Are you concerned your pet is getting a bit large?

Is Rover carrying around more weight than he should be? He’s not alone. Obesity among companion animals has reached an all time high. Recent research indicates that as many as 25 percent of cats and dogs in the Western world are overweight. We’re bombarded by advertisements claiming that if you take a little red pill or try the latest diet, you can lose four to seven pounds in five days. A growing number of similar products are being offered to guardians of pudgy puppies and chubby cats, but like their human equivalents, they aren’t the solution. Battling obesity involves a multi-faceted approach that includes understanding its causes and complications, and working closely with a vet to tailor a weight loss program. Here are four steps that will help your companion move successfully from fat to fit.

1. Find out if he’s fat
Animals that weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 percent above their ideal body weight for their size and breed are considered obese. Luckily, it’s easy to tell if your animal is overweight or obese. If a cat looks fat, she is. You should not see fat deposits on her back, face, or limbs, and her abdomen should not be rounded. A healthy dog will have a waist when viewed from above, and a tucked stomach when viewed from the side. His ribs should be easily felt through a thin layer of flesh. If one of these signposts is missing, your dog may be overweight; if more than one is missing, and you see fatty deposits over your dog’s chest, spine, and the base of his tail, he is obese.

2. Be aware of the risks
Obesity causes many of the same problems in animals as it does in us. Obesity is the most common form of malnutrition affecting dogs in Western countries. Overweight dogs often have extra fat deposits on their chest walls or inside their chest cavities, which places an additional burden on their cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Another common medical problem caused or aggravated by obesity is arthritis. Your animal can also experience orthopedic problems, from herniated discs to ruptured stifle ligaments. Obesity can also contribute to heat intolerance, skin problems, and even surgical complications, leading to longer recovery time.

Overweight cats are at risk of developing diabetes mellitus, lower urinary tract disease, and hepatic lipidosis, a severe form of liver failure typically occurring in obese cats that have undergone a brief period of stress, which could be as simple as a change in diet. In order to avoid this potentially fatal disease, treatment of feline obesity needs to be approached with caution, and always under the care of a veterinarian.

Over weight pets, like as with their human counterparts, can be a serious health issue, which can lead to many health problems and possibly early death.  The problem with being over weight is generally caused by over eating and inactivity but can also be genetic.  Pets (primarily cats and dogs) are naturally active and enjoy the out doors.  More and more these pets are kept indoors as inside pets and rarely see the outside world.  People living in apartments in large cities are faced with civic by laws which restrict free movements of pets outside have no other choice but to keep their pets inside.

What are our solutions?  How do we help our pets from gaining weight or getting back to where they should be?  Diet?  Exercise? Move to the country?

Knowing how to keep your pets body in good condition from the start is most important. If you don't, your pet risks having health problems involving their cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems. About 1 in 4 dogs are overweight and caused by their owner!

If your pet is about 20% or more over ideal body weight, consider them obese and unhealthy. They are consuming more calories than they can burn off. Obesity can be caused by the wrong diet, genetic predispositions or hormonal problem. Preventing excessive weight gain is the best approach to weight control in pets. It is much more difficult to achieve weight loss once the animal has gained the extra pounds.

3. Diet

You, the loving caretaker must abstain from allowing your pet to consume fatty, fried, or sweet snacks. Eventually your pet will develop serious cravings. Poor quality food and incorrect feeding limits the pet’s ability to maintain a healthy body. To substantiate a healthy lifestyle, your pet needs sufficient proteins, vitamins, minerals, live enzymes and amino acids. Incorrect feeding will generate an irregular or slow metabolism; this may create an uncontrollable and excessive hunger.

First, check your pets diet. Are you feeding her unhealthy food? Have you ever read the ingredients? Are you feeding lots of treats or table scraps?  While your pooch may love you for it, this is not the way to show them your love. You need to stop feeding so many calories to your loved one. Consider switching to a low-calorie "healthy" pet food. These products are typically lower in fat and higher in fiber. This allows the owner to continue to serve a nice-sized portion while reducing the number of calories the pet actually receives.

Countless ailments are a definite result of improper foods. Wrong food combinations and harsh toxins such as Cancer-forming agents, are generally added to pet foods. Many pet foods are incredibly harmful to your pet’s overall health. There aren’t any regulations on pet food. Your pet, like yourself, is healthier when consuming foods free from chemicals, preservatives, artificial colorings, additives and flavorings,

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole,) a preservative chemical has been proven to cause cancer and behavioral alterations in rat studies. To be safe, purchase pet foods that utilize a natural alternative like rosemary (an herb), Vitamin C or Vitamin E. The primary reason for adding BHA to the food is to extend the shelf life, especially foods with oil containing ingredients.

There are a number of additional unhealthy additives that have been deliberately added to pet food. One such example is Sodium Nitrite. This is predominantly used as a preservative and coloring agent. Sodium Nitrite in food can produce carcinogenic substances known as nitrosamines. Why add an unhealthy ingredient simply for eye-appeal?

4. Exercise

Another problem could be exercise. Does you dog lie around all day? Do "you" lie around all day?   Play with your cat or dog. Go outside and get him running, or playing ball. Get his body moving! If she has been a couch potato for a long time, you need to go at a slow pace and gradually increase the amount of exercise. Take him for a walk.

Certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to obesity than others including beagles, basset hounds, dachshunds and Labrador retrievers. While some breeds of dog may gain more easily, it does not mean an animal must become overweight. Maintaining a healthy body weight requires more careful attention to the amount of food and exercise the pet receives.

