Pet
Food
Review

Weight Watchers for Pets?

Government statistics show that human obesity has reached crisis point, with around two-thirds of people living in Britain either overweight or obese. The problem extends to our pets, one in three household pets is now overweight, which equates to a staggering seven million animals.

Despite this weighty reality, research released today by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association
(PFMA) reveals that an alarming eight out of 10 dog, cat and rabbit owners believe that their pet
is just the right weight, although when asked which of a series of pictures most closely resembled their pet, only 33% of dog owners and 23% of cat owners chose the ‘normal weight’ picture.

The independent research, conducted by TNS, surveyed over 2,100 households and suggests that nine out of 10 pet owners are not that concerned about their pet’s weight. Most revealing was pet owners’ fundamental misunderstanding about how to manage their pet’s weight. Only a third of cat and dog owners who thought their pet was overweight believed they could do ‘a lot’ about their pet’s weight, but a shocking 62% of dog and 72% of cat owners believed they could personally either do nothing, or a little about their pet’s weight.

Of those who thought that their dog, cat or rabbit was overweight, a third (34%) of owners admitted that the reason their pet needed to lose weight was because they fed them too many treats and 11% said that they overfed their pets at mealtimes. A lack of exercise was also cited by 36% of dog, cat and rabbit owners as a cause of their pet’s weight problem.

Michael Bellingham, Chief Executive of the PFMA, the principal trade body representing the UK pet food industry, said: “Pet obesity has a serious, and sometimes fatal, impact on the health and welfare of our pets. The figures are alarming and the problem won’t go away without a fundamental shift in owners’ attitude to feeding their pets. It is also worrying that most owners are not aware of the problem, because they are unable to recognise a fat pet in the first place.

Perceptions of what is the correct size are seriously out of kilter with reality.

”Worryingly, only a quarter (25%) of those surveyed said that they had ever sought advice on whether any of their pets were overweight, and when owners were asked how they fed their pets and in particular how they decide on the volume of food they give them, the results were disturbing: 19%, 28%, 21% of dog, cat and rabbit owners admitted using methods of trial and error, indicating a sole reliance on pets’ appetite to determine optimum food portions, while only (24%, 12%, 19%) of owners referred to manufacturers advice on pet food labels and less than a quarter (19%, 15%, 22%) sought advice from vets.

Bellingham continued: “Thankfully, there is a solution and we have developed a tool to help owners identify the correct condition of their pet, along with steps to take if a problem exists. Prevention is at the heart of our awareness campaign. Feeding a good diet, and to the correct amount, is fundamental. And so is exercise. We know that a pet fed to its right condition will lead a longer and healthier life. Not only that, getting active with your pet can help pet owners achieve the same for themselves.

A quick test to see if your dog is overweight!
	VERY THIN Easily visible ribs, lower back and pelvic bones. No visible covering of fat, obvious waist and abdominal tuck. Absence of any muscle mass.		OVERWEIGHT Ribs felt but with an excess covering of fat. Waist still observed from above but not as prominent. Abdominal tuck may be absent.
	THIN Easily felt ribs, minimum covering of fat, waist easily noted when viewed from above and visible abdominal tuck.		OBESE Ribs not easily felt under a large covering of fat. Waist and abdominal tuck not discernible. Fat deposits on lower back and base of tail. May observe signs of obvious abdominal distension.
	IDEAL Ribs felt but without excess fat covering, waist noted behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from the side.

Fat is not healthy!

If your pet is overweight then you need to do something about it - not doing something is tantamount to cruelty!

Check out the very useful fact sheet from Vitalpet (pdf) which has an action plan for you to follow. It has a common sense approach inclusing the warning that 'The most important factors in any weight loss programme are consistency and commitment. Your pet’s whole lifestyle often needs changing, and these changes need to be adhered to in order to make them effective.'

Some veterinarians recommend the following: Record an accurate pre-diet weight. Reduce by one-third your pet’s total daily ration previously given. Include in this total all treats, snacks, or left-overs if you insist on continuing to provide these. Reweigh the pet in 2 weeks. (Remember if the pet begs for food, that's a good sign! But don’t give in.)

If you find upon weighing your pet after two weeks that it has lost even a little weight, you’re on the right track; keep up this schedule! If no weight loss is evident, again reduce by one-third the amount being fed. Weigh the pet again in two weeks.

Depending upon the results either keep feeding this amount or reduce again by one-third the total amount being fed. If you persist a good outcome is certain. Many veterinarians believe you should not feed the "Reduced Calorie" or "Lite Diets" or "Senior Diets"! These diets have very restricted fat levels to reduce the calories but by necessity have increased the carbohydrate percentages. This increased carbohydrate stimulates additional Insulin secretion which tells the body to store unused calories as fat! There are a multitude of overweight dogs that have actually gained weight on those "Reduced Calorie" weight loss diets.

It is also quite important to get everyone’s cooperation in restricting the pet’s intake. There is usually someone in the household who feels sorry for the dieting pet and surreptitiously provides "just a little" something extra. More helpful would it be for the person to take the pet for a walk or a run to burn off a few calories.