The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says that 56% of our pets are obese. So, why does that matter? A recent University of Liverpool study of some 50,000 dogs over 20 years found that the lifespan of overweight dogs was approximately 2.5 years shorter than their lean counterparts and the Veterinarians Center of America reports a 2.8-fold increase in mortality among obese cats compared to leaner ones.
According to Dr. Oscar Chavez, Chief Medical Officer at JustFoodForDogs (JFFD), a California-based company known for producing fresh whole food using USDA ingredients certified for human consumption, obesity shortens a pet’s lifespan primarily because it makes them more likely to develop diseases.
“Many of the same diseases humans face due to obesity can be found in our pets including diabetes, osteoarthritis, urinary bladder stones, various forms of cancer, and several ailments affecting the heart, liver, skin, joints and respiratory system,” said Chavez. “Previously, fat was considered to be relatively inactive tissue, simply storing excess energy calories and adding to body mass. However, scientific evidence now reveals that fat tissue is biologically active. It secretes inflammatory hormones and puts added stress on the body’s tissue, leading to various diseases. Thinking of obesity as a chronic, low-level inflammatory condition is a new approach.”
Chavez says that the following are some of causes of pet obesity and what you can do to reverse it:
∙ Poor quality, processed diet — Too many pets eat commercial kibble containing questionable ingredients with little to no nutritional value. Consider introducing a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods (JFFD offers free recipes on its website justfoodfordogs.com).
∙ Overfeeding — Ask your vet how much to feed your pet based on his/her age, body condition score, weight, level of activity, breed, etc. Do not rely on pet food labels as many brands tend to overestimate portion size.
∙ Feeding scraps from the table — Many of the foods we eat are fine for pets to eat too, but some of them are rich and use sauces, spices and ingredients that can play havoc on pet health. What’s healthy for us – fruits, vegetables, lean meat, can be a healthy snack for them. Fatty or sugary foods can unwittingly cause long-term health problems as well as increasing their risk for obesity.
∙ Too many treats — Many of us fail to consider treats when evaluating our pets' diets. Offer treats sparingly and stay away from most commercial brands as they are often laden with a whole host of impurities, fat other undesirable ingredients. We prefer whole food treats like banana, apple slices, or the dehydrated meat snacks offered at justfoodfordogs.com.
∙ Lack of exercise — While some breeds require a lot of exercise (i.e., labradors, collies, shepherds, huskies), others don’t (i.e., pugs, hounds, bulldogs, spaniels). However, they all require some level of activity. Whether it’s a prolonged game of fetch, run in the park or just a walk around the block, make sure your dog gets the exercise he/she needs each day. For cats, keep plenty of toys around and consider high profile cat condos, treadmills and exercise wheels for those requiring extra activity.
∙ Being spayed/neutered too early — Recent research suggests that pets spayed/neutered prematurely may have adverse effects later in life. For male dogs, we recommend neutering at 1-3 years of age and spaying females at 1-2 years. There is less research on cats, they can be spayed/neutered between 6-12 months. Always discuss this in detail with your vet, as certain variables can change these recommendations. For example, early aggression or inappropriate behavior can hasten the indication for neutering.
About JustFoodForDogs: JustFoodForDogs is a California-based company that invented and launched the fresh, whole-food movement for pets when it opened the first kitchen cooking nutritional food for dogs eight years ago. JFFD offers the only food on the market proven healthy by two independent universities, who conducted year-long trials proving their recipes boost the immune system of dogs in a healthy way. A team of in-house veterinarians formulates the meals using only fresh, whole-food ingredients USDA certified for human consumption, in recipes nutritionally balanced for dogs as well as cats. Available in retail locations across the country and online, the company also offers its recipes on its website enabling pet parents to prepare nutritional meals at home. To learn more, visit www.justfoodfordogs.com
