More than half of pets in developed countries are overweight.
Being just 10% overweight decreases a pet's lifespan by one-third and predisposes him/her to arthritis, chronic kidney disease, bladder/urinary tract disease, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Many pet owners believe their pet is at normal weight when it actually is not. How do you determine if your pet is at a perfect weight?
Run your hands along either side of the rib cage. You should be able to easily feel but not see each rib, and your pet should have a waist or a tucked up area in front of the hind legs. If you can pinch more than an inch and/or your pet has lost waist, it’s probably time to think about reducing.
What's interesting is that half of overweight pets fed an appropriate amount of food at meal times. It's the excessive treats that add up to way more than recommended <10% of the total diet calories. Kongs and lick mats filled with peanut butter, treats, and table scraps sometimes given by different family members numerous times a day, etc.
Start by evaluating where extra calories are coming from. Replace treats with fresh fruits and veggies: fresh or frozen blueberries, green beans and peas, pieces of carrots or apples, frozen water melon juice, cucumber slices etc. Does your per receive adequate exercise? A sedative lifestyle definitely adds to obesity.
Reducing calories at meal time is not as simple as just feeding less. If a drastic cut is required, your pet might not receive enough nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Feeding fresh foods allows for larger quantities of food that helps the pet feel full. You can try adding more veggies with fiber to help feeling fuller longer.
Getting your pet lean and fit will add extra years of quality life and reduce visits to the vet for illnesses
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