Dubai, UAE, October 13, 2018:  Obesity is a major health concern for today’s pet cats and dogs, and successful weight management can save your furry friend’s life. However, the weight loss process can be extremely challenging, especially for the most obese animals (and their loving owners). With the right diet, and appropriate exercise, however, you can quickly improve your pet’s quality of life and give them a much better chance of living a longer and happier life.

 

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention pets are increasingly being diagnosed with clinical obesity, which is far worse than being just a little bit overweight.  A 2017 survey conducted by this organisation showed that 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats were classified as obese or overweight by their veterinarians.

 

If your dog or cat is overweight, they can develop all kinds of health problems, such as painful arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulty, diabetes and even certain types of cancer. 

 

The biggest obstacle is that most pet owners find it difficult to identify when their pet is overweight, and don’t notice the subtle changes as their pet moves from slightly overweight to dangerously obese.  Most people aren’t sure what their pet’s ideal weight should be and also don’t know how to spot the difference between healthy and obese. 

 

The best advice is to always have your pet weighed when you visit your vet, but owners should also make a habit of regularly checking their pet’s health through routine observations at home.

 

 

First, you should be able to easily feel – and count – your pet’s ribs when you lightly run your fingers across the side. Ribs shouldn’t be distinctly visible (that can be a sign of malnourishment), but you should easily be able to feel them when you stroke the animal’s side.

 

Next, when you look down on your pet from above, you should see an hourglass figure or an indentation near the midsection. There should be a clear definition where the rib cage tapers toward the middle. If your pet looks like a blimp from above, it’s packing on extra weight. All breeds have different shapes, and this can make it tricky, but there should still be a clear curve inward at the middle – if your pet’s curves only expand outward, it’s time for a weigh-in at the vet.

 

Finally, when you observe your pet from the side as it stands, you should see a slight tuck or upward slope of the tummy. If the abdomen hangs low and drags near the ground that indicates the most dangerous and biologically active form of fat - abdominal fat - is present.  This can indicate a very serious stage of obesity.

 

In summary, the below points can all indicate that your pet is unhappily overweight and that it is time for an intervention:

 

Weight problems in pets are common today, and can be successfully managed through changes in food or a nutrition program. Combining a change in nutrition with increased exercise is the most effective way of achieving a healthy weight.

 

And as difficult as it is, remember that you’re not helping your pet when you give them extra snacks or special treats from your own kitchen. It might feel like you’re only giving them a little bit, but it all adds up. And at the end of the day you are harming your pet rather than spoiling them.

 

 

Just like humans, pets need their exercise. The outdoor lifestyle is not easily come by in the heat of the UAE’s scorching heat, so you need to be even more cautious in how your pet spends summer months indoors. Choosing the right pet food is critical, but ensuring they remain active plays a big role in keeping your animals healthy.

 

And it’s not that difficult – in most cases pets don’t require as much exercise as humans. By adding a little play time to their daily routine, you can easily ensure your pets stay mobile and burn off excess energy, instead of converting it into weight.

 

Your pet’s nutrition plays an important role in their overall health and well-being. Balanced nutrition is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle. Eating too much pet food, snacks or human food will cause your pets to gain weight, and this increases the risk of conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and breathing problems.

 

A low-fat and low-calorie food is essential in helping your pet lose weight and stay fit. Overweight pets tend to have less energy, which leads to more weight gain and it’s up to owners to break this cycle. Fibre is also a key ingredient as it helps your pet eat less, but ensure they feel full for longer.

 

Once your pet has been overweight, they may be more prone to weight gain in the future and should have an ongoing weight-management plan based on good nutrition, exercise and regular check-ups / weigh-ins.

 

Choose super premium Light pet food to maintain a healthy weight and also a veterinarian developed diet for pets with Obesity / Diabetes issues.

 

The calories cats and dogs need to consume daily to maintain their weight is far less people need. Healthy adult people generally should consume 2,000-2,500 calories per day. In comparison, according to the standard formula used to calculate the daily caloric needs of pets, an average 22.7kg (50lbs), adult neutered dog typically needs just under 1,000 calories daily. An average 4.5kg (10lbs), adult neutered cat needs around 220 calories each day.

 

In general terms, a dog can safely lose 1 to 3-percent of its body weight and cats 0.5 to 2-percent per month. Many dogs can lose 3 to 5-percent and most cats should aim for about a 220 grams (0.5lbs) per month.

 

The most important decision you make each day about your pet’s health is what you choose to feed them. Choose wisely; your pet’s life depends on it. The few minutes you spend on diet and weight could well be the difference between two additional years of high-quality life or a shortened, suffering final stage of life.

 

 

To recap, pet owners need to follow the below guidelines to help their pets stay healthy.

And finally, remember that your vet should be your first stop for accurate diagnosis and treatment options.