Governor Animal Clinic, Inc.

If you're unsure what your pet's optimum weight should be, perform this simple test: Place your hands on your pet's rib cage with your thumbs on the back. If you feel the ribs easily, your pet is considered to be normal weight.

If you can feel fat between the skin and ribs or the ribs are difficult to feel, your pet is overweight. If you can't feel the ribs, your pet is definitely obese. In some pets, particularly cats, a large abdomen that hangs down may indicate obesity. It's important to have this judgment confirmed by your veterinarian; he or she can rule out other diseases that look like obesity such as heart, kidney, or glandular disease.

If your pet is overweight, there are usually painless methods for losing those unhealthy pounds. With careful dietary management and oversight by your veterinarian, changes in diet and lifestyle can lead to a much more productive life. There are prescription diet formulations available at Governor Animal Clinic that can make your pet's weight loss easy for you and your pet. Routine walks and playtime combined with sensible feedings can avert the need for medical intervention. As your pet ages, we recommend changing to a low-fat, high-fiber senior maintenance diet. Contact us @ 858-453-6312 for recommendations best suited to your pets health.

Don't confuse food with love, no "guilt" treats when your pet has been left alone. What they really want is your time,attention and love. The rewards for a healthy pet is a longer life, less chance of painful arthritis and other disease, and a happier, playful, energetic companion. And you will be rewarded with more time to spend together!

You can easily feel its ribs.

It has a tucked abdomen and no sagging stomach.

You can see its waist from above.

You have difficulty feeling its ribs.

It has a sagging stomach, and you can grab a handful of fat.

It has a broad, flat back and no visible waist.

Labrador retriever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 to 80 pounds

An estimated 45 percent of all U.S. pets are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. (If you need proof that the obesity epidemic has made its way into the pet world at an alarming rate, Oct. 13 was National Pet Obesity Awareness Day). Only a small number of owners believe their pet has a weight problem. The "thicker" look is accepted as the norm, and an "in shape" canine appears undernourished. Not good news for those that wish their pet to live a long, healthy life.

While the best treatment is prevention, it's never too late to help your pet stay in better shape. Consider the extra pounds translation in terms of human weight; an extra 3 pounds on a 10 pound cat is equal to an extra 38 pounds on a 125 pound woman!! An extra 5 pounds on a 30 pound dog is equal to an extra 21 pounds on a 125 pound woman.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in dogs and cats. It's more common with advancing age and in females.

Some of the health risks of obesity are;

Diabetes mellitus (signs are weakness, increased thirst, frequent urination, depression and abdominal pain)

Arthritis and other joint disorders (signs are behavioral changes, limping, stiffness, difficulty climbing stairs)

Heart disease (signs are coughing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, intolerance to exercise)

High blood pressure (no visible warning signs, regular veterinary visits are critical)

and skin problems (unkempt hair coat, repeated itching and scratching).

Obese animals—those with a 15 percent increase over optimum body weight—have a much greater risks with surgery and anesthesia. Most research in both people and animals suggests that increased weight shortens life.

Although some medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can cause pets to gain weight, the most common cause of obesity in pets is identical to the most common cause in humans; poor diet and lack of exercise.

Instead of giving treats, play with your pet when it begs for food.

If you simply can't resist giving treats, switch to low calorie treats like baby carrot sticks, or give a few kibbles of their regular diet, but reduce their next meal in proportion to the amount of treats given.

You can help your pet maintain a healthy body weight and prevent serious disease by providing proper nutrition, increased physical activity, and regular veterinary wellness visits.

· If feeding kibble, only feed 70% of the suggested daily requirement listed on the bag. Use a dry measuring cup for accurate measurements.
· The volume of food you feed is also dependent on the individual and its own particular needs. Like humans, no two dogs or cats are the same.
· Consider the age of your pet. Are you feeding the same amount of food to an aging pet that you did when (s)he was growing and much more active?
· After spaying or neutering hormone production is decreased and metabolism slows down, so modify volume accordingly.
· If you are feeding a low grade commercial food, chances are it is full of salt, sugar and fat to make it taste good. There is little nutrition in these foods, so the animal never feels satisfied and wants to eat all the time.
· Check the carbohydrate level of your pets food. Uunused carb calories will translate to fat. Some weight reduction diets contain useless byproducts, acting as fillers, to make the animal feel full. Animals cannot sustain a low fat diet and stay healthy in the long run. Your pets need healthy fats for good skin and coat.
· Sometimes weight gain is unexplainable. That's the time to head to the veterinarian for tests to see if there is an imbalance with the thyroid or adrenal glands or other underlying health issue.
· Does everyone in the house who feeds the pets know the proper amounts?
· Twice a day is better than feeding once a day, dividing the proper amount of food,
· No "free feeding." It is important to monitor daily intake.· A safe, gradual weight reduction program is about one percent body weight per month. Going too quickly can stress the animal's internal organs.

Please make healthy choices for your pet. You will have a more vibrant animal and staying healthy will result in fewer visits to the vet.



*If you must give treats, then make your own! Use the canned version of your pet's regular diet, place spoonfulls onto a baking pan, and bake in a 250 degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour (or until crispy). Be sure to subtract the approximate amount of his/her dry food with the size of the cookie given when it comes to dinnertime.