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July 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
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decrease. Or you may be giving your
pet a few too many treats or not exercising him enough. In any case, your
veterinarian can recommend a diet
and exercise plan to help your pet
attain the proper weight.
What is an
appropriate diet for
my pet?
As with people, the best way to
control your pet’s weight is to control
the number of calories he eats in a
day and make sure he gets the right
amount of exercise. Your veterinarian
plays a crucial role in recommending
the appropriate food and exercise
for your pet’s specific breed and age.
If weight loss is necessary, a 1 to 2
percent weight loss per week is optimal – the key is to help your pet lose
weight gradually.
You can control your pet’s caloric
intake in several ways. Giving your
pet less food is always effective.
Feeding dry food rather than canned
food can help because dry food usually has fewer calories. Your veterinarian may prescribe a diet designed
specifically for weight loss and then,
once your pet has reached his ideal
weight, a maintenance diet.
PET HEALTH
Can pets be overweight?
By Dr. Kimberly Sears, Village Animal Hospital
An estimated
30 to 40 percent
of all pets in the United States are
overweight, making obesity one of
the most common diseases afflicting
dogs and cats today. Being overweight
can cause some of the same problems
in pets as it does in people – respiratory problems, arthritis, heart disease,
diabetes, and many others. In short,
obesity can lead to a shortened life
and lower quality of life for your pet.
Pets generally weigh much less
than people; therefore, just a pound
or two can make a big difference. In
order to keep your pet healthy, it is
important to watch your pet’s diet,
exercise routine, and weight. An average-sized cat should weigh between
eight and 10 pounds. A dog’s ideal
weight depends on his breed. Talk to
your veterinarian to determine what
your pet should weigh and the steps
you can take to help your pet reach
and maintain the ideal weight.
Is my pet overweight?
You can monitor your pet’s weight
at home by feeling his ribs. Place your
fingers on the side of the rib cage and
press or rub gently. If you can feel his
ribs fairly easily, your pet probably is
not overweight. If you have to press
harder to feel the ribs, he is likely
overweight. As you are observing and
feeling the ribs, look for your pet’s
“waist.” If your pet’s weight is normal,
the body should become more slender as you look from the end of the
ribs to the hindquarters.
Your veterinarian will check your
pet’s weight during the wellness
examination. If your pet is overweight, your veterinarian can run
tests to determine if there is a medical
cause.
An older pet may gain weight as
his activity level and metabolism
Working with animals requires
patience, understanding, and,
above all, compassion; both for
the animal and for
their owners
FREE NEW PATIENT EXAMS
(859) 252-4917
www.villageanimalhospital.net
1801 Alexandria Dr., Suite 180 • Lexington, KY 40504
Can I feed my dog
treats?
If you can’t resist those “puppydog eyes,” try feeding your dog lowcalorie snacks. Many dogs actually
like fruits and raw vegetables, such
as apples, oranges, carrots, broccoli,
potatoes, and green beans. If your
dog has trouble digesting raw fruits
and vegetables, or if the weather is
hot, give him an ice cube. It will be a
fun treat without the extra calories!
Treats for both dogs
and cats are available
at pet-food stores
and supermarkets.
Whatever the type of