Obesity epidemic spreads to our pets
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Dixie, a 13-year-old black lab, struggles with obesity and hip problems. Dixie's owner, Susan Neumann of Newville has had her since she was a puppy.
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Andy Bell stands with his tabby cat, Ziggy, at the Mt. Zion Small Animal Clinic.
JANESVILLE — Dixie has a weight problem.
Even though her owner, Susan Neumann, has tried to keep Dixie slim, the 12-year-old black Labrador retriever weighs 110 pounds. She should be closer to 75.
Dixie swims at an indoor dog facility and is on a strict diet: one cup of dry dog food and a few healthy treats a day.
But the dog’s limited mobility works against her.
“Her arthritis is never going away, and the cold weather just adds to it,’’ Neumann said.
Dixie is not alone.
More than half of U.S. dogs and cats—an estimated 93 million—are overweight, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
Janesville veterinarian Maria Keppel said she sees overweight pets several times a day at the Mt. Zion Small Animal Clinic, 3513 Mt. Zion Ave.
Pet obesity parallels the trend in humans, she said.
“As we have become more sedentary, dogs and cats have, too,” she said.
Part of the problem, Keppel said, is that people are no longer able to identify how a pet should look at a healthy weight.
“Our perception of normal is skewed by the pets we’re surrounded with,” she said.
Risks of obesity in pets, just as in humans, include arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, ligament injury, kidney disease, cancer and a shortened life span. Extra weight makes it more difficult for pets to exercise, resulting in more health problems, Keppel said.
“Being overweight puts excess weight on bones and joints that almost guarantees arthritis. So with a large-breed dog, it’s better to have them 2 pounds underweight than 1 pound overweight because in the long run you will have a healthier dog,” she said.
Advice for owners
Keppel offered the following advice for the owners of overweight pets:
-- Adjust feeding—Most pet owners follow the feeding guidelines printed on bagged food, Keppel said. Those are intended for young, active pets with high metabolism. Those feeding guidelines recommend too much food for house pets, Keppel said.
“So if you have questions, consult with your vet,” she said.
“Most people don’t measure food, fill up their pets’ bowls and when they are empty fill them back up,” she said.
To help pets lose weight, she recommends reducing serving portions by 10 percent per week.
-- Increase exercise—Most people don’t realize their pets aren’t getting enough exercise, Keppel said.
“When energy intake exceeds caloric output, obesity is the next logical step,’’ she said.
Visit a pet store and find toys for you and your pet to enjoy together.
“Anything that gets animals moving provides environmental enrichment,’’ she said.
-- Limit treats—Most dog owners aren’t aware rawhide treats contain an average of 1,000 calories—more calories than a dog needs all day, Keppel said.
“Treats are OK for training purposes, but pets will be just as happy with a small treat as a reward as with a higher-calorie treat,’’ she said
Keppel recommends fresh green beans, carrots, apple slices and sweet potatoes as healthier, low-calorie treat alternatives.
-- Change your attitude—Too many people equate food with love, she said.
“Instead of giving treats, take the leash and go for a walk around the block. Your dog will be just as excited plus it builds a good routine for both you and your dog for exercising,” she said.
“A pet with restricted caloric intake will live 2.5 years longer than an obese or overweight pet,” Keppel said.
-- Stay on top of it—It’s important to decrease a pet’s calorie intake after the pet reaches puberty and after sterilization, Keppel said. Many make the mistake of feeding puppy food for too long.
When pets reach 6 or 7 years old, they should be switched from adult to senior food.
“Work with your vet on weight loss to make sure it is a gradual, slow process,” she said, “because you want the weight loss to last.”
Jun 9, 2011 at 12:58 a.m.
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I have a friend whose black lab is so overweight it can hardly walk ! It is so said to see such a young animal in that kind of shape. Too many treats and lack of exercise.
Jun 6, 2011 at 10:27 a.m.
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"vets are hesitant to tell obese humans just how obese their pets are"
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LOLOLOL..!!!!
Jun 6, 2011 at 9:56 a.m.
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Part of the problem is the dog, part is the owners.
Some dogs only eat until they are satisfied. Huskies and malamutes (because I know the breeds) generally only eat what they need. Very few are overweight. They eat more when exercized more.
People that feed table scraps, are feeding their dogs a diet that they are not intended to digest. Table scraps are a part of the cause.
Some dogs will eat whats in the bowl, if they bowl is full , they eat it all regardless of what their bodies need, so the owner needs to regulate the amount.
Jun 6, 2011 at 9:49 a.m.
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My great dane was an eating machine. When I moved to the city he gained a lot of weight. Well over 200 lbs. I got him diet food and he slimmed right up.
Jun 6, 2011 at 8:23 a.m.
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It's about time an article like this is printed. It is sickening how fat our people and pets have become. It's a rather rare occurance to be walking down the street and actually see dogs of a healthy weight. Sad.
Jun 5, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
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healthreform is a spammer. Suggest removal. Before even reading the comments I knew someone would blame the problem on the obese pet owner. What a crock! I have seen "twiggy" walking a 100 pound collie, explain that one!
Jun 5, 2011 at 10:48 a.m.
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There's little reason for a pet to be fat, aside from irresponsible ownership. They (most!) can't open the fridge, they can't access properly stored food or treat bags, and they can't operate a phone or use your credit card to pay for a pizza delivery.
If your pet is fat, odds are that YOU are the problem (and you and your kids are likely overweight as well). You can do it to yourself if you like, but stop doing this to the animals (and children) you are entrusted to care for! Train 'em, walk 'em, interact with 'em (pets and kids as well), but stop throwing them food for no reason other than they have trained you to do so. Food is NOT love!
Dogs are, at best, only about as smart as a dull two year-old human. If they've trained you to feed them on command (i.e. a look, begging, whining, etc.), then what does that say about your level of intelligence? It's a rhetorical question, of course!
Jun 4, 2011 at 9:49 p.m.
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Never follow the directions on the dog/cat food bag unless it is to determine how much is too much to feed. Pet food companies are in the business of selling *more* pet food.
Vets are hesitant to tell obese humans just how obese their pets are.
Jun 4, 2011 at 9:16 p.m.
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What these owners may want to research are the ingredients in their animal's food. I'll bet dollars to donuts that the main ingredient is corn. Just like what cows, pigs, and chickens are fed now to fatten them up.
Jun 4, 2011 at 9:03 p.m.
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Sorry for the double posting, I have no idea why it posted twice, anyhow just read it once. Lol
Jun 4, 2011 at 9:02 p.m.
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healthreform, You may want to read the following online review of the "Spirit Happy Diet" I went ahead and googled it and this is interestingly enough what I found. http://dietchoices.com/diet-plans/spirit...
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If anyone else is interested in checking our healthcarereforms miracle diet, you may just want to read this first.
Besides the fact that this story is about pets and I highly doubt that this diet would be healthy for any pet let alone the fact that it doesn't sound to good for humans, you would be much better off just googleing Low Carb Diets, thats what works for 90% of people interested in losing weight. :)
Jun 4, 2011 at 9:02 p.m.
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healthreform, You may want to read the following online review of the "Spirit Happy Diet" I went ahead and googled it and this is interestingly enough what I found. http://dietchoices.com/diet-plans/spirit...
**
If anyone else is interested in checking our healthcarereforms miracle diet, you may just want to read this first.
Besides the fact that this story is about pets and I highly doubt that this diet would be healthy for any pet let alone the fact that it doesn't sound to good for humans, you would be much better off just googleing Low Carb Diets, thats what works for 90% of people interested in losing weight. :)
Jun 4, 2011 at 4:49 p.m.
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Informative article.
Thank's for sharing.
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