A Family Dog Diet

The family dog is one of the family members whose love is given freely. That love is especially given when someone slips a juicy morsel of food under the table and to fido. But if you take a close look at the family dog or cat, you'd see there is a need to put the pet on a weight control program. We can love our pets to death and not under what caused their demise. The reality of pet obesity is at least 17 million pets in America alone are considered obese.That is a whopping 17 million pets suffering from obesity.

Our pets depend on us to take care of them. That includes monitoring their food intake. There are several ways a pet becomes over weight. Lack of exercise is a major contributor to pet obesity. Just as humans must burn more calories than consumed, the same applies to pets.

Do you remember giving the family pet a little extra food because it was left home alone for a longer time than you planned? Do you add drippings from the human food to your pet's animal food. After all it adds flavor to the dish? Or is anyone in the family guilty of feeding the pet a little of their food from the table? Oh yeah, those pet treats, how often are they given to the pet? All these acts of kindness and more add to pet obesity. Although they are human expressions of love to the pet, they are also adding to the calorie intake the pet is eating. In the end, your pet will be more round than slim.

Do you recall looking into the mirror and noticed a little roll here or there? You sucked your tummy in but it did not help the situation. Pretty much its the same with your family pet. Regardless of the breed of the pet dog or cat, you want a slim animal. That means a slim pet, not a skinny pet. And not a round animal either. Round in most cases mean over weight or full blown obesity. How do you determine if your pet is overweight?

Veterinarians have a scale that ranges from 1 - 9 which determines the weight health of cats and dogs. If a pet is number 1, the pet is skinny or emaciated. If the pet is number 9, it is over weight or obese. If the pet is number 5,it is considered slim and in good weight health. Different areas of the body such as the pets ribs, its shoulders, top view, and side view are ranked between 1 to 9. The overall numbers will tell the veterinarian the health of the pet. You might call this the pet's physical examination.

The consequences of pet obesity are pretty much the same as for humans. Unfortunately, pets can't tell us they are in pain. Depending on the percentage of the pet's obessity, the following health issues may plague the pet...

• diabetes
• arthritis
• heart disease
• vital organs diseases such as liver,kidneys,digestive track track problems,etc.
• blood pressure problems
• unhealthy skin and coat problems
• cancer
• lethargic
• respiratory problems
• greater surgical fatality risk

There are other health issues associated with pet obesity than noted above. They will suffer from the same weight related illnesses as humans.

Taking responsibility for getting pets back in shape and keeping them healthy is a true act of love and kindness. The pets will do anything they are asked to do. They might not understand the reason they are not given all the food and snacks they once enjoyed. But in the long run, they will love you for improving the quality of their life.

When you notice the family pet's body is more round than slim, make an appointment with the local vet to make sure all is well. Discuss your concerns and see if you only need to reduce the amount of food given to the pet. Follow the veternerian's recommendations. Most of the time the reduction of food is all that is needed. Sometimes its more than a little weight gain.

For now, let's say its a weight gain problem and nothinceg else. First, set up a recommended exercise program that accommodates the dog's breed and body build. An exercise program could include more walks for the family pet. More ball toss games for the pet. And think about more games that could be played with the pet while in the house. A little rough housing could benefit both the pet and the pet owner.

Depending on the veterinarian's recommendations, there are diet meals designed to provide more nutrients and less food for the pet. These foods are dense fiber foods that make the pet feel full for a longer period of time. The pet is receiving less food without experiencing hunger pains.

Some owners feed their pets their normal food but in smaller portions. It works but the key is to make sure the pet receives its required amount of nutritional foods.

The treats given to pets should be reduced but monitored for quality of content. There are low calorie treats a pet may be given. Veterinarians recommend broccoli, carrots, cooked green beans and even air popped popcorn.

In the long run, returning pets to healthy weight is an intense and difficult process. It takes determination on the part of the pet owner and other family members to make the goal a reality. Your pet will become more challenging and more difficult to live with because it only understands, there is less food to.  Less attention at dinner time under the table will be confusing to the pet. But In the long run, the pet will become a healthier and happier pet.

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