Is Your Pet Overweight?

Obesity: it's an epidemic effecting adults, kids, and now, our pets.

The latest report comes from the National Research Council of The National Academies, and concludes that as many as 25 percent of dogs and cats are fat because they're overeating and not getting enough exercise.

The Early Show correspondent, and resident veterinarian, Debbye Turner has the details Monday. With her will be her two friends: Miss Piggy (a Chihuahua) and Whiskers (a cat), who unfortunately fall into this category.

What Is Pet Obesity And What Causes It?

Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight, beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, resulting from an accumulation of excess body fat. Pets become overweight/obese for the same reason that people do: their caloric intake exceeds their caloric expenditure.

Factors that contribute to pet obesity include: overfeeding, inactivity, breed, age and sex, spay/neuter status, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and hypothyroidism. And, as with humans, when a pet ages, its metabolism slows and it requires less food. Other contributing factors include owners giving their pets frequent high-calorie treats, and more than one family member feeding the pet.

Why Is Pet Obesity A Problem?
As in humans, pet obesity is dangerous and unhealthy. It can lead to liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, joint and back problems, and can dramatically decrease the lifespan of your pet. An obese pet is cumbersome and clumsy and suffers a marked deterioration in mobility and appearance. Decreased flexibility prevents obese pets from grooming themselves properly, which can lead to skin problems. Obese pets are also poor candidates for surgery and anesthesia.

Note: Obesity is easier to prevent than cure, so owners should stop overfeeding their pets. They are NOT doing their pets any favors by feeding them table scraps and tons of treats.

How Can You Tell If Your Pet Is Overweight?

Assessing body condition is an important first step in determining obesity. You can't tell if a pet is overweight simply by putting it on a scale. There is no ideal weight chart for "all cats" or "all dogs" the way there is for humans! A pet's "ideal weight" varies by breed and quite widely within breeds.

Overweight Cats: You can usually tell if a feline is overweight just by looking at it. If it looks like a barrel on sticks, then it either has intestinal parasites or is overweight. If it has a big round belly, then it is fat. Cats should be straight and lean. Cats get fat on their tummies, not along their ribcages the way dogs do.

Overweight Dogs: You can tell if a dog is overweight by running your hands over the animal's ribs; it's called a "rib check." If you run your hands over its sides along its chest, then you should easily be able to feel its ribs - if you can't, then the dog is overweight. An "ideal-weight" dog's abdomen should be slightly tucked up when viewed from the side. Dogs should have waistlines; if you look at it from the top, it should have an hourglass shape. If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist and its abdomen drags. The dog is too fat. You can diagnose your pet yourself, but any good vet will probably point out that your pet is getting a bit chunky.

What Can Pet Owners Do To Help Their Pet Slim Down?
First, you should talk to your veterinarian about your concerns about your pet's weight. You must ALWAYS check with a veterinarian before starting your pet on a weight-loss program. As with humans, losing weight isn't easy but changing your pet's habits is the key. There are four crucial components to helping your pet slim down - regular exercise, cut out the treats, switch to a low-fat pet food, and exercise portion control.

Regular Exercise: "Increase your pet's activity level"

• Pets should have at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily to eliminate extra calories and sustain muscle tone. Exercising with pets is a great way for dog and cat owners to keep fit, too.
• Make it fun. For dogs, take a walk, set up an obstacle course or join an indoor agility or obedience class. For cats, use string or toy to encourage jumping and chasing or give it something interesting to climb.

Select a Low-Fat Premium Food

• If your pet is more than 15 percent overweight your vet may recommend switching to a "diet" pet food that is low in fat.
• Read the labels. A low-fat premium food contains animal-based protein (helps maintain lean muscle mass while pets lose weight at a healthy pace) and has the nutrient L-carnitive, which helps turn fat into energy. Beware of pet foods that merely add fiber to bulk up the food.
• There are many brands to choose from - nearly every major pet-food brand makes a "low-fat," "lite", or "weight-control" version of its product. Treats come in these "lite" versions as well. Be sure to select a product carefully; you need to be sure that your pet is still getting the proper nutrients.
• When switching to a high-quality, low-fat food, it's important to change the food gradually.
  But regardless of what food you select, remember to provide plenty of fresh clean water!

• Owners should follow the feeding guidelines recommended by the veterinarian or provided on the pet-food package. Remember that the pet's breed, age and lifestyle also play a big part in determining portion sizes.
• Keep in mind that feeding amounts required by a weight-loss diet may be smaller than normal portions.
• Maintain your normal feeding routine (same time and place) but feed 2-3 smaller meals a day rather than one big meal. If you were feeding your pet "free choice," you will need to switch to set meal times.
• Pick up what has not been eaten 30 minutes after each meal.