A Pet's View / June 2005
Love by the Pound
Keeping the pounds off a pet can be even
more of a challenge than keeping it off of hips.
For owners who battle the bulge in their pets,
diets can be cruel and unusual punishment,
for the owner and the animal. Withholding
food is heartbreaking, and watching a ravenous
dog scrounge for every scrap is painful for
empathetic owners. Pet owners compensate
for long and frequent absences with treats and
overfeeding. The result is that about 25% of
pets are overweight.
Pets gain weight for the same reason
people gain weight-too much food and not
enough exercise. Dog owners assume that
dogs with a yard will exercise themselves, but
it turns out, they’re just as lazy as people when
they are left alone.
The Small Animal Clinical Nutrition guide
mentions certain breeds, like Labs, Beagles, Basset
Hounds and Dachshunds are prone to weight
gain, but for most pets, it’s a lifestyle issue.
Obesity in pets is a serious concern,
related to joint problems, diabetes and heart
disease. Since pet owners gauge a pet food
by how well their pet likes it, pet food often
has plenty of fat and carbohydrates, just like
perennial people-favorites like potato chips,
candy bars and hot dogs do. It tastes good,
but isn’t healthy. Junk food is junk food,
whether it comes in a bowl, a bag or a box.
Many pet owners eventually turn to a
natural solution. Andi Brown, Director of
Purely for Pets, a company which specializes
in pet nutrition, suggests a diet of wholesome
food with no fillers like corn, wheat or rice.
She says, “Even brown rice can add extra
pounds and the ingredient has no real place
in a pets dish.” She recommends a complete
meat and vegetable mix that is filling and
satisfies an animals nutritional requirements.
“Keeping the meat to vegetable ration at
about 40/60 gives a good balance. Chicken is
a good base along with a variety of vegetables
which can include green beans, zucchini, yellow
squash and carrots.” Discerning label
readers can also find natural canned foods
without fillers from veterinarians, health food
stores and pet stores.
Many veterinarians recommend dividing
the planned serving amount into two feedings
a day, rather than just one. Pet owners
can also join their best friend in the weight
loss program. The buddy system has always
been the most successful way to diet. PL
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Designed by Livewire Studio
Send an Email About This Article