Obesity is a problem with many pets in our households. In 2002, a scientific study done by Purina, one of the largest pet food companies, had shown that by simply feeding to maintain the ideal body condition throughout a pets life, can increase the length of their lives while delaying the visible signs of aging. Purina took 24 pairs of genetically similar Labradors and studied their lifespan and conditioning relative to feeding over a 14 year period. They came to the conclusion a dogs lifespan can be extended by an average of 2 years just by accurately measuring food instead of free feeding. Proper food management and exercise is vital to the health of any species, just like their humans companions. Over half of all cats and dogs in US households are either overweight or obese; the reasons our pets are packing on the pounds arent that different from the reasons their owners are. Just as were eating larger portions and more snacks than a generation ago, so are our pets. Because our lives are busier than they were 20 years ago, were less likely to get the exercise we need - and less likely to take a long walk with our dogs or engage our cats with feathers and mice on strings. Some owners disregard the health hazards associated with overweight pets. Overweight and obese pets not only have shorter life spans but also suffer from more medical problems during their lives, including back pain, arthritis, kidney disease, and diabetes—and theyre more expensive to care for as a result. We may not realize, as well, that an inactive pet is more likely to become depressed or anxious. Thats because a sedentary lifestyle leads to an alteration in the three major brain chemicals responsible for mood— just the same way it does in humans. Aerobic activity for as little as twenty to thirty minutes a day balances norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin levels, resulting in a better, more stable mood. Also, well-exercised pets wont be quite as wired indoors, so theyll be less prone to chewing, barking, and other troublesome behaviors. Articles: webvet/main/2008/06/03/obesity-cats-and-dogs https://avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Pages/AVMA-Collections-Obesity-in-dogs-summary.aspx
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 19:10:57 +0000