A veterinary colleague up in Marietta has a sign in his waiting room. It says:
If your dog is overweight, you aren’t getting enough exercise.
Guilty as charged! America seems to be losing the Battle of the Bulge, even among our pets. In fact, many experts believe that obesity is the number one health problem facing American pets. That means cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, you name it. That sounds like bad news.
To make things even more pressing, experts tell us that controlling our pet’s weight is one of the two most important things we can do to help them live longer and healthier lives. (The other thing is daily teeth brushing, but that will be another month’s blog.)
To put things another way, being overweight hurts our pets. It shortens a pet’s lifespan and diminishes quality of life. Being overweight increases the risk for many pet health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes and breathing problems.
So what’s the good news? Pet obesity is something YOU CAN FIX! It’s simple. Eat less. Eat better. Exercise more.
Of course, we all know that “simple” doesn’t mean “easy.” You need an ally, a coach. You need the help of your regular veterinarian. Vets are practically chomping at the bit to have clients raise these questions with them. So call your vet today and ask for an assessment of your pet’s weight and advice on what you may need to do about. If they have a current weight on file, they may be able to answer your questions by phone. If you haven’t seen your vet recently or don’t have one, call today, today, today and make an appointment to learn what steps you can take to help your beloved family member liver a leaner, longer life!
