Obesity

Keywords:
Obese, over weight, fat, diet, exercise, treats, eat, metabolism, feed, schedule, digestion, diabetes, heart, lung, disease, prevention, weight

Obesity

Obesity

Chubby, chunky, extra fluffy, or even full figured. These are all terms I use when giving a physical examination to my client's pets. But you get the idea, these are all ways of saying their pet is fat. Obesity is affecting our pets in epidemic proportions. It is defined as being 20% over your body's ideal weight.

So why are our pets battling the bulge just like so many of their owners? There is a myriad of causes. Pet owners lead busy lives. When you come home from a long day at work, it is hard enough to motivate yourself to go out and exercise, taking your dog for a walk or playing with your cat is probably the furthest thing from your mind. And then there is the guilt factor. You want to spend more quality time with your cat or dog but there are only so many hours in the day. As you head out the door on one more errand, you toss your pet a treat or two to assuage your guilt.

And it is not just treats that lead to a packing on pounds. A trip down the pet food aisle at your local grocery store is mind boggling. Premium pet foods with gourmet ingredients make the repast we place in front of our pets irresistible. And admit it; it brings joy to any owners' heart to see their furry friends gobble down a meal. Making our pets happy makes us happy. Here, eat some more!

Neutering a pet does slow down its metabolism but that alone does not account for their expanding girth. Owners are often at fault. We mistakenly continue to feed them as though they were growing pets. When the only growing they are doing after reaching puberty is out not up.

Clients will often ask, `how can my pet be fat? I'm following the pet food manufacturers feeding guidelines.' The guides are based on very active cats and dogs. Honestly, is your pet a world class athlete or a couch potato?

Hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, and hyperadrenocorticism, cushing disease are but two of many that may lead to an increase in your pet's weight.

Obesity robs your pet of a good quality of life. The extra weight puts a tremendous burden on their heart, lungs, and joints. Digestive maladies, skin disorders and accelerated chances of developing diabetes are linked to obesity. It also puts your pet at increased risk if an anesthetic procedure is required.

So how do you know if your pet is overweight? When your pet is standing and you look down on it, you should see a waistline after its ribs. If it is a snausage, the same size from its shoulders to hips, it is overweight. When you place your hands on the side of its chest, with a bit of pressure, you should be able to feel its ribs. If you are pinching an inch, it is fat.

Weight loss strategy is a combination of sensible calorie restriction and increased exercise. Your veterinarian can assist your canine companions in its quest to regain its svelte figure with medication that eases their hunger pangs.

With appropriate exercise and attention to proper nutrition, you can add years to your pet's life. Obesity is a preventable disease. The battle of the bulge takes the cooperation of all members of the family. And remember, your pet did not get chubby overnight; it is going to take time and patience to return your pet to optimal health.

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Daily Pet News


Take caution when choosing a weight loss food for your fat cat
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again… An animal that is not overweight will live 30% longer than an overweight animal. So if you have a fat cat, do it a favor and put it on a diet. But before you do, know that 50% of weight control cat foods cannot do what they claim to do. The report from the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that the best way to help your pet is to design a weight loss program with the help of your veterinarian.

Does the thunder roll your dog into a cold dark corner?
If your dog is like mine, then he crawls under the covers or into a cold dark space when the thunder rolls. Experts say the best way to battle these fears is with love and treats. The fear of loud booming noises usually develops as a puppy and can worsen with age. However, positive reinforcement such as petting your dog or offering a treat can help to rewire the circuit. That is, they will now associate the thunder with pleasant events, rather than fear of injury. Between storms, playing loud sounds and using positive reinforcement, can help to desensitize your pet to the real thing. If things do not improve, you can ask your veterinarian about anti-anxiety drugs.

Some foods that are toxic to dogs
Some foods that are considered healthy or harmless to humans can be toxic to dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends keeping these items away from your dogs… Alcohol, caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, and chewing gum. It is also advisable to limit intake of salt and sugar.

Babies can read facial expressions in dogs
A study at Brigham Young University has concluded that human babies as young as six months can tell the difference between an angry growl and a friendly bark. The study included showing two different pictures of the same dog to the infants, all of which lived with dogs. One picture was an angry looking dog with a scowl. The other was a playful looking dog with a nice smile. When playing a recording of a growling dog, the subjects tended to stare at the picture of the angry dog. When playing audio of a playful bark, the infants then focused on the happy looking dog. A BYU professor said that emotion is one of the first things babies can pick up on in their social world. Pets, in turn, are also very aware of emotions of their surroundings.

Rabies enters Colorado neighborhoods
Rabies cases in Colorado are increasing and moving from rural to urban areas. Rabies is a deadly disease and is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. It is most common amongst raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The number of cases has nearly doubled compared to last year. Rabies is a major concern to all species including humans, especially if it spreads to domestic animals. Keeping your pets up to date on rabies vaccinations provides the best protection against the deadly virus.

Foxtail can pose a serious threat to your dog.
Cheatgrass or foxtail weeds can pose a danger to your dog. As they dry out, the weeds become sharp, like arrowheads, and can penetrate deep into a dog’s skin. If they are stuck, they can form serious infections. Either way, they cause severe pain. Foxtail weeds have been known to penetrate into blood vessels and even into the spinal cord when a dog rolls in them. Most commonly, the weeds are stepped on and thus penetrate deep into the pads of the feet. It is a good idea to always check your dog for foreign bodies after every walk or adventure into potentially dangerous areas.

Pets need blood transfusions too
Like humans, certain medical conditions in our pets may require blood transfusions. A healthy pet can safely donate several times per year to a local blood bank. In some programs such as the one offered at LSU, a pet who donates enough blood can qualify to receive blood for free, if needed. If you are interested in having your pet donate blood, check with your veterinarian for a location near you.

Further research is necessary to find out why cats are dying
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Yogi Bear may have rabies?
Yellowstone County remains under a rabies quarantine. The quarantine means that dogs, cats, and other pets must be vaccinated against rabies at least two weeks before being moved outside the county. Yellowstone has been under eight quarantines in the past two and half years. Montana’s state veterinarian says that this is the time of year that pet owners need to be vigilant and take extra precautions.

Tips on getting Marmaduke off your favorite couch
Does your dog like to relax on your favorite couch when you are not home? Here are a few tips. Number one, make sure you train your dog when you are home. He needs to understand that this is not acceptable. Always be consistent. Number two, while you are training, don’t allow your pet access to your furniture if you are not there to stop the behavior immediately. Number three, if you have trouble, there are products that can be sprayed on your furniture that are safe to both your pet and your furniture. These sprays produce an odor that repels your pet. Other products will vibrate or produce a loud noise if your pet comes in contact with the furniture. Always check with your veterinarian before using any products around your pets.