Diseases, which impact hormone balances in pets, may contribute to the development of obesity. These include thyroid or pituitary gland dysfunction. Have a visit to your veterinarian to help determine if these could be factors.

Castration and spaying also alter the hormonal balance of pets, sometimes causing reduced activity and changes in metabolism. These factors can contribute to obesity and increase the need for carefully controlling food intake and increasing exercise in neutered pets.  Many pet owners, who live in cities and opt for their pet to be an “inside” usually, choose this option especially with females due to the restlessness they feel when they come in heat.

If you love your pet, do your homework and find the best food for them. That could be the sole problem! You'd be surprised at what is in some of these well-known name brands! Read the labels yourself and question what each one is! Remember, stay away from by-products and fillers! Your pet will love you longer for it!

Overweight and poor nutritional dietary habits will and can induce serious health problems and shorten the life span of your loving pet. Enhancing quality health and years to your pet is as important as the love and attention you share. Care enough to feed your pet the best possible healthy foods.

About Cats

The truth is life may be more exhilarating for cats allowed outdoors. Cats should be indoors. The problem is indoor life can be downright boring. Many indoor cats are clinically depressed. These couch-potato cats robotically move from the sofa to the food dish to the litter box. And they may have given up once-tidy habits, such as self-grooming.

Estimates from scientific studies indicate anywhere from about one-quarter to half of all indoor cats is overweight. That makes them vulnerable to various diseases such as diabetes. However there is also concern about these chubby felines' mental fitness. Although intelligence is difficult to define, experts agree cats and dogs are about in the same league. We'd call it abuse to allow millions of dogs to vegetate; yet as a society we're content when our cats do just that. People think cats are naturally anti-social, and that is just not true. It's not that we don't love our cats; it's that our expectations of cats are based on mistaken notions.

People don't think about training cats because cats don't have to interact in the real world as dogs do. However I guarantee cats are just as trainable as dogs. You just do it differently. Teaching your cat tricks can make a huge difference. The bond you have with your cat will be forever changed. Your cat will learn how to learn, and you'll learn that cats can learn - despite everything you've ever thought about cats. To get your cat off the couch and into the real world, you might consider getting your cat a pet.

Some but not all cats enjoy the companionship of another cat, or a dog. I must warn you that adding another pet to a household with another older established cat could cause urine marking in the house even if that cat is spayed or neutered. It is probably best to get two kittens at the same time for companionship and to avoid behavioral problems. If adding another pet, be sure to gradually and carefully introduce it into the household.

Play with your cat. Use an interactive toy and pretend it's a real meal - like a bug, a bird (a fishing pole toy with feathers) or a snake. All cats live to be hunters.

Not all cats like the same games or the same toys.  Cats get bored fast so rotate the toys. Let your cat hunt for her food. You can teach your cat to bat a toy around Eventually hide the balls around the house so your cat can put her prey drive to practical use at mealtime. Provide a ledge with a view. Watching an outdoor bird feeder is like live theater for cats. Allow your cat outdoors in protected safety. Build your own "cat run" out of plywood and mesh, or purchase a do-it-yourself kit at a pet supply store.

You won't find 'terminal boredom" listed as a condition in medical textbooks, but it should be there. Boredom fosters ill health. Visual and mental stimulation turns out to be just as healthful for cats as for dogs. Luckily, homes can easily be transformed into kitty playgrounds, and that makes life much more satisfying.

About Aged Pets

You may notice your dog or cat slowing down as he or she gets a little on in years. Grey hairs can start poking out on the muzzle of a dog as young as five years old, depending on the breed. (Cats generally age a bit more slowly.) As these changes happen, your companion animal is going to need a little special care.

Extremes in temperature are going to be harder for your older companion animal to tolerate. The time he spends outside will have to be limited, both in cold and hot weather. Sweaters will help protect him on his winter walks. In the heat of the summer, schedule his exercise in the coolest parts of the day, and avoid the hot pavement.

Watch your older companion animal’s weight. He may be exercising less, so monitor the amount and type of food you are feeding to make sure it takes this into account and he doesn’t become overweight. Just as it is with humans, extra weight is not healthy for your pooch or kitty. On the other hand, since his sense of smell may not be as acute, it may be a little bit of a challenge to keep some companion animals interested in their food. (This is especially true of cats.) Just keep experimenting with different types of high quality food until you find what seems to work the best for your companion animal.

Your older companion animal will need to keep active to stay healthy. Regular gentle exercise will keep the blood circulating, keep muscles toned and make sure his internal organs keep functioning smoothly.

Soft bedding with orthopedic, heated or cool pads and a washable cover will help ease those old bones, and make cleanup easier in the event of "accidents."

Tumors, bumps, lesions, bad breath or other doggy or kitty odors need to be brought to your vet’s attention, since they can be an indication of serious problems. Teeth should be kept clean and tarter free, since oral infections can cause many other health problems.

Diminishing vision, hearing, smell will bring about changes in your companion animal’s personality. Changes in temperament should be mentioned to your vet, as they are often indicators of aches and pains that your old companion may otherwise be quite stoic about.

Veterinary care has made great advances in geriatric medicine, and with your vet’s help, you should be able to extend your companion animal’s life beyond what it would have been even a few years ago. Your relationship with your companion animal throughout these "golden years" can be very rich and rewarding. Stay involved with him just like you did when he was a pup, and both of your lives will be enriched.