So you feed your dog titbits from the table? And you fill his bowl to the top with pellets and a tin of dog food every morning? Don’t feel bad, you are among thousands of pet owners who have their dogs on a similarly well intentioned, but inadvisable, diet.
Dogs and cats are as prone to obesity as humans, and the prevalence of fat pets has reached alarming levels in South Africa, with vets saying that more than half the pets they see weigh more than is healthy, according to a survey by the Hill’s Pet Slimmer programme, launched 15 years ago to address the ever-increasing epidemic of pet obesity in South Africa. As a result, more than 350 veterinary practices now run special weight-loss clinics to treat these supersized patients.
“Pet obesity is a very real problem in South Africa,” says Durban veterinarian Dr Judy Ratner. “If your pet is overweight, its lifespan can be reduced by as much as two years, not to mention health problems like osteoarthritis, pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease and even some forms of cancer.”
In cats, it is estimated that nearly one third of cases of diabetes mellitus and lameness could be eliminated if cats achieved ideal body condition.
The good news is that, like humans, dogs and cats can slim down with the right diet, and some have achieved remarkable results, as was seen this month in the 2014 Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year competition.
The finalists included Missy Groeneveld, a 17-year-old cat that lost 3.91kg (43 percent of her bodyweight), and Candy Botes, a Miniature Pinscher who shed 1.2kg (34 percent of her bodyweight).
Candy’s owner, Daleen Botes, said she was “shocked” when the vet told her that her dog was too fat to treat. Candy enjoyed eating lunch and supper at the table with the family, and loved human food, including sweets, treats and even cups of tea, which she drank from a saucer, according to Botes. Candy became so large that she had to be carried around, had difficulty breathing and could no longer stand up on her hind legs.
“Now that she’s reached her target weight, Candy is her old self, energetic and full of life,” says Botes. “She’s able to jump on the couch instead of being lifted up. She’s more interested in what’s going on outside and barks when someone walks past. Her fur is also shinier.”
Feeding your dog leftovers like boerewors and macaroni cheese is particularly problematic, says Melissa Lehman, practice manager at St Francis Veterinary hospital in Edenvale. “Dogs don’t break down human food the way we do. To give you an idea, feeding a dog 100g of boerewors is like feeding a human 22 mini-koeksisters. Children in the family may exacerbate the problem, if they’re feeding their dog leftover sandwiches and scraps from school.”
Ratner adds that human food can result in nutritional imbalances and lead to deficiencies or even toxicities in your pet. “Certain human foods cannot be digested by cats and dogs, can lead to excess fermentation in the stomach, causing bloating. Bloating can lead to the stomach twisting around upon itself, a condition called gastric dilation volvulus, which if untreated will lead to death. As a general rule, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Basset Hounds, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Weimaraners and St Bernards are at greater risk for gastric dilation,” she says.
Still, we all like to reward our pets or treat them, so what makes a healthy treat? Turns out there are some healthy human food options you can give such as a raw carrot, celery, cucumber, dried apricot and rice cake. Or you could buy commercial treats designed specifically for dogs and cats.
Common treats that should be avoided at all costs for dogs and cats are chocolate, avocadoes, onions, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, mouldy foods and foods containing the sweetener xylitol. “These all contain toxins that will severely harm your pet and can even kill them,” says Ratner.
Like humans, feeding pets correctly means measuring out the correct portions of the food designed for them – with no human food supplements.
“Look on the packet of the food you buy and you’ll see how much to measure out for the day for your size of dog,” says Lehman. “With premium brand products, the amounts are generally less than the supermarket brands, because the food is more nutritious with higher standards of ingredients.”
Vets recommend feeding dogs twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Feeding them more than once a day keeps their hunger levels in check, which also decreases inter-dog aggression and prevents them getting up to mischief like digging in the garden.
Cats, on the other hand, can be dished out their food once – again being careful to give them the recommended portion.
“Cats are grazers,” says Lehman. “They eat multiple times during the day, but the amount should be measured each day.”
Depending on the weight you want your pet to achieve, that’s the amount of food you should be dishing out for, Lehman adds. “So if your dog should be 30kg, that’s the weight you should be measuring the portion for.”
Food aside, Ratner advises that spending quality time with your dog is much more beneficial than a treat. “Take your dog for a walk, give him a brush, or play with a ball in the garden. This will not only improve the bond your dog has with you, but exercise increases his metabolism and keeps him fitter and healthier,” she suggests.
If you think your pet is overweight, it’s best to have this determined by a veterinarian, who has the correct measuring instruments at hand.
l Visit www.petslimmer.co.za for information on the Hill’s Pet Slimmer programme.
Helen Grange, The Star