Animals

Dogs on Diets: Combating an Animal Obesity Epidemic

by Stephanie Feldstein

category: Responsible Pet Ownership

Published November 28, 2009 @ 02:00PM PT

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There’s a saying that goes “If your dog is fat, you’re not getting enough exercise.” That may be true, but unless your dog has her own credit card and the pizza guy on speed dial, there are usually other factors involved.

As the resident human, I’m the one who buys the pet food in the house. I also store it someplace safe from greedy snouts and measure it out twice a day. If my pets gain weight, it’s not like they were out stress eating or sneaking into the fridge in the middle of the night. If there’s a medical cause, such as hypothyroidism, then it’s up to me to arrange a trip to the vet to find out how to take care of it.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that half of the dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This epidemic is putting our pets at risk for many of the same problems that the human epidemic causes, including heart disease, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis, and diabetes.

It's not like people with fat pets are trying to make their animals unhealthy. Food is an easy way to show love and it comes with the instant gratification of your pet’s attention and satisfaction. But too many people are killing their pets with love. Pet diet foods, like 100 Calorie Pack dog treats, don’t exist because Fido needs help with portion control. Dogs have never been known for their will power, but as long as we’ve taken responsibility for their care, we’re monitoring their food intake. Excess treats should be replaced by playtime and attention. They need that extra exercise as much as we do. Sure, it takes a lot more time to go for a walk or drive to explore a new park than it does to reach for the cookie jar, but that’s part of the commitment. Positive training (rewards don’t have to be food!) shouldn’t be underestimated as a form of entertainment and bonding with your dog or cat, too.

There’s so much more to life than food. As a human with access to restaurants and grocery stores, that can be hard to remember and even harder to live by. But it shouldn’t be so hard with our pets. After all, we don’t face social pressure and the temptation of cravings when making food decisions for them. You have to get past those pleading eyes, but it’s worth it for their health.

Photo credit: i eated a cookie