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Porky
Pets Need Love, Not Pills
Article By: Glenn Redmond
The Pet Industry rakes in 50 billion a year in North
America alone. Gucci coats, designer beds and even fake
testicles for those owners who just can't bear the post
neutering look.
It all seems a bit much to me. I know Fido does not
have a more peaceful nap because the tag Ralph Lauren
appears on his bed. But hey, live and let live. Who am
I to criticize the mania?
Well, that attitude took a big hit this week when I
learned of a diet pill for pets geared to address the
weight gain epidemic. Now, come on people. Have we all
lost our minds?
Before you go out to pad the drug company's pockets,
I'd suggest you try this revolutionary idea. Feed your
pet less!!
Dogs and cats live by this motto: If you feed me, I
will eat. They are not vain and will not monitor their
own food intake, concerned that the clothes in the closet
are getting a little tight. They do not overeat to suppress
the emotional baggage of an over protective mother. They
eat because we give it to them. Period. The reason for
this can be found in our pet's wild ancestry.
Cats and dogs evolved as binge eaters, eating as much
as they could in one sitting while it was available. This
genetic imprinting has not waned with domestication, so
they eat as much as we offer. As well, animals are hard-wired
for longer durations of exercise than most receive. The
body responds to this deficiency by lowering metabolic
rates. You do not need to be a mathematician to compute
the results of too many calories and slower metabolism.
Societal Norms
Obesity is a massive problem in our over-indulgent society.
The concept of food as fuel has somehow been lost and
we routinely cook up massive feasts with enough leftovers
to feed a small army. I will devour a large plate of my
mother's tasty efforts with the refusal of seconds yielding
the response of "What, you didn't like it?"
We carry this view over to our pet population, unable
to resist those sad puppy dog eyes begging for food, not
realizing that this act of love can shorten our pet's
lifespan. Complicating matters is the lack of knowledge
of what an animal's healthy weight should be. Do this
simple test to determine where your pet ranks.
Look at your pet from an overhead position. You should
see an hour glass shape without plumpness in the abdomen
or fat padding the hips, neck or chest. If your pet turns
slightly, you should be able to see the outline of the
ribcage just under a thin layer of fat and skin. If not,
your pet should probably shed a few pounds.
Costs of Obesity
Roughly 40% of all North American pets are obese, making
it the number 1 nutritional disorder seen by veterinarians
today. In 2006, Pet Insurance companies paid out 14 million
in claims to disorders linked to excessive poundage. The
following conditions are not a comprehensive list by any
means, but they are most common.
1) Orthopedic Problems. The pressure on bones and ligaments
created by too much weight eventually begins to take a
toll. An overworked structure makes pets more susceptible
to injury even during light activity. Dogs with mild hip
dysplasia that could have been controlled by diet and
exercise will see their active lives cut in half.
2) Hormonal Issues. Pets that carry a spare tire are
far more susceptible to diabetes, underactive thyroid,
and Cushings disease, a form of animal Alzheimer's.
3) High Blood Pressure. Pets do not have concerns of
mortgage payments, time restraints, and job pressures
that often make our blood boil. However, they are no different
than we are in escaping the risks of heart and other organ
damage associated with high blood pressure caused by obesity.
4) Breathing Difficulties. Extra weight taxes the respiratory
system to the max, making exercise difficult, continuing
the cycle of inactivity and weight gain.
Everyday we are bombarded with ads for diet pills and
weight loss formulas. Each year a new book comes out touting
low carb, low fat or some other combination of foods guaranteed
to shed the pounds. We seem to have an aversion to proper
eating and exercise, looking for shortcuts to keep us
thin. Isn't it unfair to project this insanity onto our
beloved pets?
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