Dog Training, Dog Supplies, and Dog Care

Chicago Sun Times

September 17, 2009

By:  Celeste Busk Staff Reporter

If your pooch is packing on the pounds or the cat waddles when she struts, it may be time for a diet.

Pet obesity has emerged as a leading cause of preventable disease and death in dogs and cats, animal experts warn.

RELATED STORIES:  Tips to help your pet lose weight  "Our pets are in real danger of not living as long as previous generations and developing serious and costly diseases such as diabetes and other largely avoidable conditions," said Dr. Ernie Ward, presidentof the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention based in Calabash, N.C.

According to a 2008 study by the association, 7.2 million dogs are estimated to be obese and 26 million overweight. The number in cats is higher, with 15.7 million estimated to be obese and 35 million overweight.

"These numbers represent a huge problem. Just as we've become a nation of couch potatoes, our pets have become a nation of lap potatoes-- and that's not good for anyone," said Ward on his Web site, www.petobesityprevention.com.

Smaller breeds of dogs had more trouble with their weight than larger breeds, the study showed. Breeds such as Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Yorkshire terriers were more likely to be classified as overweight than Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers or German shepherds.

"Smaller, indoor-only dogs tend to have more trouble maintaining a healthy weight because they don't get adequate exercise. Unfortunately, these are also the dogs we're seeing a high number of weight-related disorders in," Ward said.

Pet experts say excess weight causes or contributes to many painfuland debilitating conditions such as: osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension (high blood pressure), heartdisease and many forms of cancer.

To determine if your dog or cat is overweight, check the rib cage, Ward said. If your pet is overweight ribs will be difficult to feelunder the fat. If the stomach sags and you can grab a handful of fat, the pet is overweight. Other obesity indicators are a broad and flatback or if the waist is barely visible or absent.

If your pet is obese, go to the vet. You should never put your older cat on a diet without the assistance of your vet, according to www.petobesityprevention.com. There may be a medical condition causing a pet's excess weight. Some common diseases associated with weight gain in dogs include hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease).

"Too many dogs start on a diet and fail to lose weight simply because the diet wasn't the problem -- a disease was," Ward said.

Celebrity pet expert Andrea Arden, who was in Chicago recently, saysthat an overweight pet is an unhealthy pet. Arden, who has written numerous pet training books, currently appears on three Animal Planet's shows, "Underdog to Wonder Dog," "Dogs 101" and "Cats 101."

"It's definitely a problem and a large percentage of the pet-owning population has pets who are overweight due in great part to the fact that people often kill with kindness by indulging pets with food and treats," Arden said.

One of the first steps is choosing the correct food. Read the labeland look for protein without any animal byproducts, Arden recommends.  Avoid wheat gluten and soy artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.

"Carefully research what's in the bag or can. You, and your pet, are what you eat," Arden said.

According to www.petobesitypre vention.com, to maintain anideal weight, a typical indoor 10-pound cat should get 180 to 200calories a day. For indoor dogs, the daily calories are: 200 to 275 for 10-pound dogs; 325 to 400 for 20-pound dogs and 700 to 900 for 50-pounddogs.

"Make sure you don't overfeed your dog, don't feed them from the table and curtail the treats," Arden said. "Almost in all obesity cases, a dog doesn't have adequate fitness. They're home with not much to do. They need regular exercise. Don't just take the dog out for a walk, let them run," Arden said, noting that pet owners need to gradually introduce pets to exercise.

For those looking for a passive way to exercise the dog while hanging out on the couch, Arden suggested having the canine go through a regime of tricks -- roll over, take a bow, sit on hind legs.

"This way the pet gets physically and mentally stimulated," Arden said.

Another exercise trick is to take the food you normally fit in a bowl and put the food in three to five food stuffable toys, Arden said. "This gives your dog the ability to hunt for food instead of stuffingout from one big bowl."

I felt that the above article was very important to reprint for my readers, since many pets fall into this category. Please take care to feed your pet correctly, we all want them to live a healthy, long life.

Doggie Hugs and Kisses;

DivaB

http://www.divab-dogs.com