Loving Our Pets to Death

Obesity is one of the most common PREVENTABLE diseases in our Pets. We not only fail to prevent this disease, but we often cause it by “spoiling” our pets. A recent study by Purina confirmed that 6 out of 10 Pets are overweight and half of those have a body condition score (BCS) greater than 6. The ideal BCS is 4.5 for a dog and 5.0 for a cat. Of overweight pets, 12% have weight-related health conditions. These conditions include arthritis, diabetes, skin fold infections, anal sac impactions, heart disease, and breathing conditions – especially short-nosed breeds like bulldogs and pugs.

Obesity in pets does not have a social stigma attached to it and Pets will eat for the enjoyment if given free access to food. They do not have the conscious thought process or ability to know the health risks associated with obesity. We need to do that for them. A fat Pet is not “cute” or ok, it is a serious health risk associated with other conditions that significantly decrease a pet’s quality of life. The best way to prevent or treat obesity in your Pet is to feed appropriate portions of a high-quality pet food or a well-balanced and scientifically proven homemade diet.

MYTH: I can leave food out all the time, my Pet will only eat as much as they need.

FACT: The majority of pets will tend to overeat if given free choice feeding. You should measure your pet’s daily food. Your veterinarian can help you to determine the appropriate amount to feed in order to maintain your Pet’s healthy weight.

MYTH: Steak, cheese, and other foods are fine for me so they are fine to feed my pet.

FACT: Excessive amounts of protein and fat will not only lead to obesity in Pets, but can also make them prone to serious urinary tract problems. Cheese and meats have been associated with painful bladder and kidney stones in many breeds. If you have been feeding these foods, ask your veterinarian to perform a urinalysis to screen for urinary tract infection.

MYTH: Pet food packaging gives accurate portions on the label, so I’ll just follow that and my Pet will be a good weight.

FACT: Not necessarily. Some pet food manufacturers just want to sell as much product as possible and may exaggerate portions. The portions indicated on labels are based on your pet’s IDEAL weight, not current weight and are numbers of 8-ounce cups to be fed. Don’t make the mistake of using a coffee can as a “cup” for measurement. It is best to consult with your veterinarian regarding the appropriate brand and amount to feed your Pet.