Fat Cats, Heavy Hounds

Google the terms “fat cats” and “fat dogs.” More than 12 million images and links pop up in the feline category and 19 million for canines.

Those are scary numbers because of the health risks associated with being overweight. But obesity is not just a human problem. It’s affecting our pets too.

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Part of the challenge is that many of us use food as a form of love.

Jackie Geller, a mom and public relations consultant in New Jersey, dotes on her overweight dog Daisy, a beagle mix she adopted at a local animal shelter.

“My dog, Daisy, just looks at me with those big brown eyes, and it’s anything you want,” Geller told LifeZette.

Unfortunately, Daisy doesn’t get a lot of exercise, and her health is compromised because of her weight.

Like Daisy, my cats Karma and Chai also give me those endearing looks that ask me for more food. They have even learned how to open the cabinet where we keep their food. To make sure I don’t overfeed them, I rarely buy treats. That’s because I’ve learned that obesity isn’t healthy for them and not having treats in the house is less of a temptation for me.

Related: A Pumpkin for Your Pet? Possibly.

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, told LifeZette, “Overweight pets are at risk for preventable diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. Being overweight also shortens their life expectancy.”

“Being overweight shortens a pet’s life expectancy.”

“It’s important pet owners understand that when a pet is obese, their quality of life suffers. Obesity causes chronic inflammation that damages organs, suppresses the immune system, and increases the risk of developing cancer,” Ward said.

“The great news is that losing weight has never been easier for pets and their owners,” he added. “Advances in veterinary nutrition, and innovations in medicine and technology, have provided veterinarians with safe weight loss tools that work incredibly well.”

Ward advises asking your pet’s veterinarian to perform a body-condition score. Based on this information, your veterinarian will be able to help you figure out how much food your cat or dog should be given on a daily basis.

Related: A Shelter Dog No More

A lot of dry cat and dog food lists suggested guidelines, but your veterinarian knows your pet better than the pet food manufacturers. Those guidelines on the bag are just that — guidelines designed for small, medium, and large dogs. They don’t take exercise or breed into account. So a discussion with your pet’s veterinarian is essential.

Exercise should be part of the equation, too. You should walk your dog two to three times a day for 20 to 30 minutes each time. Or take your dog to the dog park and toss a Frisbee or ball. For indoor cats, plan five to 10 minutes of playtime at least three times each day. Cats love laser pointers. Just make sure you don’t shine the laser in their eyes. The best part of playtime is that you are bonding with your pets.

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If you still want to give your dog or cat a treat, use small treats sparingly as a reward for good behavior.

Once your pet reaches the ideal weight, don’t stop there. Ward recommends checking your pet’s weight every one to three months.

“If you encounter a weight loss plateau, or if your pet fails to reach a target weight, your vet will adjust calories or switch therapeutic diets,” he said. “The fight against pet obesity isn’t about chasing a number on a scale. It’s about improving the quality of life of our beloved dogs and cats.”