Pet Obesity

Uh, oh, there is the word no one wants to hear - FAT.  Veterinarians make their living off fat pets, or at least their retirement.  From bunnies to horses, we are a nation of overfeeders. Extra fat affects the digestive, urinary, reproductive systems.  It affects endocrine systems (primarily hormones), and also the skeleton and muscles, skin and cardiovascular systems. Did I mention the organs - liver, kidney, pancreas, among others (OK, all of them).

Over feeding is the primary cause of overweight pets.  It is not the only cause, but is the number one, preventable, most common nutritional disease in dogs and cats. In this post I don't want to discuss leptin or thyroids or diabetes I, breeds, and so on.  We will just discuss the primary factor that you are in control of: food and exercise.

What is true for people is true for other animals (yup, we're animals too).  Too many calories and not enough activity to use them causes storage of them, usually as fat.  Almost all diets of people and pets are to high in startch (you thought I was going to say fat).  Starch is sugar, plain and simple. A potato becomes no different than table sugar molecules in the body, as does rice, breads, grains, and fruit.  Wild cats don't eat corn or soy; frankly, wild dogs don't either. We will talk more about this later.

Protein is the key to good health. Fat is also important to the health of dogs and cats - not so much rabbits and horses! Restricting our conversation to dogs and cats, it's important that they receive adequate animal protein (not vegetable or garin).  The requirement for dogs is around 25-30%, for cats 30-35%.  Calories should be made up mostly of protein, then fat, with startch as the last source. 

Find a high quality food, and feed less of it.  Instead of giving your pets treats or feeding them when they ask for attention, play instead.  Not only does this keep food as being a way to interact with you, it will burn calories at the same time and reduce the appetite. Keep a laser toy or balls near the feed stations.  When pets beg, pick up the toy and have at it.  Giving your pets extra calories is not doing them any favor.

Nurtition is a huge subject with volumes of literature available. More will be coming, but for now, keep your pets lean and active.  It is good for both of you.  If you have trouble making this a regular routine, or would like more information on your pets' dietary  needs, please feel free to contact me at All Pets Concierge Service, a limited liability company in Las Vegas, Nevada.  As a licensed veterinary technician (Animal RN), and certified by Hills Science Diet as a small animal nutritionist, I am sure we can find some solutions for feeding and exercising your pets to optimize their health and longevity.