pontivet / Weight Management

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

   Your dog or cat may be at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, respiratory difficulties or diabetes if they are carrying excess weight. Winter, especially this year, is difficult when it comes to getting or keeping weight off because there is less opportunity for outside exercise, therefore, even the usual amounts of food can increase the poundage.   An overweight dog has an increased risk of developing transitional cell cancer of the bladder. Fat cats and dogs are at greater risk when being anesthesized, even for routine procedures such as dentals.
   Obesity is defined as the accumulation of an excessive quantity of fat. Common causes of weight gain are:
Overeating--pets who are eating high calorie foods, treats and table scraps tend to gain weight.
Disease--Some medical disorders, such as hyperthyroidism can cause weight gain.
Decreased activity--Pets that aren't getting enough activity can gain weight, they also need fewer calories.
Neutering/spaying--Increases the chance of weight gain.
Age--As a pet ages he/she often becomes less active, requiring fewer calories. Continuing to feed the same amount of food as when the animal was younger will result in increased weight.
   A lean dog lives a median of 1.8 years longer and the onset of chronic disease is delayed by 2 years.

Can you feel your pet's ribs? If you can't fee them easily, your pet may be overweight. What are some criteria you can check at home that will give you insight into your animal's nutritional status?
                       Ideal Weight:
RIBS--easily felt with slight fat cover
TAIL BASE--smooth contour with slight cover
SIDE VIEW--abdominal tuck
OVERHEAD VIEW--well-proportioned waist
                         Overweight
RIBS--difficult to feel under moderate fat cover
TAIL BASE--some thickening, bones palpable under moderate fat cover
SIDE VIEW--no abdominal tuck
OVERHEAD VIEW--back is slightly broadened at waist
                       Obese
RIBS --difficult to feel under thick fat cover
TAIL BASE--thickened and difficult to feel under thick fat cover
SIDE VIEW--no waist, fat hangs from abdomen
OVERHEAD VIEW--back is markedly broadened

   What can YOU do to help?
Make a total commitment to help your pet lose weight
Follow your veterianian's feeding recommendation
If feeding a high fiber food, increase your pet's water intake
Avoid feeding your pet table scraps
Divide the total amount to be fed each day into 3 or 4 smaller meals
Regular, moderate exercise will help your pet and it's a great way to spend time together
Monitor your pet's weight regularly
Assess progress by checking if you can feel your pet's ribs easily

   Getting to and maintaining an ideal body weight will extend your pet's life. It's important to feed the correct foods that result in safe, effective weight management while helping your pet feel full.   You'll need to work with your Vet to choose the best product for your pet. There needs to be the proper balance of nutrients to help your animal achieve and maintain the proper weight. The following are especially important for your pet.
   A special formulation that helps your pet feel full and reduces begging.
   Highest levels of L-carnitine to help convert fat into energy while maintaining lean muscle mass.
   Added antioxidents to reduce free radical damage and counteract oxidative stress.

   So, how do I go about changing my pet's diet?
   Speak to your vet before changing your pet's food or medication.
   Follow any recommendations made by your vet, including follow-up weight checks.
   Gradually introduce new food over a 7 day period by mixing old with new, gradually decreasing the previous food and increasing the new.
   If your pet just says "NO", warm the canned product to body temperature or hand feed or mix the dry with warm water (dogs only). Make sure anu moist food is only left out for an hour. Otherwise the spoilage and bacterial growth could cause illness.
   Be patient but firm with your pet; success and his/her quality and logevity depend on strict adherence to the new feeding regimen.
                           Contact your vet if your pet refuses to eat.

Here's a quiz, courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health, that may help you check you dog's feeding and exercise habits.

Yes No 1. Is your dog of a breed that is prone to obesity, such as

‪ ‪ retrievers, beagles, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, shelties

dachshunds and terriers?

Yes No 2. Do you have a multi dog household?

Yes No 3. Is your dog over 5 years old and still being fed the same type and

‪       ‪             amount of foof as when he/she was younger?

Yes   No   4. Feel your dog's ribs. Is is hard to determine where one rib ends and
                  one begins?

Yess   No   5. Stand at your dog's side and look at the tuck-up--the belly area
                       between the rib cage and hindquarters. Is the body more square
                       shaped in this area?

Yes   No   6. Do you regularly feed your dog table scraps and/or multiple non-meal
                    treats each day?

Yes   No   7. When you feed your dog, do you just pour the food into a bowl rather
                     than measuring the amount each time?

Yes   No   8. Does your dog have difficulty standing or jumping on the couch?

Yes   No   9. Does your dog get less than 20 to 30 minutes per day of outside
                     exercise/play time?
Scoring
1 - 3 Yes There is a low risk that your dog is overweight or obese. You may want to take this survey every few months, especially if you see changes in your dog's weight.
4 - 6 Yes Your dog may be overweight or living a lifestyle that cold lead him/her to become overweight or obese. You may want to discuss your dog's weight at your next vet visit.
7 - 9 Yes Your dog is at a very high risk for being overweight or obese. See a veterinarian to discuss an action plan for your dog.