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Pet Obesity Month: A call to action for healthier, happier pets

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Obesity

Pet Obesity Month: A call to action for healthier, happier pets

It’s Pet Obesity Month, making it the perfect time to reassess your pet’s health and nutrition.  Dr Karien Brink, Veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says that pet obesity is the number one health risk for pets.  She notes that 90% of pet parents are unaware that their pets are overweight and with more than 50% of pets affected, this is a significant risk to their health and well-being.

How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Dr Brink suggests asking yourselves these three questions:

  1. Does your pet struggle to catch their breath when going for a walk or climbing the stairs?
  2. Have they become noticeably less active and eager to play?
  3. Are they looking a little bit rounder – their ribs are difficult to feel, they have a broader back, a severe abdominal bulge, and/or fat deposits around their neck and tail?

“We know pets who are overweight are less happy, live shorter lives, and are at a higher risk of developing arthritis, urinary conditions, skin problems, heart disease, and cancer,” says Dr Brink. “Your pet does not have to be obese to be at risk of these health concerns. Carrying just an extra kilogram or two can affect your pet.”

If you think your pet may be overweight, Dr Brink recommends visiting your vet for an assessment.  Your vet can recommend the best plan if your pet needs to shed a few kilos.  Dr Brink shares the below tips for pet parents who are embarking on their pet’s weight management journey:

  • Keep a check on treats – extra treats and human food can quickly produce additional calories and kilos. If you want to treat your pet, think of alternatives rather than food, such as a new toy, extra playtime, snuggles, and games.
  • Get active – play a game of catch with your dog in the park or garden, to keep your dog moving.  They will also love quality time.
  • Take a walk – a stroll around the neighbourhood or park is a great way to keep your dog moving and, if you can, include some obstacles and different terrains, to challenge your dog a little more.
  • Engage with your cat – boxes, pet tunnels, and a crumpled piece of paper are activities that will provide fun and exercise for your cat.
  • Discuss diet with your vet – Whether your pet needs to lose weight or maintain a healthy one, ask your vet for the best-suited food options.  Studies have shown that 88% of pets lost weight in just two months, with a reduction in body fat of up to 28% when being fed Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic or Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility.   
  • Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack – to prevent overfeeding, weigh your pet’s food, place it in the Hill’s feeding cup, and cut the cup to the correct level. Alternatively, use a weight measuring cup.  This helps to ensure that whoever is feeding your pet is giving the right amount of food each time.

Obesity

Dr Brink says, “Calorie counting and reducing portion sizes is not sustainable and inevitably your pet will put on weight they have lost.  Instead, pet parents should feed a food that encourages fat burning instead of fat storing, helping pets lose weight effectively and keep it off.”   

Pet Obesity Month serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining our pet’s weight.  Dr Brink concludes, “By making informed choices about nutrition and exercise, our pets can live a longer and healthier life – enjoying it to the fullest.”

For more information visit the Hill’s website

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Barrel shape vs lean – What’s the difference?

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shape

Barrel shape vs lean – What’s the difference?

We all know that there is a visible difference between Barrel chested and lean bulldogs. However, people also tend to refer to overweight bulldogs as barrel shaped. It is indeed healthier for your bulldog or Frenchie to “have a waist”, it prevents extra strain on the back, hips and knees if your dog is kept at a healthy weight. However, having a barrel-chested dog doesn’t refer to the weight on your dog’s waist.

So, what does this mean? Let’s explore the differences.

shape

A barrel-chested dog has a distinctive appearance characterized by a wide chest that resembles the shape of a barrel.

These dogs typically have deep, wide, rounded rib cages and broad, rounded shoulders. The bottom of their chest usually aligns with or is slightly above their front elbows.

These dogs have a heavier, muscular appearance due to their broader rib cage. Other barrel-chested breeds may include Pugs, Dachshunds, Boxers, Pitbulls etc. Exercise caution with these breeds to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity.

Lean-bodied bulldogs have a more streamlined appearance, with well-defined muscle tone and minimal excess fat, these dogs are often referred to as having a waist. Unfortunately, we are so used to the heavier stocky, “cute” bulldogs that the reaction to these lean dogs is often “this dog is too skinny”.

shape

There is a big difference between a healthy lean dog and an underweight dog.

As you can see in this photo, there is a slight waist between the rear and the ribcage. There are no visible ribs, you can even see the muscles in the legs.

Having a bulldog at this weight is far better for them health wise.

