Eat to Live, obesity part IV

OK, guys, so we've discussed how obesity is a health issue of epidemic proportions. And that it is our fault as pet parents. So what do we do about it? Well, the concepts are simple, but I'm the first to admit that the execution can be difficult. Not impossible, though, and well worth the time and effort you will invest.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sayings like this are out there because there is at least a grain of truth to them. Start early. Roly-poly puppies are cute, yes, but lean pups are healthier. I don't mean ribs-poking-out skinny, just not watch-the-fat-rolls-shift-as-he-runs chubby. Many puppies come from the breeder a little overweight. They are eating solid foods, but may still be nursing, so they can be over-nutritioned. That's OK, just keep in mind that you will want to monitor weight gain to allow them to slim down as they approach adolescence. In other words, we want to be sure the baby fat goes away.

For dogs, a complete, balanced puppy food will do fine until they either reach a year old or are spayed or neutered, at which time a complete and balanced adult dry food will be fine. A treat of canned food is ok, too, just be aware that the canned foods tend to be calorie dense. You can start with the recommended amount of food on the bag, but if your pet is spayed or neutered, or over the age of 3, he/she will likely need a smaller amount than their bag recommends. So be prepared to cut back. I like to recommend feeding at least twice daily, but you can certainly decrease the amount per feeding and feed more frequently, allowing your dog to share in mealtime patterns. Some vets will tell you that feeding carrots or green beans can add bulk and promote a feeling of fullness with each meal, or as a snack in between. I agree.

The prevention method is good for cats, too. But there are some differences. Cats have very limited calorie requirements compared to dogs. Cats require more protein than dogs do, so their food is higher in protein and sometimes fat. But dry food still has a large percentage of carbohydrates present (that's how it is made into dry food). An increasing number of veterinary nutritionists are recommending a paradigm shift- it is very likely healthier for cats to be on a canned food exclusive diet. I know, this is very different from what we have been told for years- dry food for dental health, right? Not so. Cats on canned food get more protein, which their bodies need, less carbohydrates, which their bodies do not need, and generally seem to do better. The canned food also forces more water into their systems, which is very helpful.

Starting kittens off on canned food diets is great. If you have an older cat who has only eaten dry food, she might not realize canned food is food. Don't panic, and don't force. We adjust all plans to suit the individual.

So, what to do with a pet that is already overweight? Diet, diet, diet. Start by talking to your vet. Make a detailed plan for calorie control, exercise, and periodic weigh-ins. You might be shocked at how much you will need to cut back in calories to get good weight loss, but we are not talking fad diets, or getting into those old jeans in a week!  Weight loss needs to be gradual. Especially for cats. Cats that loose weight too quickly can actually get sick. Their bodies mobilize fat, but instead of using it for energy, they store the fat in their livers, which makes the liver unable to function properly. This is called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. It can be life-threatening. So proceed with caution. Dogs are more resilient, but we will get better long term results taking the weight loss slowly.

Good luck! And always enjoy your pets!

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obesity part III- special effects

Obesity is not just cosmetic. It is truly an illness, and increases the chances of developing other illnesses. This is a true for our pets as it is for us.

Arthritis pain can be increased by obesity. All that extra weight increases the impact on joints, aggravating the pain that may have already been present from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or intervertebral disc disease.

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Diabetes is highly correlated with obesity in pets. Cats are at particular risk of this effect.

Hypertension. Again, cats are at particular risk of increased blood pressure. The hypertension, in turn can have terrible effects of other organs- kidneys and heart in particular.

Heart disease. If the heart has to work harder to push blood through more vessels supplying fat cells, it can show problems with it's ability to pump that blood effectively.

Respiratory (breathing) issues. Dogs that are overweight have an increased risk of cough. They tend to pant more- working harder to move those fat-covered ribs. They seem to snore more, too.

Infections. Skin folds create great spots for bacteria to overgrow and cause skin infections. Extra skin that flaps over the vulva can make dogs more prone to vaginal and bladder infections.

So, there you have it. None of this is new information, but it all leads into the importance of attaining and maintaining a healthy weight.

One last word today. Dogs can have a condition in which the thyroid gland (a gland in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism) under produces thyroid hormone. This is hypothyroidism, and it can decrease the metabolism top the point that dogs gain weight even on reduced calorie diets. Cats are very rarely hypothyroid. Your veterinarian can do blood work to confirm or rule out hypothyroidism, and can prescribe medication when it is present.

Enjoy your pets!

Fat or Fluffy? obesity part I

Hi, my name is Kate, and I am obese. I am not alone. The stats they throw at us all day long say that 66% or more Americans are overweight or obese. This has rightly been labeled a health epidemic. There are many reasons for this problem of epidemic proportions, but it boils down to one or two simple issues. We like to eat. We like to eat too much. We like to eat too much of the wrong thing. Personally, I like sugar. In just about every form. Except mint- mint is yucky. Chocolate mint ice cream is just a waste of good chocolate.

We 66%ers take too many calories in. And we don't get enough good exercise to use them up. When the ins are higher than the outs, we get calories stored in the form of fat. Muffin tops. Love handles. Saddlebags. Bingo arms. You get the idea. Historically, bodies developed to store calories during the good times that would then be available for energy during the inevitable bad times. But in developed countries the bad times are pretty much non-existent.

So what does this have to do with pets, you ask. Everything. Our pets in the US share some of our health issues, and obesity is a big one. The same stats apply. As many as 66% of our cats and dogs are overweight and obese. So how can this be? My Bella doesn't get a sudden sugar craving at midnight, get into the freezer, pull out a pint of Ben and Jerry's and chow down. Nope. I feed her. So, again, how does she get fat? Where do we place the blame. Again, the basic issue is simple, but the context is a bit more complex.

Here's the thing. I am obese. My BMI is 31 (BMI is a height-to-weight calculation for people, you can find charts online). But my friends and family tell me I'm not obese. Not fat. They will occasionally agree that I am a bit overweight. Then they offer me dessert.

We are so used to seeing ourselves and others in a overweight state that we have lost perspective. We no longer know what is normal and healthy in our body types. This is true for our pets as well.  Many pet owners are so used to seeing their overweight pet they have no idea that it is not, in fact, normal. I frequently hear from pet owners with dogs of normal weight that they are badgered by friends, family and strangers about their dogs being underweight.

It's our fault. This is an important concept to get: our pet's obesity is OUR fault. We feed them. We overfeed and underexercise them. We have that control. So let's take that control back. In the end, we will have happier, healthier pets, who will likely be part of out lives longer.

Enough lecture for the moment. I will post part 2 soon. If you are interested in more information- like how to tell if your pet is overweight, exercise and diet strategies, and the long-term effects of obesity, talk to your vet. I will have an on-line lecture about weight issues linked through the website www.angelspaws.com. Feel free to listen to that one, and the other informational sessions Tammy Wynn and I are recording.!

Enjoy your pets!

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