Obesity in pets mirrors that of humans, as do the reasons — decreased physical activity, age and an increased caloric intake, even genetic predisposition. Like humans, there are also many health problems associated with being obese, such as diabetes mellitus.
It’s no secret that obesity is a problem in humans. Reality television makes millions of dollars chronicling the efforts of Americans attempting to shed excess weight. And every day, new medical research highlights the serious implications obesity has for heart disease, diabetes and other maladies.
Now, more and more attention is being paid to the problem in our pets. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the prevalence of obesity in dogs is between 22 and 40 percent. The reasons and the remedies for the problem seem to mirror each other across species.
These include decreased physical activity, age and an increased caloric intake, according to Dr. Craig Thatcher of Blacksburg, Va. Dr. Thatcher is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, a noted veterinary nutritionist, and a charter diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.
Genetics can also increase a pet’s risk of being overweight, Thatcher said. Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels are all breeds that are more like to carry some extra pounds. There are also endocrine diseases that are associated with obesity that must also be considered and ruled out before the pet undergoes weight reduction.
Like humans, there are also many health problems associated with being obese. Dogs and cats that are overweight may be predisposed to develop diabetes mellitus. They may also suffer from decreased heat tolerance and stamina, increased dermatological conditions, decreased immune function, and multiple musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems. If you suspects your pet is overweight, the first step is to contact your veterinarian.
“Veterinarians are the best resource to assist clients in designing a safe and effective weight reduction program,” said Thatcher.
Veterinarians will work with you to design a weight-reduction program that is specific to your pet’s needs. A balanced, restricted-calorie diet should be implemented. You should carefully monitor intake and not allow for free-choice consumption by your dog. An exercise regiment should also be initiated. This should be a plan you are willing to comply with and your dog can comfortably perform, Thatcher advises.
As your dog progresses through a weight loss program, you must monitor its progress by weighing and by assessing its body condition. This should initially be done every two weeks to ensure the dog is successfully losing weight.
“Avoiding obesity is an important part of the overall wellness of an animal,” said Thatcher. “Pets and their owners alike will enjoy a much higher quality of life when the pet maintains a healthy weight.”
SOURCE: Newswise
Category : News
Dr Greg
Jan 15, 2010
we feed carnivores hi carb cookies, then expect them to lose weight on low fat hi carb diets…it is just like the human fad mistake diets