Pet Obesity

Just like us, a well-balanced nutritional intake and regular exercise is important for your furry friends. October 8 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, and with that we thought it important to highlight approximately 54% of cats and dogs in the United States are overweight. Today we want to help raise awareness to the dangers obesity may have on your pet. 

If you are unsure your pet is overweight there are several tools for which you can utilize to help better assess. First and foremost is your veterinarian, followed by online resources that show specifics on breeds and their ideal appearance and weight. A general rule of thumb to go by is being able to feel their ribs, but not seeing them. 

Here are some additional tips to help aid in keeping your pets weight in check. 

1. Talk with your veterinarian as they are the best resource for helping you. They can work with you to create a plan to help control, monitor and improve your pet’s weight. They are also able to recommend ways to help your pet lose weight in a healthy and safe way.
2. Calorie control. A wide variety of pet foods exist, always be certain to check nutrition labels for the best quality ingredients. Avoid foods that contain fillers. Avoid table scraps and try to limit the number of treats. Try to ensure treats are of the healthy variety. 
3. Consistency. Ensure feeding portions are consistent, place a cup in the bag to keep amounts the same. Feed them on a consistent schedule, and avoid overfeeding. Consider using an automatic feeder as this helps to keep a consistent schedule and amount. 
4. Go outside! Not only is it great for your pet, but you too! Take a nice walk around the neighborhood or park. A session of catch is always a great way to keep your dog moving and staying healthy. 

Similar to humans, pet obesity can have the same severe unfavorable effects as well. Disorders that are common with pet obesity include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and so forth. If you are unsure about your pets weight, schedule an appointment with us today and start the conversation of getting them on a healthier track! 

Keeping Your Pets Fit

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

It is important to promote positive lifestyle for your pet.  Cats and dogs are both prone to becoming overweight without exercise and a healthy diet.  Here are a few tips to help you improve your pet’s fitness and avoid obesity.

Pet Health Tips:

• Spend Time Outdoors – Now that the weather is warm, you can take your pets for a walk or let them play outside.  Running, jumping and chasing are natural ways to get your dog energized.  There are plenty of outdoor enclosures available that allow cats to run, roam, and pounce outside too!
• Consistent Exercise – A moderate level of exercise each day is ideal for a fit and healthy pet.  Keep toys handy to keep your dog or cat energized for a play session, whether indoors or outdoors.
• Portion Control – Feed your pet using a designated measuring cup.  This is a great way to make sure you know exactly how much food they are consuming each day.  This can keep you from over feeding your pet, especially as your pet ages.

If you are concerned about your pet’s fitness and nutrition, we encourage you to contact our office.  The experienced veterinarians at Bregman Vet Group can provide you with advice for your pet’s individual needs.

Is Your Pet Overweight? Try a Pet Treadmill!

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Whether a pet is overweight, injured or just lacks exercise, taking them on a walk or letting them roam outside is pointless. If your pet doesn't enjoy getting exercise on its own, it should be forced to work out to stay healthy, and that’s what the pet treadmill offers.

Veterinarians are now using a special water treadmill to help cats and dogs rehabilitate and get them back to their proper health. Brittney Barton, a veterinarian who is working on this project states: “It’s kind of like a Cadillac. It’s a very specialized piece of equipment, so it has a very long bed treadmill. We can adjust the speed. We can even kind of mix it up a bit and put some exercise balls in and do some specialized exercises.”

During these sessions, patients can spend anywhere from fifteen to forty minutes on the treadmill, all depending on the health of the pet.

The treadmill seems to be working with most patients; mostly every pet that has been exercising on this treadmill has been getting stronger and fit. One of the patients, “Skinny the cat”, was rescued last year weighing 41 pounds, and since using the treadmill he has shed over 10 pounds of fat!

For more information on how to give your pet a healthy lifestyle, please visit our Facebook page or call any of the Bregman Veterinary Group locations. 

Is Your Pet Overweight?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Pet obesity, is it a disease or a decision? Donna Solomon, a veterinarian in the Animal Medical Center of Chicago, says, “Obesity in our pets is a disease but it IS OUR decision.” 

Although your pet may and could be suffering from medical situations, such as Hypothyroid, Hperadrenocorticism, and/or orthopedic pain, most pet obesity is due to  excessive food consumption. It is up to the owner, not the pet, to decide when it is time to eat or exercise.

 If you need help figuring out a proper diet and exercise routine for your pet, simply talk to your veterinarian. 

It is up to you to help your pet fight against obesity! For more information from Veterinarian Donna Solomon on pet obesity click HERE.

Is Your Pet Overweight?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

As many of us know, the importance of managing and watching our own weight is vital to our overall health. Well, it’s just as important to watch our pet’s weight- but many pet owners are overfeeding their pets and contributing to obesity. 

In the past 5 years, the number of overweight cats has increased 90%, and the number of overweight dogs has increased by 37%. Not impressed?Last year, veterinarians at Banfield Pet Hospitals reportedly saw over 2 million dogs and nearly 430,000 cats. “It’s an epidemic,” says Dr. Jeffery Klausner, medical director for Bandfield. 

Although it’s the animals that are overweight, it’s the owners who are directly responsible. It is important for animal owners to schedule routine visits with their vet to check on their pet’s health conditions. 

By visiting the Bregman Vet Group regularly, you could prevent your pet from harmful diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease. 

Click HERE to find out other facts and figures about pet obesity. To schedule an appointment at the Bregman Vet Group, visit BregmanVetGroup.com. 

Fat Camp....For Pets?!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

For Americans, obesity has become a big problem over the last few years. People aren’t the only ones suffering with this issue anymore- animals are too! 

In Chicago, Integrative Pet Care has started to crack down on overweight dogs with a pet fat camp!

With help from underwater treadmills and resistant pools, Integrative Pet Care has helped dogs shed their extra pounds.

Although a fitness and therapy center for dogs and cats might seem a little extreme, the results speak for themselves. Rather than paying for hip surgery in the future, why not spend the money and get your pets healthy now!

Is your pet overweight? Are you worried about the health risks associated with pet obesity? Schedule an appointment at one of the Bregman Vet Group locations to talk about your pets options now! 

Click HERE to read the full article!

Lazy Pets Are Putting on Weight

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Some pets that you see lying around the house all day are very overweight and are eating too much food with no enough exercise. More than one in seven cats and dogs in the state of Ohio are obese or overweight, according to a new report.

 Pets that pack on the pounds are more likely to develop debilitating medical conditions that can reduce their quality of life and result in hefty veterinarian bills for owners (http://goo.gl/T0IhD).

According to experts on this issue, pet owners should learn to recognize the signs of animal obesity and help their pets get healthier through better eating habits and a lot more exercise.

Some owners gave their pets table scraps and without the proper exercise, the pounds can really add up. Pets that are obese have a greater chance of having arthritis, kidney disease and cancer, and these diseases can significantly shorten their life span.

Frequent trips to the vet, although checkups are always a mainstay, can become more costly if your pet is overweight as testing needs to be done, and that can really put a dent in your wallet. Pet prescriptions can also become very pricey, over a period of time.

Take your pet for a walk every day when you get home from work, or once you wake up in the morning. Not only will it benefit your pet, but it will also benefit you as well.

If you feel that your pet is too overweight or obese and need to see a doctor, call us at one of our Bregman Vet Hospitals and we can schedule an appointment to see your pet.