PetValu Bradford ? Pet watch: Is your dog or cat obese?

Have you noticed that your dog can?t run as fast or walk as far as he/she used to? Do you groan when your cat jumps on your lap? Well, there?s a possibility that your favourite pet might be overweight.

Statistics from the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity, www.petobesityprevention.com show that an estimated 45 percent of dogs and approximately 58 percent of cats are either overweight or obese. While there are other contributing factors such as age or illness, most vets agree that the common cause of pet obesity is overfeeding. Vets emphasize portion control and regular feeding times as the best way to keep your pet?s weight under control.

There?s a quick test to check for obesity. You should be able to easily feel your pet?s ribs when passing your hand gently over the area and you should see a distinct hourglass shape. Check for an accumulation of fat at the base of the tail across the hips. If you?ve noticed a distinct waddle in their walk, or notice definite lethargy, like avoiding walks altogether, this could also be an indicator.

So what?s the right amount? For dogs it depends on the breed and their weight and could range from one-third of a cup to eight cups of dry food a day. Always check the labels on the feedbag as amounts can vary between brands. This is where checking in with your local pet store expert is probably a good idea.

A typical 10 pound cat should be fed one-quarter to one-third of a cup of dry food daily. And cats are better if you halve their daily allotment into two servings over the day. Feeding cats when they are bored is the fastest way to obesity. When a cat starts meowing at 4 p.m., it doesn?t necessarily mean ?tea time? but rather he wants your attention.

There are diet foods but if you think your pet needs to be on a diet, it?s always wise to check with your vet first.

Having a pet is a big responsibility and having professional advice readily accessible is always handy. If you would like suggestions of the best type of food for your favourite pet, contact PetValu Bradford at www.petvalubradford.ca.

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Source: http://www.bradfordshoptalk.com/2012/pets/pet-watch-is-your-dog-or-cat-obese/

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