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Monday, Wednesday,
Friday: 8am-5pm
Tuesday & Thursday:
10 am -7pm.
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616-878-7387
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We are a small animal facility providing compassionate
and comprehensive veterinary care for pets.
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 January 2012
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Obesity
Most people would agree the most common New Year’s resolution made year after year is to get fit or lose weight. Chances are your pet is overweight and could benefit from this resolution also. According to the 2011 study done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53% of cats and 55% of dogs are overweight or obese. That’s roughly 50 million cats and 43 million dogs nationwide. This has been steadily increasing since the first survey was done in 2007 when only 19% of cats were considered obese and just over 10% of dogs.
Did you know a 12lb Yorkie is the same as an average height female at a weight of 218lbs or that a 15lb cat is the same as a 5’9” male weighing 254lbs? While these are only for comparative purposes and only your vet can give you an ideal body weight for your pet the numbers are still shocking. Although this doesn’t compare to a medical evaluation you can visit www.petobesityprevention.com to see more pet-to-human weight equivalent charts.
Even though 2-5lbs overweight may not seem like a lot it puts your pet at a much greater risk to develop some serious medical conditions. Some of these are; type 2 diabetes, respiratory and heart disease. Other diseases include osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and many forms of cancer. Specific breeds of dogs can be more prone to being overweight due to genetic predisposition. Breeds like Dachshunds, English Bulldogs, Beagles, and Pugs are just a few examples.
There are some things you can do to asses your dogs weight. First you can run your hands along your pet’s side. You should be able to feel your pets ribs covered with a thin layer of fat. If you can not feel ribs your pet may be overweight. Secondly, when looking at your pet from the side you should see an upward tuck of the abdomen. When viewing your pet from the top there should be a slight narrowing at the waist just past the ribcage. If it looks straight or bulges out your pet may be overweight.
It seems like the hardest part for humans trying to lose weight is having the will power. Fortunately for our pets we are the ones in control of their food, so they don’t have a choice to give in to the junk food in the cupboard. When you are trying to help your pet lose weight remember FOOD IS NOT LOVE. Although it may seem tough to resist those begging eyes at the dinner table in the long run you are potentially helping extend the life of your pet.
Use a measuring cup, eliminate all people food and set-up established meal times are just a few suggestions. Additionally, the suggested amount of food to give on each bag is exactly that, a suggested amount. If your pet is battling with obesity the veterinarian can advise you on how much food you should be feeding. Dr. Sainsbury can also prescribe a diet food, like the Purina OM diet that we carry here, to additionally help your pet lose the pounds. To read more about the Purina OM diet or to get involved with Project Pet Slim Down visit www.projectpetslimdown.com
Another main component of weight loss is exercise. Dogs may seem a little easier to exercise than cats because we take them outside for a run. A good game of fetch or tug of war is also a great way to help your dog lose the weight. For cats, moving the food bowl on to a different level of the house is a good way to get them to go up or down stairs to motivate them to be more active. Also using a flashlight or laser light on the floor is way to get your cat moving also stimulating their mind.
Given your pets age, weight and normal activity level we can help you establish a specific weight loss plan for your pet. To make an appointment you can give us a call at 616-878-PETS (7387) or send us an email at staff@byroncentervet.com. We would be happy to help you get 2012 started off on the right paw.
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