Obesity is an easily achievable feat when it comes to feeding our pets – it’s a modern-day epidemic sweeping across living rooms and pet beds alike.
These lovable plump animals have mastered the art of ‘puppy-eyes’ that can thaw the hardest of hearts and convince humans to sneak in our leftover dinners or half a bag of treats. They have traded agility for the art of being an immovable object… Either way, it is clear pet obesity is as much a human problem as it is a pet one.
Maybe your dog looks at you when you throw the ball, as though to say, “Do you seriously expect me to chase that?” They waddle instead of walk and pant at the sheer effort of having to move about. Maybe your pet struggles to stand up? This can be a sign of early-onset arthritis and should be managed immediately. Food has become a love language from owner to pet, where we believe food is our way of loving them. But keeping out pet’s waistline nice and narrow, and their activity frequent is more of a quality of life for them. The next time you think “one more treat won’t hurt,” remember more weight can create a lifetime of pain on their joints and can lead to a shortened life.
Fear not! This is not the end for your furry friends. Although some side-effects of obesity cannot be reversed, obesity can; with the right discipline and nutrition plan you can work to creating with your local vet. Significantly reducing treats and handouts can significantly help reduce their weight and ease the pain on their joints. This will give them a better quality of, and prolong their life.
