Surgery
on overweight animals is usually more difficult to perform because of the layers of fatty tissue.
Obese or
overweight animals often need to eat foods that are lower in fat and higher in fiber than maintenance adult dog foods.
Organised by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), U.K.'s leading veterinary charity, the Pet Fit Club has been helping 95
overweight animals get healthy again for the last 10 years, losing a total of 381 kg.
Not only is it healthier for your pets to be lean, the recent Purina Life Span study showed that lean pets live an average of 1.8 years longer than
moderately overweight animals.
Anesthesia is riskier for
overweight animals too — just one more reason to make sure your pet is not overweight.
Very young dogs and cats have as much as 70 % to 80 % total body water, 2 while older pets may have as little as 50 % to 55 %.2 Fatty tissue contains much less water than do muscle, organs, and soft tissue,
so overweight animals tend to carry less water per pound proportionally to lean dogs.
The percentage
of overweight animals is about 49, and 48 percent of owners found their dogs had become very lazy or listless.
Overweight animals face a variety of potential problems, from heart disease to joint issues, and these pets experience a dramatic reduction in longevity.
It occurs most often in
overweight animals housed on wire - bottomed cages or in filthy cages that abrade the feet, making them susceptible to a chronic, deep infection that causes lameness and pain.
It is seen more frequently in obese cats than in those of normal weight,
since overweight animals constantly exert excessive pressure on their weight - bearing joints.
For
overweight animals green beans can be a viable kibble substitute.They lower blood fat levels and are a healthy choice of omega - 3 fatty acid.
Dogs who have flat - noses, called brachycephalic, like English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Shih Tzus and pugs; heavily - muscled dogs like pit bulls and boxers; large breed dogs; and
any overweight animal is at an increase to suffer from overheating due their poor ability to dissipate heat.
Keeping your pet's weight under control is also key —
overweight animals are much more susceptible to chronic and acute diseases and infections.
Elderly dogs or
overweight animals are less active, so the hair isn't naturally worn off as it would be if they were out walking or playing.
Dogs with short noses and underlying respiratory issues or
overweight animals can overheat more rapidly, as they may not be able to breath adequately and dissipate heat.
Critical issues in unsafe and substandard zoos that put animals at risk include: animals not provided with fresh, clean water; inadequate shelter or shade; poor care and / or condition of the animals; signs of stress and / or boredom; undernourished or
overweight animals; a lack of cage enrichment; poor containment safety.
While eating Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution,
an overweight animal's metabolism changes to act more like that of a lean animal.
Keep walks to a minimum, and be extra cautious with older and
overweight animals.
Overweight animals are more susceptible to the development...
Advice on feeding puppies,
overweight animals and particular diseases (food allergies, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases).