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Obesity is dubbed as a pet’s number one health problem because it opens your pets to the risk of hundreds of diseases which includes arthritis, diabetes, cancer and so much more, most of which are permanent, deadly and incurable. Studies show that more than half of the population of cats and dogs in the United States are obese.
Dangers of Obesity
Obesity is the accumulation of too much fat in one’s body. This is often caused by a sedentary lifestyle and overeating or eating more than what the body needs. Pets are considered obese when they weigh at least 20% percent more than their ideal weight.
Obesity is associated with a number of serious health conditions, this includes a number of heart problems. Fats can clog your pet’s arteries which causes their hearts to pump harder, this adds excess strain on their hearts and can cause death in the long run. Aside from heart diseases, obesity also opens your pet to risks of diabetes, cancer as well as bone and joint problems because their weight becomes too much for their bones to carry causing arthritis and muscle problems.
Looking at it in another way, obesity can also be a symptom of other underlying health conditions. Obesity can be an indicator of hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease and many more. It is best to consult your veterinarian to know how your pet’s obesity is affecting their health.
Trimming Down the Fat
Before doing anything, it is best to assess your pet’s overall condition. A quick trip to the veterinarian should be the first thing to do in trying to correct your pet’s obesity. From there, follow the instructions from your trusted vets on how to handle your pets.
For those looking to prevent obesity in their pets here are a few simple things you can do at home to keep them at a healthy weight:
- Start a healthy routine - Schedule a time for activities and place meals only three times a day. Don’t allow food to be accessible at all times except for access to water, water should be available around the clock.
- Feed them healthy - Feed your pets the appropriate food according to their age, breed and scheduled activities. Do research and find out what types of nutrition your pet’s meals should contain. This should also be paired with portion control which is limiting their servings to the portions that are appropriate.
- Exercise - Exercise can be too cliché but exercise can be disguised in play. Take your pets out to play with others or play with them even if it’s just playing fetch inside!
- Puzzle Feeders - These are food containers that encourage extra effort in eating, this prevents your pets from consuming food faster than usual making them eat more. If they feed slower they will know when they are full and will prevent them from eating excessively.
Need a hand? Yepipet is here for you! Yepipet can help you monitor your pet’s weight and well-being by providing you your pet’s weight record and growth trend! By recording your pet’s weight information with YepiPet, Yepipet gives you an average weight range, and the recommended ideal weight. Depending on the growth trend of your pet, YepiPet gives you feedback on their health and compare it according to your pet's age, species and breed. So download Yepipet now and help your pet with obesity! So check out the YepiPet app and download it here for iOS and Android.
