Fat Pets
Bodel and her owner, from the Animal Planet program "Fat Pets."
Is Your Dog Obese?
Did you know that there is an epidemic of obese pets in this country? According to a study published in the April issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research, one-third of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Previous studies have found that a third of cats are also overweight or obese.
According to sources quoted in the study, obesity is by far the most common condition that veterinarians see today, and it’s just as unhealthy for our pets as it is for us. Dogs are considered obese if they are more than 20 percent above their ideal weight, which varies depending on the breed.
Overweight pets can suffer from diabetes and joint diseases. Excess weight can even lead to fatal illnesses.
As with people, the main culprit is too much rich food and snacks, and too little exercise.
Another new study finds that restricting a dog's diet can extend its lifetime by almost 2 years. Dogs eating 25 percent less than other dogs were less likely to have diabetes and osteoarthritis. The findings were published in the April 20 issue of the Journal of Proteome Research.
I recently saw a program on Animal Planet titled “Fat Pets” about, well, fat pets. Like a lot of animal programs, this one had been filmed in Great Britain, but the animals and people could just as easily have been American. The prize for living in denial had to go to the owner of a 203-pound Rottweiler who became angry and offended whenever anyone hinted that her dog might be “fat.” Instead, she insisted that the dog was merely “well-rounded.” Well, yeah, the dog was definitely round!
Two other dogs on the show were having health problems related to their obesity — a 40-pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was bullying his owner into giving him snacks constantly (he has a heart murmur and the extra weight was shortening his life), and a 150-pound Rottweiler whose rear leg had collapsed beneath his weight. By the end of the program, both dogs had lost weight. The 150-pound Rottie had gone through an operation to repair his leg and the owner of the Cav had consulted with a behaviorist about how to say “no” to her dog and control his behavior. Even the obese cat on the program, a 23-pounder, had begun an exercise regime (hilarious!) and lost several pounds. However, the owner of the 203-pound Rottie was still buying 16 pounds of butcher’s hearts and sausages every four days for her dog.
As with people, the key to controlling your pet’s weight is controlling portion size, making sure you’re feeding the right food, limiting snacks, and getting enough exercise.
For people into shortcuts, a January Washington Post story announced that the FDA has approved a diet pill for dogs (“Something for the Dog That Eats Everything: A Diet Pill”). Called Slentrol, the prescription drug suppresses a dog’s appetite while also blocking the absorption of fat.
The new drug, a selective microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor, is only for dogs. It is given in liquid form under a veterinarian's close supervision. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Pfizer Inc., which makes the drug, said studies found that Slentrol is safe and effective in a variety of breeds, from Dachshunds to Retrievers. Most lost at least some weight, and half dropped at least 11 percent of their body weight in four months. But the company and other experts said diet and exercise are necessary in addition to the drug, which will cost $1 to $2 a day.
Is your dog overweight? Can you find his or her ribs? Do they get enough exercise?
