height towers.
Unfortunately, dogs and cats are not getting the amount of exercise that is needed to keep them fit and trim.
What Does All The Fat Mean?
The implication is quite simple: it is affecting a beloved pet’s health in a detrimental manner. It might start out innocently enough with just an extra pound or two but to put it into perspective, an extra pound or two on a dog or cat is more like fifteen on a human.
Extra weight has terrible effects on a cat or dog’s health and lifespan. Fat applies unnecessary pressure on vital organs. It puts tremendous strain on joints causing early breakdown and arthritis. Many diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, are also directly linked to obesity.
Being overweight also takes some of the joy out of a pet’s life. They are not able to walk, run, or play as much as they would like. Many are relegated to being a couch potato, whether they want to or not.
Develop a Plan
The best choice is prevention by providing a high quality food in the proper portioned amounts coupled with exercise. In the event a pet is already overweight, caution should be exercised in weight reduction.
One must be particularly careful in cats. Loosing too much weight at one time or not eating regularly can cause a liver problem. Every pet must take its time to loose weight at a pace that works for them.
Before beginning a large scale weight loss program, it is best to first schedule a veterinarian visit to insure a pet is healthy enough to begin the program. Ask what your dog or cat should ideally weigh. Then, consult with your veterinarian to determine how many calories should be reduced from the daily diet and how much exercise a pet can reasonably handle to start.
A pet that is unaccustomed to an exercise routine can quickly exhaust itself, overheat, or stress its heart and lungs. Start slowly on exercise and work up to fitness levels. For overweight cats, exercise may just be 10 minutes with a fishing pole toy. For dogs, it might be a walk around the block. Eventually, you will be able to build up to levels that are healthy as your pet begins to lose weight and become more fit.
Be sure to schedule weigh-ins to assess your pet’s progress and stay on course. Remember, the weight didn’t happen overnight, and it may very well take several months to take it off, depending on how overweight your pet is. But, getting your pet back on a healthy track will add years of happiness to its life.
