Stop Feeding Your Pet to Death

(photo by: Jasmine Thomas via Prana Canine)

Stop loving your pet to death with food. Our pets depend on us for meeting most of their basic needs. It's no secret that feeding a pet strengthens the bond between human and animal. Feeding a pet in excess is doing a disservice to the pet even if your pet appears to be enjoying it, begging for more food, or insatiable.  

Overweight dogs and cats have shorter life spans whether it be due to the development of a terminal condition or a condition that owners are not able to or willing to treat.  

I would say that about 60% of the pets I see are overweight. I am starting to see these overweight pets at younger and younger ages. 9/10 times when I inform pet owners that their pets are overweight they laugh and think it's a funny joke. (I however find zero humor in the situation.)

Overweight dogs are predisposed to: arthritis and orthopedic injury, endocrine diseases like Cushing's and Diabetes, gastrointestinal sensitivities and cancer. It decreases their quality of life significantly in other ways as well because being overweight leads to exercise intolerance, difficulty with thermoregulation, and overall lethargy. 

Overweight cats are predisposed to: diabetes, arthritis, urinary obstruction (males), constipation/obstipation, cancer, and matted hair coats due to inability to appropriately groom themselves.

I see rescue dogs and cats all the time, that were skin and bones the day I first meet them and months down the road are so overweight they can barely walk. No matter how many times I tell the owner that overfeeding has severe consequences and they need to feed multiple small, precise meals a day. There is absolutely nothing about this "transformation" that is worth being celebrated, over correction is resulting in a state as dangerous as starvation. Going from starvation to insulin resistance, inability to walk, or heart disease is not an accomplishment to be celebrated. Stop loving your pets with food. Love your pets by providing them with the food they need, stimulating activities (mental and physical), and using preventative care (which includes appropriate diet!) to prevent disease. Love your pets by paying attention to them and seeking care before problems arise, if your pet suddenly starts to gain weight but you haven't changed anything about how you're feeding or their activity level then let your vet know. 

There is a distinct difference in my patients that have been at an ideal weight most of their lives and those that have been overweight for the majority of their lives in how well they age. Pets with an ideal body weight for most of their lives are less likely to need long term medication for arthritis, screening for endocrine diseases, or changes in routine like decreasing length of a walk to accommodate their needs.   

People often get frustrated with me when I tell them that their pet needs to be on a diet, whether that be a decrease in feeding portion or type of food. Everyone is after a quick fix and I'd be a millionaire if I had a dime for every time someone has told me "they just whine and beg for food if I decrease their feeding portion". My counter argument: are you sure your pet doesn't have some other need that is not being met? Maybe they are bored or don't have enough enrichment but have learned that if they cry or beg they will get food. Maybe they need to go outside. Maybe they truly want more food- but just because they want it, doesn't mean it's good for them. Much like children asking for multiple snacks throughout the day, dogs and cats will do that and continue to do so if they're rewarded for their efforts. That's why it is important for you to be aware of how many calories your pet should consume and work to stay within that number. You may have to cut back on meal portions to account for treats. 

Talk to your veterinarian about a personalized feeding plan for your pet.  Your veterinarian does not want your pet to be deprived of treats, using treats strengthens the bond between pet and owner-it simply comes down to accounting for calories and amount of activity.  Also if your vet recommends a prescription diet, hear them out before deciding it isn't worth the money. Diet alone is a key factor in the health and longevity of our pets.