It is estimated that over 40% of Australia’s pets are overweight!
We all know that Christmas is a time for indulging and we are all guilty of spoiling our pets with our leftover’s and an excess of treats throughout the festive season.
If you think your pet may have a weight problem, (this includes being underweight) then why not start off the New Year with some help from your local VetLove team, a weight management program tailored to your pet, will help them maintain their optimal body weight and contribute to a longer and happier life.
As one might expect, overfeeding and a lack of exercise are the two largest contributing factors to pet obesity. Occasionally, a medical problem, such as hypothyroidism, can cause a dog to become obese. Genetics can also play a role, with some dogs more prone to putting on extra kilos than others. Beagles, Daschunds, Basset Hounds, Pugs and Labrador Retrievers are a few breeds that tend to carry extra weight.
Extra weight is a significant danger to their health, increasing the risk of serious diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease and painful osteoarthritis. To keep your furry friend at a healthy weight, be mindful of portion control – it’s very easy to overfeed your dog or cat simply by pouring a little too much into his/her dish. You’ll want to make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Last, but not least, be careful not to overdo it with treats and snacks. This means being strict with not feeding table scraps and it’s hard to do but not succumbing to guilt feeding when those big sad eyes look at you!
If you have noticed that your pet might have added a few extra kilos recently then now is the time to incorporate the support of a FREE pet weight loss program that is safe and effective. If you have any questions about your dog or cat’s weight, please do not hesitate to give us a call or pop in with them for a free weight check on our digital scales.
Overweight pets are likely to:
- Live a less active and shorter life
- Be more prone to joint and mobility problems
- Develop skin problems and a lower resistance to infection
- Be at greater risk during surgery
- Be disinterested in exercise and play
- Risks for the overweight pet:
- Heart disease
- Susceptibility to infections
- Diabetes mellitus
- Neurological disorders
- Increased surgical & anaesthetic risk
- Respiratory problems
- Cancer
- Earlier onset of joint problems e.g. arthritis
- Skin problems
- Reproductive disorders
- Inactivity
- Decreased quality of life
- Premature ageing