Is Your Pet Obese?

When I got my first cat (Delilah), I gave her treats all the time. She looked normal to me until I took in a stray and noticed that lack of stomach bulge he had. At the vet, Delilah weighed 11 pounds, which they said wasn't overweight yet.... but they advised me to "maybe lay off on the treats."

I never gave the newest cat as many treats as I did when I got Delilah. As a result, he is trim and looks healthy. The comparison was really eye-opening for me as to how high in fat pet treats can be! Luckily, the addition of the second cat increased Delilah's activity level too, which has helped her lose a pound or so - getting her back to a less cautionary weight.

Pet obesity isn't harped on as much as human obesity, but it's still important to think about. Thanks, Savvy!

I am curious: Do you think it is a form of animal abuse if you let your pet become overweight?

Yes...
That applies to children too!
Del
( now gimme some tuna else I'l yowl mercilessly all day...yowllllllll...yowlllllll...yowllllll)

Jaxy, I believe the argument for abuse is because by creating an obese pet, you are creating the same health problems suffered by obese humans. Why would you want your animal to suffer from arthritis, heart problems, and so on?

I had originally found a photo gallery that is no longer available. It showed photos of obese pets that were unable to walk because they were so large (and while "wheelchairs" have been rigged up for immobile pets there are no "scooters" for obese ones as far as I know). They were fed to that point by their owners. I'm no animal activist but I consider that stupid and yes, cruel...

I was watching the Rachael Ray show last week and I saw them talking about frozen foods and how bad they are for you. They also did a little segment on pet snacks. A bone that looked seemingly healthy (like a day chew bone type snack) packed more than 1,000 calories. But you wouldn't know that because pet food doesn't have nutrition labels.

I would be curious to know if there are people lobbying for nutrition labels to be placed on pet snacks and food. The only thing I can think of when I see an obviously overweight pet and their owner I am like "Seriously, why?" I also think that there was a study done that shows that overweight owners are more likely to have overweight pets. It is a shame.

All the animals in the house are overweight but I can't convince my mother-in-law to stop feeding them. It's about all she has to do during the day. Ship del over and she'll give him all the tuna he wants.

Must be a central European thing: "eat, EAT!"

I don't know if cats will eat them- but with our dogs if they are "still hungry" or need to lose a little weight we feed green beans as the main source for their food- great protein and few calories. Our main advise to our puppy families is feel the ribs, not see the ribs as a gauge of weight.

GA
Del

Hi Ky,

what calcs did you make? while I quite agree that you shouldn't allow your pet to become obese i doubt that if all the pet food in the world were to be turned over to human consumption in famine struck areas that it would make any significant difference to the these poor souls.

Regards

Chas

capblanc

I get your point about the food part but there is more to it than just food and that's were I gave up with my calculations. I had a quick go on the net just to find some figures but gave up after a short while.

It's the medical expenses that come into it as well. I know a retired couple that have two dogs and because of the constant pampering (torture) they need more vet visits than they would if left lean and mean. I estimate the expenses they have are equivalent to having two registered cars in the yard, including fuel and the lot.

With out such loving pet owners veterinarians the world over would have to close their doors. I was told a hundred million times not to exaggerate but what can I do? I think the point I tried to make is clear, never mind the stats.

Maybe some one here can find some figures on the subject. Maybe not, it could be quiet depressing, Ky.

Yeah, it's not my fault, I can't do anyrthing about it, I'll just keep consuming crap I don't need, 'cos the man on the TV says I should. Sod everybody else.....

It's about time we realised it's about quality of life not value of aquired goods...
The daft concepts of constant growth profit and consumption are a plauge on society...we just need enough for a reasonable existence and enough to replace what wears out. The profit is in the paypacket of the workers and the continued existence of the enterprise...it doesn't have to get bigger or make millions.
I'm all right
Jack

It's amazing how just a little carelessness could result in such health problems.

At the beginning of this past summer I moved into an apartment that allowed me to house my snakes. Until that point, they were being cared for by the reptile program in my hometown.

I went down there to retrieve my animals to find that one of my snakes was overweight. (an overweight snake is a strange sight to see)
You'd think it would be difficult to make a snake overweight since they only eat once every other week. But just one extra mouse each feeding did it!

I've been trying to get him back to a normal weight since then, but it is very hard when I can't exactly take him out for a walk.

Very interesting article Savvy!

You're right, it's hard to picture an overweight snake! Good luck with the weight reduction plan. I imagine a controlled diet and more out-of-cage time are about all you can do with a snake?