| Overweight Pets |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-209 |
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Some experts estimate that a third of all dogs and cats are overweight, say Ask DIY Pet Care Experts Stephanie Zielinski and Joel Tatum. Below, the veterinary duo answers five of the most common queries about pets and weight. Q: How do I know if my pet is overweight?
A: The easiest thing to do is look at your pet. Check your dog's tummy. Is it hanging low? Stand above your dog and look down to see if she has a waist. No waist could mean too much weight. Also examine your dog to see if he has a "tuck up," a defined area just behind the ribs and in front of the hind legs. No definition in that area could indicate your dog is overweight. To see if a cat is overweight, look at her abdomen -- is it drooping a bit between the legs? If the abdomen is protruding from your cat's rib cage, he could be too heavy or he could have another medical condition. Have your veterinarian check him out. A chubby head and a tiny head with a big body are also signs that your cat weighs too much. Generally, cats that aren't purebred should weigh eight to 12 pounds. A dog or a cat is at an ideal weight if you can easily feel the animal's ribs. If you have trouble finding the ribs and notice that there's fat around the tail, the animal could be obese. Talk to your veterinarian to find out how your animal could lose weight. Q: What is a good fat content in pet food?
A:To help your pet lose weight, go for a cat food with 7 to 14 percent fat content or a dog food with 5 to 12 percent fat content. If you just want your pet to maintain his weight, the fat content can run a bit higher, but don't go much higher. Q: Are pet treats to blame for my pet's weight problem?
A: They could be. If you give your dog three treats a day, that's 90 treats a month, which is a whole lot of extra calories. Consider giving your pet fewer treats, or breaking the treats into smaller pieces. Or give your pet cut-up raw carrots or cooked green beans as a treat. Rice cakes or unbuttered popcorn are other good low-fat, low-calorie treat options. Q: Will neutering affect my pet's weight?
A: Yes, it can. A neutered pet requires fewer fat calories than a pet that hasn't been neutered. Q: What is the best exercise for my pet?
A: Walking. It's a great exercise for your dog, your cat and you. You really can walk your cat. Use a harness and leash (figure A). Let the cat wear the harness a couple of times around the house so she can get used to it. The next time, attach the leash and let the cat get used to the feel of that by dragging it around the house for a while. Make sure you follow the cat during these trial periods. After your cat's fairly used to the harness and leash, take him outside during a quiet time of day. Unlike when you walk a dog, you can't be all that goal-oriented with cat walking -- it's more of a Zen experience. Web site resources for Overweight Pets: Feeding An Overweight Dog from Family Go.Com The Overweight Pet from The Pet Center.Com Overweight -- 12 Ways To Tip The Scales from Acme Pet.Com Book: Plump Pups And Fat Cats: A Seven Point Weight Loss Program For Your Overweight Pet
by Steve Duno
ISBN: 0312244363
St. Martin's Press (1999)
175 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-982-3900
Fax: 212-777-6359
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