1. Calculate calories. The very starting point for feeding your pet is determining how many calories he needs on a daily basis. Every animal is different depending on his activity level, age, etc. so you might need to do a little trial and error. Dr. Ward provides a good formula on how to calculate the number of calories your pet needs:
   

   Divide your pet’s weight by 2.2. Multiply this figure times 30. Add 70 and you’ve got a good idea of how many calories you should be feeding a typical inactive, indoor spayed or neutered pet. Of course, each pet’s metabolism is different, so be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting a diet.

2. Measure meals. Rather than making a general guess, invest in a measuring cup for your pet’s food so that you can be sure that you’re feeding the proper amount at each meal.
3. Make wise treat choices. Purchase healthy, low-sugar, low-calorie treats for your pet and be sure to watch how many treats are being handed out each day. One way to give your pet the same amount of treats for fewer calories is to break the treats up into tiny bits which are still just as tasty and rewarding to your pet.
4. Consider veggies. Rather than processed pet treats, consider rewarding with healthy vegetables! Dr. Ward suggests baby carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, green beans, and celery. You can also add apples, bananas and ice cubes into the mix! For cats, he suggests a flake of salmon or tuna.
5. Daily exercise. We all know that good health is a result of diet and exercise which is what our pets need as well. Take your dog on a 2o-30 minute walk or get your cat to chase toys around the house for 5-15 minutes each day to improve cardiovascular health.
6. Supplements. Dr. Ward recommends supplements for cats and dogs, stating that a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement will provide antioxidants that help prevent numerous diseases, ease joint pain, and encourage weight loss. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplements.
7. Low carbs. Check your pet food labels and try to cut back on the carbs. Look for low-grain or no-grain foods whose first listed ingredient is a protein source.

Read the entire article with more in-depth explanations on ABC News.

Here are a few tips for pet feeding, adapted from a list by Dr. Patty Khuly, DVM.

1. Choose a nutritionally balanced pet food. Be sure to check the ingredients on the label and try to avoid foods with fat listed within the first four ingredients. Speak with your veterinarian for suggestions of good foods.
2. Moisten your cat’s food. According to a 2010 study at the Waltham Center in the UK, cats on moistened diets (even if it’s just adding water to their kibble) tended to be more active and weighed less.
3. Check for allergies or intolerance. If you recently brought home a new pet or are switching your pet’s current food, it is important to monitor them on their new diet to make sure they don’t have any allergies or tummy aches caused by the food.
4. Measure your pet’s meals. Free-pouring or “eyeing” the amount of food you feed your pet can make a big difference over time. Be sure to use measuring cups or a scoop with marked measurements so that you can be consistent and ensure that you’re not overfeeding.
5. Determine whether you are feeding the correct amount of food. At your next veterinary check-up, ask your vet if your dog or cat is too thin or too fat to ensure that you are feeding the proper amount.
6. Be consistent. Frequently changing the brand or type of pet food can upset your pet’s tummy so it’s important to generally stick to the same food, prepared the same, each day. If you decide to change foods, it should be done gradually by mixing in small amounts with your pet’s current food.
7. Watch the treat intake. Pet treats can be high in calories and quickly add up. Be sure to moderate the amount of treats given to your pet each day.
8. Take exercise into consideration. Did you recently start a new jogging routine with your dog? Are your kids spending more time playing with the cats? If your pet’s exercise habits have changed, it might also be time to adjust his food intake.
9. Age is a factor. As your dog or cat gets older, his metabolism (and likely activity level) slow down. Be sure to take your pet’s age into consideration when choosing a food (is it time for a senior diet?) and the size of the scoop.
10. All pets are different. Each pet has its own nutritional needs based on his individual age, breed, activity level, lifestyle, etc. so be sure to look at each pet as an individual when determining their food needs.

Matt Beswick of Pet365 has done some research into pet obesity and has created an informative and fun infographic to share his results. I know this is an important topic for all pet owners, so I wanted to share it as well.

Pet obesity graphic produced by Matt Beswick for Pet365 – a UK stockist of dog coats, collars and accessories. Click here to view the full post.

As a reminder, pet obesity is not just about the weight gain. As with humans, it can lead to a variety of other health issues, including pancreatitis, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure.

