Is your pet dog or cat overweight? Unfortunately, pet obesity awareness is not high in many people. Your pet’s obesity and the consequent health issues become that much more difficult to combat because owners are mistaken about their pet’s weight. In a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, USA, 33% owners thought their pet was the right weight when he was, in fact, overweight. Cat owners seemed worse off because 46% were incorrect in their judgement of their pet’s weight. Extra weight on pets worsens their arthritis and slows them down. It can also lead to a medical emergency or illness. There are ways in which you can take control of your pet’s diet for him to maintain a more ideal weight and body condition:
Cut down on the treats. Treats lead to extra calories and weight gain. Talk to your family and make a rule that treats cannot be given too often. Replace high-calorie treats with low-calories ones. Break treats into half and spread them over the day. Try to give healthy snacks after consulting a vet. Avoid feeding them table scraps.
Use the right measuring cups. Get a set of dry measuring cups for your pet’s food, or use a kitchen scale to measure the amount of food that you give. Pet food packets also recommend the quantity of the feed. Stick to it.
Let your pet get more active. Gradually, increase the level of your pet’s activity to help him burn the calories. If your pet is suffering from arthritis or other orthopaedic conditions, talk to the vet. If you have a pet dog, take him for long walks. When at home, play with your dog and set up an obstacle course in the living room. If you own a cat, try different toys that would ensure his activity.
Don’t run out of pet foods. If you suddenly realise that there’s no pet food at home, you might be tempted to feed your pet the food that you eat. Abrupt changes can be bad for the pet’s digestion. Try to store foods that are readily available anywhere. This matters even more if you’re travelling with your pet.
Check for underlying problem. Your pet could be suffering from low-functioning thyroid, fluid retention or other such problem that makes him look overweight. Consult your vet.