Without the excess weight around their middle, they do not have unnecessary strain on their backs, hips and knees, and hearts. This dog is not underweight. This dog is in great condition and will be far more mobile and comfortable than an overweight dog.

Barrel-chested or lean, we love them all. It is our responsibility to make sure we take proper care of their health, bodies and minds.

Source: English & French Bulldog Rescue SA

Cute or not so cute?

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Cute or not so cute?The bulldog is known for three things – their folds, their charming personalities and well, those round little tummies.
But when is a round tummy an obese tummy?

Bulldogs are one of the breeds that are prone to obesity. They are notorious eaters, and those big, beautiful eyes can make it so hard not to give them that extra treat. However, Obesity is especially detrimental for brachycephalic dogs, due to their restricted airways and skeletal structure that already makes breathing a hard task. Excess fat deposits in the chest and airways can further restrict their breathing. It puts a lot of  pressure on the lungs, which already takes strain. This also makes them prone to respiratory disease.

How do you know your dog is Obese? This is probably one of the first things your vet will point out to you. The bulldog naturally has a compact stocky shape. An obese bulldog has a barrel shape, there is no defined waist. Their waist should always be narrower than their hips, the waist visible but ribs not visible. If your bulldog looks like a tightly packed little sausage, it may be time to talk to your vet on how to bring that weight down.

As it is, a fit bulldog can not scratch like another lean breed would. They simply can not bend and reach everywhere. However, if your bulldog struggles to scratch his own ears, or can’t use his teeth to reach certain parts of the body that should be reachable – he may need to lose a little weight.

Most bulldogs can’t exercise more than a short walk a day. The imbalance between diet and lack of sufficient exercise is the main cause of obesity in Bulldogs. High–calorie food and frequent treats also contribute to their weight gain. Sometimes the best thing to do when those big puppy eyes look your way is to give them a good cuddle, tell them you love them and leave those treats in the cupboard.

Keeping your bulldog lean and healthy may make a difference in the lifespan of your dog, the Bulldog is a breed who already has a shorter lifespan than most breeds due to the way they are bred, the flat little faces and stocky bodies we love, means they don’t live that long. Being obese can shorten your dog’s life by one third. obesity is linked to a whole raft of health problems including arthritis, chronic kidney disease, bladder/urinary tract disease, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Source: English & French Bulldog Rescue SA

When puppy fat becomes a problem

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When puppy fat becomes a problem

Excess weight in pets can decrease their life expectancy by up to two-and-a-half-years. Picture: Supplied

You may think your dog has a little “puppy fat” or that your cuddly cat is just the cutest thing, but for pets, even carrying a little extra weight can have huge health implications. 

It’s important to be aware of your pet’s weight, as proper growth and weight can help prevent many diseases and disorders associated with obesity, as well as growth-related skeletal disease – extending their lives, making them more comfortable, and delivering massive savings on veterinary bills.

Worldwide, obesity is a massive health problem for humans

According to the World Health Organisation, 39 percent of adults are overweight. In South Africa some studies indicate that almost 70 percent of women and 39 percent of men are overweight or obese. Sadly this trend extends to our pets too – South African vets say that more than 50 percent of pets they treat are overweight or obese.

Love is blind

9 out of 10 pet parents of overweight pets mistakenly identify their pet’s weight as normal. This is widely referred to as the “Fat Gap” and is a key factor in the pet obesity epidemic. Pet obesity is a serious health risk and sadly 92% of pet parents don’t see it that way. 30 percent of pet parents don’t check their pet’s weight, but the reality is that they just don’t see that their pets are overweight.

Pet obesity is the number one health risk pets face

Excess weight in pets can decrease their life expectancy by up to two-and-a-half-years, putting them at a higher risk of disease. Pet obesity has been linked to more than 20 ailments, including arthritis, urinary conditions, skin problems, heart disease and cancer. 

“If you think fat pets are happier, think again – overweight pets have been shown to be less happy,” says Dr Guy Fyvie, nutritional advisor for Hill’s Pet Nutrition South Africa.

Visible signs that your pet may be overweight include not being able to feel their ribs anymore; loss of a discernible waist; pads of fat over their hips and base of their tail; a ‘waddle’ rather than a ‘walk’; difficulty moving; overheating; shortness of breath and bad temper.

Pet parents’ behaviour often plays a major role in their animals being overweight “Treating our loved ones with food is a way we can show them how much we love them. It’s part of our culture and tradition,” says Carla Bath, marketing manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition South Africa. 

