We recently heard about a sweet young yellow Labrador living in California with her loving guardians. Unfortunately, “Dad” showed his love for her by sneaking the tubby canine salt- and fat-laden potato chips and other human junk food snacks when “Mom” wasn’t looking. “So what if she lives a few months shorter,” he reasoned, “at least she’s happy!” Well, the reality is that obesity in dogs and cats could shorten their lifespans not by mere months but by whole years. Obesity is a serious condition that can predispose your animal to medical complications, including heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver problems, and cancer. And the sad fact is that this Lab and her “Dad” are not alone. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s 2018 data demonstrates that “an estimated 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese” (petobesityprevention.org).
Possible Causes of Obesity in Pets:
In addition to misguided guardians who may inadvertently overfeed their pets or give them unhealthy snacks, other factors, such as genetics, nutrition, biochemical dysfunction, gland imbalances, and human emotions can all play a role in your pet’s weight problem.
Overweight Warning Signs:
Look for the following signs to know if your best buddy is or runs the risk of being overweight:
- Gently run your hands along the midsection of your pet’s body. You should be able to feel ribs. If instead you feel layers of fat, then your animal is overweight.
- Take a look at your pet from the rear end forward to see if there is a waist. If the abdomen is larger than the chest, then your pet has a weight problem.
- Have your veterinarian weigh your pet to determine how much, if any, weight your pet has gained. Once your pet is fully grown, his or her weight should be fairly stable. If your pet has packed on the pounds since the last weigh-in, then your pet may be overweight.
- Keep in mind that with a small cat or dog, it only takes a few pounds to cross the line from normal weight to overweight.
Stop Obesity With our Fat Busters Program
At Earth Animal, we believe that your pet deserves more than a life battling obesity and we know that you feel the same way. That is why we created a great program to help your buddy slim down, get healthy, and limit their chances of suffering avoidable disease, such as diabetes. In our Fat Busters Program, developed through years of practicing holistic medicine in which we focus less on symptoms and more on root causes of problems, dogs and cats that are prone to carrying extra pounds are nourished with a diet rich in senior natural foods coupled with a home-cooked diet of whole grains, low fat protein, lots of chopped vegetables, vitamin B6, and lecithin. This program provides a positive impact on the body, mind, and spirit of your dog or cat setting the stage for superb health, fitness, and muscle tone. This diet is used in conjunction with plenty of daily exercise and a visit to your veterinarian for a physical examination. When beginning the program, be sure to include a complete blood scan to rule out a primary medical cause for a sluggish metabolism and weight gain. And if all physical causes have been ruled out, remember to consider human emotions as a culprit for your pet’s weight issues. People may overly dote on a pet using food. It makes us feel good to give our animal companions treats that make them happy. In this case, weight loss in pets can be encouraged by trading treats for visualizations. Let your warm feelings come from picturing your animal companion as vibrant and slim rather than from overfeeding or giving unhealthy treats that only add to your pet’s weight problem. With our plan and some positive reinforcement at home, your pet is sure to get back on the right path to a fit and healthy life.
