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Pet Talk With Dr. Lori Keeler
Weight Matters
As more people battle with their own weight issues, furry
housemates increasingly struggle alongside them. Data from
the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention indicate that over
half of all dogs and cats are overweight or obese. “Obese” is
defined as 30% above normal weight. This means a cat with
a normal weight of 8 lbs for its body size is obese if it weighs
10.5lbs - that is only 2.5 lbs!!!
One hurdle: people’s idea of what constitutes a fat pet often
differs from clinical reality. A study by Pfizer Inc.’s Animal
Health business showed that 47% of veterinarians felt their
canine patients were obese, while only 17% of dog owners
agreed. For instance, a 90-pound female Labrador retriever
is roughly equivalent to a 186-pound woman who is 5-foot,
4-inches tall—a human body-mass index that’s considered
obese.
The main culprit: owners who routinely overfeed pets, don’t
exercise them enough and are unaware of the severe, and
costly, health problems caused by excess weight. Common
woes include diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, high blood
pressure and cancer. Research also suggests that pets fed
less over their lifetime can live significantly longer.
Knowing how much to feed your pet can be confusing.
Manufacturers are not required to list the calorie content
of their foods on labels, feeding directions are listed for
the “most demanding” life stage for which the product is
intended, such as reproduction. Subsequently you could
be overfeeding your pet by 25% or more by following the
feeding quidelines on the bag.
The pet industry is eager to help - there are dog treadmills,
boot camps for obese dogs, dog walkers to take your pet
for extra exercise and numerous toys and gadgets to get
your feline friends moving around the house.
What should an owner do? First of all, have your veterinarian
assess your pets body condition and overall health. Just as
in people, your obese pet should never enter a weight loss
program without the consent of their doctor. Call us today
for a weight assessment 403-278-9311.
Pg. 11 February 2013 The OFFICIAL community newsletter for Acadia (also delivering to Fairview businesses)