are we killing our pets with kindness??

Are We Killing Our Pets With Kindness?



The PDSA is urging pet owners to extend their lifestyle pledges to their pets this Lent - and cut out fatty treats.
The call comes as the charity's latest dog obesity figures reveal a staggering 35% of our canine pals to be overweight. Cats are also getting bigger - PDSA has found that the percentage of overweight cats has increased by around five percent over three years, with latest figures suggesting that one in four cats are overweight.
"Many owners get into the habit of feeding scraps and fatty treats to pets," said Sean Wesley, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon. "We know it's not good for them and the onset of Lent is an ideal time to make a fresh start. Millions of people try to cut out bad habits at this time of year, so why not do our pets a favor and improve their diet too?"
PDSA vets believe the rise in obesity is primarily due to owners indulging their pets with a more varied selection of fatty, sugary and unhealthy treats and not giving them enough exercise.
A nine month health assessment of nearly 8,000 dogs during 2009 paints a very worrying picture of the health of the UK's dog population. According to the data over three-and-a-half million UK dogs need to slim down.
Sean added: "We have seen a steady increase in the number of dogs, cats, rabbits and even small furry pets that are overweight. Thousands of pets across the UK are having their quality of life, and lifespan, cut short as a direct result of obesity.
"As people's waistlines increase, so too our pets' vital statistics seem to be mirroring that trend. Ultimately, it is the owners who are in control of their pets' food in-take and often they inadvertently feed an inappropriate diet and excessive calories."
But it's not all bad news for pets. A number of PDSA pet patients have recently undergone weight-loss transformations, overseen by PDSA vets, after their owners enrolled them on its annual pet slimming competition – Pet Fit Club. The winner of the competition, Amber the cat from Edinburgh, lost 17% of her bodyweight during the pet slimming challenge.
Retrieve Tracking has produced a guide to help owners take a step in the right direction in maintaining their pet's health and well being:
• Is your dog overweight? Ask your vet to weigh your dog to work out whether it is the right weight for its breed. If it happens to be overweight they can advise you on how much weight it needs to lose and the best way for you do this.
• Is your dog getting enough exercise? The amount of exercise each dog needs depends on the breed, but as a general rule they should be taken for a walk at least twice a day. Breeds that require more exercise include Springer spaniels and border collies whilst breeds such as pugs and poodles require the least.
• How do I know how much exercise my dog is getting when I walk them? It is not just about how many times per day you walk your dog, it is also about how fast they run and how many miles they cover. You may take your dog for a two mile walk when your dog should be covering double that or even triple this distance. Invest in a device that is capable of measuring how far your dog has run, its speed and also location.
• Can my dog have snacks? Dogs should not be allowed to regularly snack, as it is simply unnecessary and means that it will be consuming more calories than it is able to burn. Only give tit bits as a reward if it really deserves it, and never feed your dog human food as it can upset its digestive system. Dental treats are the best thing to give your dog as it is healthy for their teeth and will last them longer than other fatty treats.
"Good dog owners will think about their pets basic needs, by giving them only the amount of food they require and giving them enough exercise to burn this off to balance and maintain their energy levels and most of all, keep them happy. Your dog will thank you more if, instead of giving them the remains of your snack, you take them out for a nice walk instead. Britain is fast becoming a nation of obese people so if we want to avoid our pets ending up the same way we need to think back to basics" concludes Jon, co-founder of Retriever Tracking, which produces a collar that can be used to measure how far your dog has run, and to relocate it should it go missing.