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SALT LAKE CITY -- We often talk about how many people are overweight in the U.S. But the obesity problem is also prevalent in pets.
Some pet owners can see it readily while others may not even recognize the problem.
Angus is a 4-year-old English Bulldog. His owner, Mike Schmauch, said, "Eating and being petted are his favorite things."
In fact, Angus likes to eat so much that he's 18 pounds overweight. "The doctor called him fat, but we try to avoid that," Schmauch said. "He's just calorically challenged, I think."
Dr. Rick Campbell, a veterinarian at Willow Creek Pet Center, said, "We see so many heavy pets. In fact, it's a rare occasion when I see a normal weight on a pet. That's how bad it is."
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Respiratory problems
- Digestive problems
- Walking problems
Campbell says 60 to 70 percent of pets are overweight.
"Our problem is we give them too much, no portion control, and we don't couple that with an adequate amount of exercise," he explained.
It's not just a dog problem. Cats are packing on the pounds, too. Max weighs double what he should.
Just like humans, pets experience a large range of health problems because of weight.
"Their joints will give out on them because the joints weren't designed to carry all that weight," Campbell explained.
They can also get diabetes and heart, respiratory and digestive problems. Additionally, 24 percent of obese pets have trouble walking.
I thought my dog Chewy looked pretty normal at 36 pounds. There's an easy way to tell if your animal is overweight.
"Take both hands on each side of the chest. Try to go like this and ask yourself, can I feel any ribs?" Campbell suggested.
I could feel them -- slightly. Chewy was a few pounds overweight. It may not sound like much, but it actually is. Take it from the Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney, whose dog Winky was 2 pounds overweight.
"Two pounds on my Boston Terrier is like a woman my size being 20 pounds overweight," she said. "So, it's a big difference."
Alison put Winky on a diet. So did Angus' owners.
"It's going to take him awhile to get used to dieting," Mike Schmauch said. "He thinks he's wonderful just the way he is."
So what do you do if your pet is overweight?
- Exercise
The first thing you want to do is make sure he or she is getting exercise. Walk the dog daily and be creative for your cat. - Reduce calories
When it comes to food, reduce their calorie intake. Use the lower end of the appropriate range given on a bag of pet food. You can also buy pre-measured food kits that contain single servings of food and treats. Treats are still allowed, but for dogs it's a good idea to switch to zero-calorie treats like carrots or cucumbers. Many dogs love them. - Medication
If your pet is so obese he can't exercise, you can put him on an appetite suppressant medicine.
A normal weight can increase a pet's lifespan by up to 3 years.
E-mail: tpapanikolas@ksl.com
