Overweight dogs and cats can suffer from poor health.
Pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Sadly, many owners of overweight dogs and cats never realize that their pet’s weight is abnormal. These pet owners also do not realize that the excess pounds their dog or cat is carrying places their pet at risk for various health problems. So, I’d like to provide you with some resources you can use to help determine whether your pet’s weight is ideal or not. If you find that your pet is overweight, you’ll also find resources for helping him to lose the weight and get back to a healthy weight.
Why is Being Overweight Dangerous for Dogs and Cats? – Do you know what health problems your pet is at risk for if he/she is overweight or obese? There are a lot of diseases and disease complications which overweight and obese dogs and cats are more susceptible to developing. This article will give you an overview of why it important to find out whether your dog or cat is at his ideal body weight. Hint: Two out of three owners of overweight dogs and cats do not realize their pet is overweight or at danger for additional disease as a result.
Is My Pet Overweight? – Are you wondering if you dog or cat could weigh more than he/she should? If you’re not wondering, remember that two out three pet owners possessing overweight pets realize that their pet has a weight problem. Convinced that you should find out? This article will help you make sure that your canine or feline companion is lean and in good shape. You might be surprised by what you find!
Cat Body Condition Score Chart – Compare your cat to the images and descriptions in this feline body condition chart to determine whether your cat is overweight, underweight or at his/her ideal weight.
Dog Body Condition Score Chart – Compare your dog to the images and descriptions in this canine body condition chart to determine whether your cat is overweight, underweight or at his/her ideal weight.
Determining Proper Body Weight for Dogs and Cats – More information about determining whether your pet is overweight, underweight or ideal.
Nutrigenomics – Linking Nutrition to Genetics – A link between genetic makeup and obesity? Could your dog or cat have obesity programmed in his/her genes? Yes! Nutrigenomics is an emerging science which studies the link between genetic makeup and nutrition. It has been proven that obese dogs and cats have a genetic makeup which alters their metabolism. Read this article to find out more.
Fat Dogs and Canine Weight Loss – Need practical information about getting your dog to lose weight? This is the source you’re looking for. Learn how diet and exercise combine to provide the safest means of weight loss. Find out more about the weight loss drug, Slentrol® also.
Feline nutrition and weight management guidelines – AAFP and AAHA have recently issued new “Feline Life Stages Guidelines” which cover nutrition and weight management for cats. This article details their recommendations regarding these issues.
Photo Credit: Yukari/Flickr.com
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
haha,clean diet and exercise,it sounds great.
Hi, Antonio.
Yes, diet and exercise are the key to a successful weight loss program. Absolutely.
Unbelievable, that’s exactly what I was searching for! You just saved me alot of work
Glad to be of service, Tameka
Hi, Tyson.
I’m sorry you’re confused. What type of information do you need?
Be on your guard against your children or other members of the family giving your dog food from their plates.
And bear in mind that some dog food companies recommend unnecessarily large servings, perhaps because it means more food sold. So don’t take their recommended portions as gospel.
You make some great points, Glen. And you’re absolutely right. The recommended serving size on a dog (or cat) food label should be used as a guideline only. The amount fed daily should be adjusted based on your pet’s body condition score, regardless of the advice given by the pet food manufacturer. And you’re right also about table food from family members adding calories to the diet. This needs to be taken into account when formulating a balanced diet also.
Diet and exercise are the cornerstone of weight control, but the chemicals the pet food mfg.’s add to the food are disrupting the normal biological functioning of the animals systems. So even if you feed them less and exercise they may still run into problems taking the weight off and/or being healthy.
The best thing I’ve done is give my dog a “human grade” dog food, not a supermarket variety, it has really helped her activity level.
Thanks for the suggestion, Karen. I’m glad the “human grade” diet has been working well for you and your dog.
You’re absolutely right. There’s nothing cute about a dog or cat whose life will be significantly shortened because their owner couldn’t resist stuffing them with treats and unnecessary calories.
For me it’s funny a bit for me if my pet is overweight it’s cute. But i know that’s not good for there health. So Thank you very much for sharing this article.
Paws Pet Supermarket
I think lots of pet owners think that, Holly. But it stops being funny when it starts to interfere with your pet’s health and even shortens the pet’s life
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