Editorial

Pet Education Program in Schools - "Children & Pets" at MIPE 2002

DBKL ruling on Licensing of Dogs

Love Is Not Spelled
" T-R-E-A-T"

A Legacy Of Love

Love Is Not Spelled "T-R-E-A-T",

As the proud and loving owner of one roly-poly ball of purring fur, I felt obliged to find out whether and how obesity can affect a pet's health. After all, there is no societal pressure for my cat to be sinewy slim, and she is quite content with her physique. The process of slimming her down certainly poses a risk to her ambient happiness level. "How does this compare to the risk to her health of being so round?" I asked a veterinarian and researcher on obesity in pets.

"There may be diseases caused by obesity in dogs and cats, but what we see more often are ordinary medical problems made worse by obesity," explained the vet.

For example, pets of any body condition can get diabetes, but the disease is more difficult to manage in obese pets because the additional body fat interferes with insulin effectiveness. Problems such as torn ligaments are more common in obese pets both because of their disproportionate size and because they often don't have the muscle tone to balance and support the extra weight. Arthritis is not caused by obesity but may be worsened by the extra load on the arthritic joints.

Just about every organ in the body may be affected by obesity, but most at risk are the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. "Obesity also compromises the effectiveness of a proper physical exam. Heart and lung sounds can be masked by body fat. The consistency and size of abdominal organs are difficult to feel through intervening fat," said the vet. "This may prevent the veterinarian from finding early indicators of disease and delay diagnosis until a disease has reached advanced stages."

What causes obesity in pets? "There are diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease, that are associated with weight gain. There are also hormonal influences, genetic influences, and individual variation in metabolism and appetite, but unfortunately the most frequent cause of obesity in pets is owner indulgence of treats and/or oversized portions of pet food. Owners don't realize that they are killing their pets with kindness" said the vet.

Excess weight is easier to prevent than to lose. The more weight there is to carry around, the more inactive a pet becomes, and the harder it is to exercise and reduce weight. Visits to your veterinarian for your pet's cycle of puppy or kitten shots should include weight monitoring. Then adjustments in diet and exercise can be made early and problems with obesity avoided.

The first step toward weight reduction and improved health is a visit with your veterinarian. Metabolic problems contributing to weight gain should be corrected before changing your pet's diet or routine. Your veterinarian will also know the ideal weight for your pet and can provide a healthy diet and exercise plan. Well-defined goals and regular weight checks are the recipe for successful weight loss.

Pets are best exercised by playing with them. Take the dog for walks. Play fetch. Give the cat toys it can chase. If your cat follows you up and down stairs, then walk up and down stairs, tour the house - everyday - don't stop until the cat stops. If an owner is unwilling to exercise, then the pet won't get exercise.

Calories in a pet's diet can be reduced by feeding a lower calorie diet or smaller portions of your pet's regular diet. Your pet will tell you whether higher volume or concentrated calories are preferred. However, owners should realize that low-cal diets often have more fiber and may increase the quantity of feces produced. Dogs may not be able to hold it all day like they could with their lower fiber diet. Cats are finicky eaters and often refuse diet food. Owners of cats should be careful not to let their cat starve or lose weight too fast.

The vet emphasized that a pet's health is the owner's responsibility. "Pets don't choose what or how much to eat. Owners dictate the animal's diet and how much they get. People food, table scraps, and fast-food take-away should not be options. There are dietary treats that are good for pets that will also satisfy the owner's need to indulge the pet."

- Sent in by member Lee Gin Ling -