Putting the Brakes on Canine Obesity
With the cooler weather approaching, it’s natural to want to “hibernate.” As humans, we know the health ramifications of this in terms of the tendency to gain more weight during this time of the year due to staying indoors more, succumbing to comfort food, and attending holiday food-and-drink festivities.
What about Fido who is really at a loss since you, the owner, are the one literally dishing out what he gets to eat? You and your dog have much in common; you play, eat and unwind together. If you’re not careful about how much you consume and relax, you both might pack on unwanted weight together -- excess fat that can be tough to shed.
A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog
We all know how difficult it is to turn down those big, sad, begging dog eyes when they want a food item or treat they should not have. Think of yourself as the gatekeeper of all things dog-food related. One of mine honestly stops and salivates when the Beggin’ Strips TV commercial is on and that is not something I taught her to do to be cute; she simply pays attention to TV at times and literally chose that commercial to pay attention to all on her own. I was shocked when I noticed this recently.
Canine obesity is an important and common medical condition with serious health implications. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated there are 41.2 million pet dogs in the United States. Other sources add that 40 percent -- approximately 17 million -- are overweight or obese. A recent Pfizer Animal Health study found veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think so. Why? It’s most likely denial or the difficulty owners have in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.
Be aware of these six causes of canine obesity and be prepared to counteract the situation in your household:
· Feeding habits
· Lack of exercise
· Neutering
· Slow metabolism
· Breed
· Hormonal disorders
Be diligent about scheduling your dogs’ regular veterinarian check-ups and paying attention to guidance on how to put your fur baby on a diet. This potentially can save a good deal of money and heartbreak in the future; extended lifespans are, of course, reason enough to take care of the weight issue now. Overweight canines run a greater risk of developing an array of health problems:
- Reduced lifespan
- Labored or difficult breathing
- Fatigue
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiac disease
- Respiratory conditions
- Heat or exercise intolerance; greater risk for heatstroke
- Dermatological problems affecting skin, hair and coat
- Compromised immune function
- Increased surgical and anesthetic risks
- Cruciate/intervertebral disk rupture
- Diabetes
- Joint problems, including arthritis
- Pancreas problems
- Knee problems (ruptured ligaments)
Dog Dieting 101
Veterinarians are trained to recommend an appropriate diet and exercise program for safe weight loss. You’ll find most strategies stay consistent across the board and are not unlike dieting do’s and don’ts for humans.
First, keep in mind when helping your dog lose weight that slower is safer. “Crash” diets or intense workouts aren’t appropriate for inactive dogs. If your dog gained the weight slowly, he/she can lose it slowly. Naturally the most effective weight-loss plans involve increased activity in tandem with fewer calories. The more convenient you make the process, the higher the odds of sticking with it. What you are striving for during your dog’s new regimen is a loss of 2% or less of his/her initial body weight weekly. For example, a 100-pound dog should lose no more than 2 pounds every week. A successful weight-loss program may take a year or longer.
Be supportive and patient! Your four-legged family members will thank you as they certainly can’t accomplish this alone! Bone appetit the healthy way!
For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.
Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
