Top 5 Reasons Why Pet Obesity Should Not Be Ignored
You love those chubby cheeks of your pet; moreover, you also like to feed them wholeheartedly without the concern for their body weight. Wait….and ponder upon…
Are you doing it right?
The Association of Pet Obesity Prevention states that 57.6% of cats and 52.6% of dogs in the US are obese. Additionally, the increased rate of footfall of pet parents in vet offices due to obese pets’ severe medical conditions is a serious matter. Most of these diseases are associated with obesity. According to veterinarians, extra amount of fat create complications in animals and are at core for grave health issues.
Nowadays, stout kitties and portly doggies are normal in most of the families in America. Heavier pets are vulnerable to weight-related disorders and are likely to face critical health conditions. Thence, shedding those few pounds is necessary for your pet for his/her healthy and long lasting life. Still, if you are not firm to help your Fido or Lucy lose weight, carry on knowing about some serious consequences obesity can lead to.
Arthritis
This medical problem arises due to various reasons but obesity plays a main role for arthritis in dogs and cats. Both large and small breeds of dogs face arthritis, but recently cats are seen more crippling due to this problem. Cat and dog arthritis is the serious problem not to be ignored. Surprisingly, only the few owners find symptoms of joint degenerative disease in pets. You may love your chubby pet and like her chubbiness, but remember those extra two or three pounds are heavy on her tiny joints creating pressure and stress on them. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can help your pet prevent this joint disease by controlling those additional pounds to build up.
High Blood Pressure
Like humans, pets do suffer from same serious diseases. High blood pressure is highly overlooked by most of the pet parents. This ignored disease is called as silent killer, as it does not show any serious symptoms until it’s too late. If your pet has put on some extra pounds, just get her blood pressure checked. A sudden increase in blood pressure can lead to heart attack, brain stroke, sudden blindness or even kidney failure. Keeping your pet on low-diet food, weight loss, and providing low-sodium feed, can help you keep his blood pressure in control.
Diabetes
Over the past few years, more number of felines has been diagnosed with diabetes compared to other pets. With millions of people suffering from diabetes, chubby pets are no exceptions. Most veterinarians are concerned about this disease due to its ill effects on dogs and cats. More seriously is the condition that arises in dogs when they become insulin resistance (insulin is the medication given for diabetic treatment). This sugary disease strikes mostly obese pets. Controlling your pet’s weight and keeping their blood sugar levels in control help them to live longer and stay healthy.
Cancer
Excess fat is the serious matter as it leads to several types of cancers in animals. According to the research by The National Cancer Institute, physical inactivity and obesity cause many cancers in humans and the same can be implied to dogs and cats. Extra pounds increase the risk of cancer in pets and can be fatal at times. Reducing weight and providing healthy food keep your pet away from this deadly disease.
Decreased Life Expectancy
Heavy weight body is a storehouse of many diseases. Eventually, this decreases number of years in your pet’s life. Normally, pet owners over feed their pets, which lead to obesity. Less food adds more number of years compared to feeding dogs with heavy meals. According to a study, dogs fed with low food have lower medical problems and remained more active in the old age. To help pet live longer, you can feed them less food according to their basic body requirements, but not too less that they may starve.
Well, what are you thinking now? Just get on the track take your pet for a walk or exercise, provide good food low in calories and help him to lose weight for a healthy lifestyle. Do share with us how you’re keeping your pet obese-free.