Pet owners can begin preventative measures early by making sure they feed their pet a healthy diet and give him or her an appropriate amount of exercise. They should also have their pet weighed periodically, and take measures to decrease weight gain if an issue arises. Some easy fixes include:

• Increase the amount of exercise your pet receives.
• Decrease the amount of food your pet eats daily, or switch to a lower calorie food option. Also, don’t free feed.
• Decrease the amount of treats given to your pet during the day.

Do you monitor your pet’s weight? What steps do you take?

Similar to the human population, obesity is becoming a growing problem among our pets as well. According to the Reuters article:

Five extra pounds on a medium-sized dog is the equivalent of nearly 20 pounds on an average size woman, according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which produces the Science Diet Weight Loss System that combines pre-portioned meals with biscuits.

Two extra pounds on a smaller breed, such as a Chihuahua, is the equivalent of nearly 60 pounds.

Feeding table scraps is a huge factor in pet obesity. We often fail to realize that a piece of food that seems like a small bite to us may actually be a big, fatty snack to our pet. A great step in the right direction is to eliminate ‘people food’ and measure your pet’s daily meals according to the food bag or your veterinarian’s recommendation.

So is your pet going to take on The Biggest Loser challenge?

Obesity leads to pet health issues.

We all want to show our pets how much we care about them. Unfortunately, many times we show it with food.

Pet obesity has become a huge issue in the last several years (no pun intended), and had led to an increase in obesity-related illnesses that can be prevented. The situation is ironic – as pet owners try to show their pets how much they care by rewarding them with high-calorie treats, they are actually leading the pet down an unhealthy path, lessening their quality and longevity of life.

The same problems that affect obese humans also affect obese pets. Studies show that pets with a little extra girth have a greater risk for developing osteoarthritis and other orthopedic problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, reproductive disorders, certain skin conditions, kidney failure, and a number of cancers.

It can be difficult to understand how the treats you give are affecting your pet because of the small portions, which is why Dr. Ernie Ward, a lead researcher at The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, has developed some equivalents that may be more convincing. For example, Dr. Ward says that a single, small dog bone treat given to a 10-pound dog is no different than a person eating two chocolate doughnuts. Now think about how many of those dog bone treats you tend to feed your dog during the day. That’s a lot of doughnuts. 

The calories in those treats inevitably cause weight gain. Again, a small amount of weight gain for a pet may not seem like too big of a deal, but Dr. Ward explains that 3 extra pounds on a 15-pound Boston Terrier is like 30 extra pounds on a 150-pound person. Some other equivilants to think about:

• A 90-pound female Labrador Retriever is equivalent to a 186-pound 5-foot, 4-inch female.
• A 12-pound Yorkshire Terrier is similar to a 223-pound 5-foot, 4-inch female.
• A 15-pound cat is equivalent to a 225-pound 5-foot, 9-inch male.
• A 20-pound cat equals a 300-pound 5-foot, 9-inch male. 
• Each extra pound on a cat is equal to about 13 pounds on the average female and 15 pounds on a male.

So, before you reward you pet with another treat, remember what that treat may mean. Try rewarding him with verbal praise, or a tummy rub instead. Teach your dog that affection can be shown without food, and keep him happy and healthy for many years to come!

Obesity in pets is a real issue.

Trupanion advises pet owners to pay close attention to their pets’ weight.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) August 2, 2010 — Pet insurance company Trupanion has released a list of obesity-related claims the company received since 2008, stating that obesity in pets is just as dangerous as obesity in humans.

According to WebMD, up to 40% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight, resulting in many severe health issues, including a decrease in life span. The number one obesity-related disease reported by Trupanion was pancreatitis, with a 255% increase in claims since 2008, and the year is only half over. This was followed by diabetes and arthritis, with a 112% increase and 209% increase in claims respectively. Other reported diseases included heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure.

Multiple areas of a dog’s body are affected by excess body fat, including the bones and joints, the digestive organs, and the organs used to breathe.

Having a hard time deciding if your pet is too plump? In general, a healthy bone structure should be easily felt but not seen. Run your hands over your pet and feel for the spine, shoulder blades, and ribs. If you have to dig through many layers of fat, there is a most likely a problem. There should also be a well-defined waist and a tight abdomen.

While in some cases, obesity is related to another disease, such as hypothyroidism in the animal, many times it comes down to owner responsibility. Start early by making sure you feed your pet a healthy diet and give him or her an appropriate amount of exercise. It is also important to have your pet weighed periodically, and to take measures to decrease weight gain if an issue arises. Some easy fixes include:

• Increase the amount of exercise your pet receives.
• Decrease the amount of food your pet eats daily, or switch to a lower calorie food option.
• Decrease the amount of treats given to your pet during the day.

