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Many of us know how hard it is to lose weight.
Dieting is easy to understand but it is so hard to stick to the rules.
Overweight or obese dogs and cats don't worry about having the will power.
Studies by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reveal that more than half the nation's million dogs cost their owners millions of dollars annually.
The toll on the pets is poor health and loss of years of life expectancy. Pet obesity causes the animal to be afflicted with weight-related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and joint problems.
Arthritic changes in the joints are crippling and cause severe pain to the animal. Much of the cost for treatment could have been avoided with weight control and exercise. Pet owners often don't realize or believe their pet is too heavy. A barrier to weight loss is the owner's denial of the problem.
Translating a portly pet's weight to that of a pudgy person's gets their attention. Example: a small breed dog whose ideal weight is 22 pounds but has been allowed to gain until they weigh 48 pounds. This is analogous to a 5'4" female weighing 317 pounds.
An overweight 12-pound Yorkie equates to an average woman weighing 218 pounds. A 14-pound cat is the same as a 237-pound man.
To tell if your pet is a healthy weight a careful look and feel can guide you.
The findings should be that the ribs are easily felt, the stomach is not sagging, you cannot grab a roll of fat and the animal has a trim body.
When viewed from above, they should have an obvious waist and the back should not be too broad and flat.
Helping a pet lose weight involves a routine and discipline similar to that of a person trying to lose weight. Diet and exercise are the two essentials.
The single most valuable tool to a pet owner in the fight against obesity is a measuring cup. Measure your pet’s food using the amount your vet recommends. We all know that it is necessary to drastically cut out other sources of calorie intake. No table scraps and very few treats. Dogs and cats don't keep track of the size of a treat...just a tiny bite is sufficient. Try using pieces of their kibble food. It is formulated to provide a healthy diet. Everyone in the family has to be following the same regimen.
Many of us know how hard it is to lose weight.
Dieting is easy to understand but it is so hard to stick to the rules.
Overweight or obese dogs and cats don't worry about having the will power.
Studies by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reveal that more than half the nation's million dogs cost their owners millions of dollars annually.
The toll on the pets is poor health and loss of years of life expectancy. Pet obesity causes the animal to be afflicted with weight-related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and joint problems.
Arthritic changes in the joints are crippling and cause severe pain to the animal. Much of the cost for treatment could have been avoided with weight control and exercise. Pet owners often don't realize or believe their pet is too heavy. A barrier to weight loss is the owner's denial of the problem.
Translating a portly pet's weight to that of a pudgy person's gets their attention. Example: a small breed dog whose ideal weight is 22 pounds but has been allowed to gain until they weigh 48 pounds. This is analogous to a 5'4" female weighing 317 pounds.
An overweight 12-pound Yorkie equates to an average woman weighing 218 pounds. A 14-pound cat is the same as a 237-pound man.
To tell if your pet is a healthy weight a careful look and feel can guide you.
The findings should be that the ribs are easily felt, the stomach is not sagging, you cannot grab a roll of fat and the animal has a trim body.
When viewed from above, they should have an obvious waist and the back should not be too broad and flat.
Helping a pet lose weight involves a routine and discipline similar to that of a person trying to lose weight. Diet and exercise are the two essentials.
The single most valuable tool to a pet owner in the fight against obesity is a measuring cup. Measure your pet’s food using the amount your vet recommends. We all know that it is necessary to drastically cut out other sources of calorie intake. No table scraps and very few treats. Dogs and cats don't keep track of the size of a treat...just a tiny bite is sufficient. Try using pieces of their kibble food. It is formulated to provide a healthy diet. Everyone in the family has to be following the same regimen.
The enjoyment a pet gets out of a daily walk with their person is just one of the benefits of this activity. The owner gets exercise too.
An anonymous saying goes "if your dog is fat, you are not getting enough exercise. Try not to let yourself get seduced by the pitiful noises your pet makes or the sad look in their eyes and give in on either the diet restrictions or the exercise. They will never thank you for it, but you will know you have done the right thing in keeping them healthy and long-lived.
You will also be saving a few dollars too.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