“But that shared stick of dry wors reflects the emotional part that makes obesity a complex condition that’s tough to beat.”

The right food can help

Sticking to a diet is difficult; much like it is for humans. But cutting your pet’s portion sizes or restricting calories is not going to help. Rather feed your pet a food like Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic, based on the science of nutrigenomics, that’s ignites the metabolism of your overweight pet to work like that of a lean pet.

Source: IOL

 

 

Organic Pet Food

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Organic Pet Food - image

Nature appears to be leaving science in its wake as people increasingly place their faith in organic pet food made in a kitchen over those made in a laboratory. Just as we scrutinise the safety and origin of the foods we consume, don’t our four-legged friends deserve the same consideration?

What is ‘Organic’ Food?

Organic pet foods are free from any artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives or any contact with pesticides. Furthermore, they are prepared from meat and meat by-products that do not comprise antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic foods are made with minimal, if any, fillers and some are even enriched with antioxidants to promote your pet’s wellbeing. Animal sources used in the production of organic food must be allowed to live free range, thereby moving around freely outdoors.

Benefits of Organic Pet Food

  • Reduces Allergies and Ailments

Artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives, chemical additives and pesticides found in conventional pet food could be the root of all evil concerning your fur baby’s allergies. Allergies triggered by the diverse chemical additives in various pet foods and treats can result in allergic reactions that could range from mild to potentially critical. As organic pet foods don’t contain these abovementioned ingredients and are made from quality grain and protein sources, they stand to be especially nutritious, thereby strengthening your pet’s immune system, so it’s better fortified to fight infections and reduce their overall allergic responses.

  • Weight Control

You’re better able to control your pet’s weight by ensuring they get all the essential nutrients in one organic meal. They feel more satiated consuming smaller quantities of a higher quality meal that provides them with optimal energy and helps them keep those extra kilos at bay.

  • Reduces Digestive Issues

Organic food is far more palatable and digestive than conventional pet food because it doesn’t contain artificial ingredients, toxic chemicals and bulk fillers. Their digestive tract is better able to metabolise the superior forms of proteins and grains, thereby enabling your furry pal to eliminate less, with more predictability as well as more solid and less smelly excretions.

  • Improves Overall Health and Immunity

Because organic pet food is easier to digest than conventional pet food, your pet can efficiently absorb, rather than eliminate, the required nutrients, thereby supporting a healthy immune system to keep costly infections and illnesses at bay.

  • Empowers your pet to live their best life

Just like humans, what our pets eat has direct repercussions on what they look and feel like. Organic pet food empowers our four-legged family members to embrace a fuller, more energetic, healthier and happier life. With a healthy body weight, more energy to play, walk and run, along with a fortified immune system leading to reduced incidences of illness, an organic diet can extend their life expectancy and enhance your pet’s quality of life for years to follow.

Downsides to Organic Pet Food

  • The extent of how much healthier organic pet food is than high-quality commercial food is still inconclusive. Always consult with your veterinarian concerning your pet’s individual nutritional requirements.
  • Organic pet foods maybe challenging to source as only specialised pet stores or health shops may stock it.
  • Being relatively new to the market, you may struggle to find a suitable fit of organic food to suit your pet’s personal preferences.
  • Lastly, as with everything, there’s a cost consideration. Organic foods are heftier in price than commercial pet foods but some vow that the additional pennies spent are well worth it.

Assessing the Organic Pet Food Options

If the initial ingredients on the food packet read carbohydrates and fillers, you can be confident that the product content is highly processed and subsequently unhealthy. Also keep in mind that organic food doesn’t automatically equate to nutritionally healthy. Some organic foods are still high in sugar and contain other ingredients that may be difficult for your pet to digest so try to avoid these products. Despite all the health benefits, remember that organic treats do contain energy that may convert into weight gain and other health issues if given in excess, so moderation is key!

Specific qualities of food you should inspect prior to purchasing and feeding your furry loved-one:

  • Comparatively low cereal or grain content
  • Good balance of vitamins and nutrients
  • High meat content
  • Least amount of processed constituents
  • Label on the packet or tin informing you that the pet food concerned forms part of a complete diet

Always research the brands you purchase to check whether they have been accredited by a certification body and consult your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet. Visiting an organic brand’s website will also give you a clearer idea of what you and your pet can expect from them.

Written for inFURmation
by Taliah Williamson