More To Love In Less Time

It's time to talk about the elephant in the room, folks. Oh, oops, you mean that's your beagle??

Seriously, though, pet obesity has become a pandemic. Let's look at some statistics: 58% of cats in the U.S. are obese - approximately 54 million - and 45% of dogs are obese in the U.S. as well - about 35 million. A 14 year study by Purina has shown that pets with an ideal body condition score (BCS) live an average of 1.8 years longer than overweight pets. 

But Fluffy just looks so cute with a little extra chub, right? That may be so, but the health risks for overweight pets far outweighs that cuteness - no pun intended. Not only does being overweight contribute to diabetes, exacerbates arthritis pain, and is overall dangerous for your pet, but there is no reason - or excuse -  for a dog that's supposed to weigh 20lbs to weigh 75lbs. Not only is that unfair, but it's cruel. Overweight pets have more respiratory problems - they can't cool down as quickly as normal, the extra weight on their lungs causes them to breathe more heavily (ever heard an obese person next to you breathing loudly simply due to their weight and it's annoying? Yeah, your pet has to go through the same thing), some breeds are more prone to obesity as well and therefore have shorter lifespans if not fed properly- and often become so accustomed to having extra food and goodies that they perform food seeking behavior in order to sucker you into giving in and giving them that double cheeseburger from Burger Lard.

Before I get into that, though, I'd like to state that this is directed towards owners that WAY overfeed, and not towards those with pets that have genuine health problems that cause obesity - Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, pets on steroids/anti-seizure meds, etc. - as those pets are typically on medications to help reduce their weight. 

So, you may be thinking: "My pet is overweight, but how do I start them on a diet?" Here are some key notes for that:

1. First and foremost, ALWAYS consult your VETERINARIAN before starting your pet on a diet. Yes, that kid at the Pet Depot seems to know a lot about different foods, but remember: your veterinarian went through many years of very rigorous school to obtain their degree, and can even refer you to a veterinary nutrition specialist if need be. Veterinarians also are able to prescribe special foods designed to promote weight-loss. Can the kid at Pet Depot do that? No. Nothing can top advice from your veterinarian when it comes to your pet. 
2. Keep in mind that you may not see results immediately. Weight-loss for pets needs to be slow. 1lb in a dog is equal to 5lbs in humans, and you need to remember that your veterinarian has a percentage of their body weight they want FiFi to lose each week/month. 
3. If you go for a nutrition consult BRING THE DOG FOOD BAG. Saying, "Uh, it's that blue bag that's at Pet Depot on the top shelf next to the yellow bags," is not a good answer when asked what you're feeding your dog. The best we can do is guess, and each different food has different information on the nutrition label - which you should be reading when picking out dog food instead of getting what's cheapest/on sale/the store clerk says is "the best".
4. After consulting your veterinarian about how much Fido should be eating daily, measure out his/her food and feed twice daily - make sure to feed ONLY dog food, table scraps and such are NOT allowed when your pet is dieting. Free feeding may be convenient, and the same with feeding once daily, however feeding twice daily has been shown to not only help regulate body weight, but also helps keep your pets blood sugar more regulated throughout the day which helps in preventing diabetes. 
5. Measure out treats as well, and consult your vet as to what types of treats are appropriate. Crunch Bones may be Spike's favorite treat, but certain raw veggies are better for his health and can help with his weight-loss. Not to mention, he'll probably enjoy the "people food" you've given him. 
6. Set small goals for exercise; if Buster isn't used to long daily walks, start by walking down the road 1-2 houses every other day and slowly increase your distance. The same goes for play; start with short time allotments, and increase slowly to help build stamina. This will help yours too!
7. Do not regret missed walks. Life can get in the way sometimes, we all know this. Simply do your best to make exercise as regular as possible so as to help Buddy reach his goal weight.

Now, back to food seeking behaviors. How can you counteract these so Fido doesn't con you into ruining his diet? A few tips are as follows: 

• Confine the pet while preparing human food.
• Feed during human meals so as to prevent begging at the table (you can also take a portion of their allotted food for the day and give them as treats at the table, so their not missing any of their diet and not getting anything extra either).
• Ignore any and all begging - this only works if it is COMPLETELY ignored, that means no eye contact, touching, or even the classic, "SHUT UP!"
• Keep food in pet proof containers for those that counter surf.
• Use exercise and play to bond with your pal, not food - more exercise and play does not mean that you can give them more food, though, if you're aiming for weight-loss. 
• For cats, they CAN be trained! Using favorite toys, treat dispensing toys, and small rewards for ticks, cats can soon learn adorable behaviors that allow you to bond with KeeKee more than ever.

Side note: for some reason, it seems that pretty much ALL diabetic cats are vicious assholes more grumpy than your non-diabetic feline. This is just my own observation, not a proven fact. Now let's get out there and have healthy happy pets!!

Post Script: For those owners with obese pets that are interested in a weight-loss program for their pet, check out Purina Veterinary Diets: Project Pet Slim Down and see if your veterinary clinic is participating! ( I am not paid to advertise this, it's just a really good program - my own place of work is participating and we've seen some really great results so far!)