By taking some preventative measures, and keeping an eye on your pet’s weight throughout his or her life, you can save him or her from a lifetime of hardships related to obesity. And as an added bonus, you will help keep yourself and your family healthy too.

About Trupanion™
Trupanion™ pet insurance offers cat insurance and dog insurance in the United States and Canada. Trupanion™ is self-underwritten by the American Pet Insurance Company, allowing Trupanion™ to offer a customizable pet insurance policy with no benefit schedules. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit. Trupanion’s mission is to protect the cherished bond between pets and their families by ensuring that pets are able to receive optimal veterinary care. For more information about Trupanion™, call 800-569-7913 or visit http://Trupanion.com.

About the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
Trupanion™ is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).  Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community.  As an association, we are committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products.  To learn more, visit the North American Pet Health Insurance Association website at http://www.naphia.org.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Trupanion/pet_insurance/prweb4336824.htm.

Flat-faced breeds have more difficulty breathing and cooling down because of the anatomy of their heads. The design of the head actually allows water to evaporate more quickly off the tongue than it does for the traditionally shaped dog’s head, leaving an inefficient system for the body to cool down.

You may not have known, but they actually require extra special care, especially in the hot summer months.

To prevent your dog from overheating and risking heatstroke, try some of these tips:

• Walk your dog in the cool of the early morning or late evening and not during midday when the temperatures are the highest.
• Keep your dog at a healthy weight– extra fat adds more insulation for heat.
• Limit strenuous exercise and play.
• This is important for all dogs: Try to stick to shady areas, and consider walking your dog through a grassy (or dirt or gravel) park rather than the hot asphalt on the really hot days. We don’t always remember, because we’re wearing shoes, but hot asphalt can burn poor pups’ paw pads.
• Provide a cool, shady spot for your dog to spend the hot hours of the day.
• Be sure your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water throughout the day.
• Never leave your dog in the car; even on a 70° day, temperatures inside the car can reach over 100°!

Got more tips to keep hot dogs cool? Share them in the comments!

*Photo from Crystal M. via Trupanion’s Facebook page.

However, this correlation was not found between cats and their owners. Cats tend to self-satisfy their exercise needs whereas dogs are more dependent upon their owner for walks or play sessions.

The folks at Dogster make a good point:

Obesity can cause many harmful health problems to your pet (Learn more). So get in a few extra walks every week, for the sake of both you and your dog’s health. Your dog really does make a great exercise buddy!

*Photo courtesy No More Treats.com

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to ensure a happier and healthier life for your pet. Try to work some of these resolutions into your plans:

1. Train your pet. This year, teach your pet a new trick or two. Many pets enjoy mental challenges to give their brain some exercise, plus it’s good bonding time for you and your pet.
2. Slim down that fat dog or cat. Pet obesity is a growing problem that leads to many health issues down the road. These health issues can be potentially expensive and life threatening.
3. Get your pet into a routine. If you have a new puppy or kitten, practice getting them used to regular feeding times and potty times. This will reduce the frequency of “accidents” if they know when they can expect their next visit to the “bathroom”.
4. Kick bad habits. If your pet has separation anxiety, check out some of these tips on how to alleviate the problem. If your pet is a beggar at the dinner table, train him to wait in his bed or space until your meal is finished, and stop feeding table scraps altogether.
5. Make a new pet friend. If your pet is friendly with other pets, introduce him to a new playmate and let them romp around together.
6. Resolve to get out more. Take your pet on more regular walks, to the park, or just let them roam in the backyard more frequently. The new sites and smells keep them busy and are a real treat.
7. Play more. Set aside some extra time each day to play with your pet, whether it be throwing a ball, tug-of-war, or dangling a string throughout the house. This is a great way to give them two things they love: toys and your attention.
8. Give back to the community. Take in a foster pet for a week or volunteer at your local pet shelter to give back to homeless pets.
9. Clean up clutter. Go through that pile of pet toys and get rid of those that your pet no longer plays with.
10. Get your pet checked and vaccinated. Be sure your pet is up to date on the latest vaccinations, and flea and heartworm medications. Also schedule your pet’s regular checkups to ensure they are in tip-top shape!

Good luck and Happy New Year!