Our animals and balance…
At the beginning of year 2015, our dogs and cats surely have, just as we, a few pounds to lose !
Maybe they made some excess for the holidays... So if your pet has gained weight, It is now time to make good resolutions and to pay attention to their diet !
Many pet owners wonder about the ideal weight that should make their small companion. Not always easy to know if a pet is too big, too skinny...
Once the defined optimal weight, a regular weighing the vet is capital. A young animal, It allows to control its growth and weight curve and thus to adapt the quantities of food to give. An adult who has reached its "weight", It allows to verify that it remains stable !
Do you know how heavy your dog or your cat ? Do you have an idea of his ideal weight ?
Do you know all the consequences of overweight on the health and the life expectancy of our pets ? The following article, available on our website, will allow you to answer these questions. You'll know so if your pet is overweight and will be convinced of the importance of monitoring its line !
1- Choose the silhouette that you would like for your dog or your cat and you think to be ideal !
A B C D E
Illustration of the hill site'spet.fr
Response :
the ideal silhouette is the Figure C.
The optimal weight corresponds to the weight that the animal must have to stay healthy.
It is based on the silhouette of your pet.
It is impossible to give a weight encrypted for each breed, the individual variations within a same breed are very important : everything depends on the size and morphology of your pet.
Two elements must be taken into account :
– If you look at the top pet, It should be noted a slight hollow at the level of the flanks (more difficult to observe in the cat, and in long-haired dogs) : see picture C
– When switching hands flat on each side of the thorax, must be able to easily count the sides. If one is obliged to press your fingers against the chest to feel the sides, the animal is overweight. If you feel any side, the animal is obese !
2- That a dog or a cat is considered obese if it exceeds its optimal weight :
A: 20 %
B: 40 %
C: 50%
Response :
A : Beyond 20 % In addition that the optimal weight, the animal is considered to be obese.
3- What proportion of pet is obese in France ?
A : 1 pet on 5 is obese
B : 1 pet on 4 is obese
C : 1 pet on 3 is obese
Response
B : In France, 1/4 pet is obese. But, without reaching the stage of obesity, very many animals beyond their optimal weight and therefore are overweight.
It is estimated that one-third of french pet exceeds its optimal weight ! Yet, only 24% the french consider that their pet is too big…
11 % the French admit even prefer their pet with a little overweight ! (study Youvog for Hill's)
4- Obesity in dogs can reduce the life expectancy of :
A – 6 month
B – 1 year
C – 2 years
Response
C : Studies have shown that an obese dog can have a life expectancy decreased for two years.
5- Obesity in cats and dogs :
A- Does not affect the risk of developing cancer
B- Increases the risk of cancer of 30 %
C- Increases the risk of cancer of 50%
Response
C: The risk of cancer in a dog or a cat obese is increased by 50 % compared to a dog or a cat's normal weight.
6- Obesity increases the risk of :
A- Diabetes
B- osteoarthritis
C- cardiovascular disease
Response
A, B, and (c) : The percentage of these 3 diseases is much higher in the obese animals than in animals with optimal weight !
Include other diseases fostered by overweight as skin infections, liver diseases, cystitis, the formation of urinary crystals, digestive disorders, oral diseases and cancers.
7- In a cat more than 7 years, excess weight increases the risk of death by :
A- 2
B- 3
C- 4
Response
B : The risk of death in a cat more of 7 years is multiplied by 3 If it is overweight ! What do us think... Better to monitor the line of our Kitty !
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In France, a high proportion of pet is overweight !
In addition to the aesthetic criteria, the consequences on their health and well-being are harmful.
A dog or a too big cat has difficulty moving, is more quickly out of breath, a more than risks of developing certain diseases, and has a sharply reduced life expectancy !
To avoid this, It is essential to promote physical exercise (even cats who live in apartment !) and to choose an appropriate diet.
At the Kreiz Breizh Veterinary Clinic, We can advise you on the best food for your pet, comply with dose and frequency of meals.
We can also give you tips to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and to stimulate physical activity of your pet !
If your pet is already overweight, do not despair : solutions exist ! Do not hesitate to tell us about !