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Obesity is a growing issue in both people and pets. We love
to show how much we care about our animals by the amount of food and snacks we
give them! It is so hard to say no to those pleading eyes! However there are
many good reasons to keep your pet healthy and fit! Here are just a few of
them!
Extra weight can take a toll on many different body systems.
Probably one of the most severely affected would be the joints. They pay a
major penalty for extra weight, especially if you live with a giant dog breed.
All animals rely on their joints to stay healthy so they can enjoy their daily
life. A few extra pounds could mean the difference between getting up and down
stairs easily or enjoying a nice walk with their owner.
Overweight pets, similar to overweight people are also more
likely to become diabetic. This could mean regular insulin injections as well
as trip to the vet to get these symptoms under control. Once diabetic most
animals will have to be managed the rest of their life! Other body systems
affected would be the heart and lungs. This can make exercise even more
difficult which can make the road to weight loss that much more challenging.
Let’s be honest pet food is EXPENSIVE! There is just no
getting around it. One way to save a little is to feed the appropriate amount.
Sure you may have a chow hound that acts like they are starving. But after
living many years with a beagle that was NEVER satisfied no matter how much
food she got (or stole) I can assure you feeding the appropriate amount does
not mean you are starving your dog. It is also important to adjust the food for
the number of treats your pet is getting. If it is impossible to avoid treats
they need to be in appropriate amounts or have the regular food adjusted so
that the calories stay the same throughout the day.
So you realize or your vet has told you that your pet is
overweight, now what? Weight loss is a frustrating thing to accomplish. One key
is to remember that it is a process, that weight did not go on overnight so it
is very unlikely to come off overnight.
Sticking to a protocol that is devised with your veterinarian is a great
way to start. If after strict adherence to this there is no improvement it may
be worthwhile to visit the vet again and make sure there are no underlying
medical issues that are preventing the patient from losing weight. The key to a
successful weight loss program is to make sure EVERYONE in the family is on
board! No cheating! This will only lead to delays in the results everyone hopes
to achieve. A great website to visit for more information can be found here.
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