News Taffy

Just as humans have steadily put on excess weight over the last couple of decades, unfortunately so have our pets. The results are the same for animals as they are for us: diabetes, arthritis, difficulty breathing, heart disease and a shortened life span. And who is to blame for our beloved pets’ suffering? We are!

Nature intended for cats and dogs to hunt for their food, but now we plop down a large bowl of kibble and hand out treats freely. Since we avoid exercise ourselves, we don’t help our pets to get any either. Fido and Miss Kitty sleep all day while we are at work and only have to walk to go potty or to their bowl for another large helping. When our pets do race around the house or beg for attention, we often offer food to occupy them instead of an activity.

Nature also intended for cats’ and dogs’ diet to consist largely of meat protein but most of us feed our pets a diet of dry food that has too much carbohydrates. Dry kibble is much easier to feed and can sit out for days without spoiling or losing it’s taste or nutrition. Owners may feel that canned food is more expensive plus has an offensive odor. There is an ongoing debate as to which is better for cats, wet or dry food, but studies are not conclusive. What matters more is the protein content. If this sounds too familiar and you are concerned about your pet’s health, there are several things you can do.

First, honestly assess your pet. Even under a long haired coat, your cat or dog should have a long, lean shape viewed from above, with a slightly nipped in waist. Your pet’s sides should not bulge out unless you have a pregnant female. When you run your hands down the animal’s sides, you should be able to feel it’s ribs without prodding too hard. Your pet’s stomach should not swing from side to side when it moves. Is your animal lethargic or does it have trouble moving around, considering it’s age? With either cats or dogs, the main reason they are overweight is because we feed them too much. It can be harmful to a cat to drastically cut back it’s food and though dogs can handle going without better, it may not have the desired result.

If your pet is overweight, do not place it on a diet without consulting a veterinarian. Have a checkup to make sure your pet does not suffer from hyperthyroidism which can result in weight gain, or some other health problem. Your vet can also advise you on what kinds of food to buy and how much to give your pet.

Next week, I will have more information on feeding your pets and suggestions on how to help them lose weight safely.