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Obesity is a growing problem in America…but not just for people. About one in three dogs is a downright plump pooch, and the number of fat cats is also high.
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University of Florida veterinarians say some pet owners might not realize a few extra pounds can take years off a beloved animal's life. Overweight dogs and cats are at heightened risk for diabetes and orthopaedic difficulties. Part of the problem, vets say, is some people don't adjust their pet's food bowl portions if they give extra snacks or table scraps throughout the day.
Additionally, many “reward” foods aren’t nutritionally balanced like dog or cat chows. So
U-Fexperts recommend that no more than ten percent of an animal’s daily diet consist of treats.
Dr. Richard Hill / UF veterinarian
“Many treats, such as people food or some of those cookies that you give them, may not be balanced, may contain a lot of carbohydrate, and may contain a lot of fat. And that doesn’t necessarily provide the essential nutrients, things like vitamins, protein, amino acids, things like that.”
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U-F vets also say adjusting diet in light of activity level is key. For example, dogs that get lots of playtime and roam free during the day will generally burn more calories than pooches that stay in a crate. Vets say owners should occasionally take stock of their pet’s weight at home. One easy way is to place your hands around Fido’s or Fluffy’s ribs. You should be able to feel the bones relatively easily. A layer of flab between the skin and ribs indicates an overweight pet. This test is especially important in animals whose thick fur may disguise their extra heft. Experts say people should discuss their canine’s or calico’s weight during each trip to the vet.
Dr. Richard Hill / UF veterinarian
“The big thing for the owner is that they should really go to their vet and get advice. We know that people looking at their pet sometimes are not as objective as they might be about what constitutes a dog that’s lean and a dog that’s slightly overweight, and the same thing applies to cats.”
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At the University of Florida Health Science Center, I’m Mike Garrison
