Pet obesity: Killing with kindness

“Food is love, and people love their pets – sometimes a little too much,” says Dr Dina Mannix, a veterinarian who operates a pet obesity clinic in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. She sees corpulent cats, plump parrots, and portly pooches and pays the occasional hefty horse a house call.

“Studies show that an overweight pet has seven times the number of joint and muscle diseases and three times the number of skin disorders than a lean pet,” says Dr Mannix, “as well as a decreased life expectancy of up to four years.”

For portly pets, the only love is tough love: a strict diet.

“The problem is that a lot of people who come to me with their overweight pets are overweight themselves,” explains the doctor.

The first step in the clinic’s Vet’s pet fitness weight loss programme is putting the animal on a diet. For dogs, she recommends a diet of 45% meat (such as lean ground beef or chicken), 45% plant carbohydrates (pumpkin, peas, sweet potato, and carrots), and 10% fat (animal fat and flax seed oil for its omega-6 content). For cats: 55% meat or fish, 25% plant carbohydrates and 20% fat.

“Home-cooked meals are a must. Commercial animal food contains large quantities of saturated fats and chemicals like preservatives.”

She also banishes treats. “Did you know one Milk-Bone treat can contain as much as 20% of a dog’s caloric intake?”

Putting overweight pets in a swimming pool or on a treadmill to get them exercising is the second step.

“It isn’t always easy to get an animal on a treadmill. Dogs are a bit more adaptable than cats, but it’s preferable to a swim,” chuckles Dr Mannix.

Overweight owners are encouraged to take a turn on the treadmill alongside their pets. “I tell them their pets need their moral support,” she laughs slyly, “Exercise can be fun when you’re doing it with your best friend.”

Obesity checks for dogs and cats

• You should be able to see and feel the outline of your pet’s ribs without excess fat covering
• You should be able to see and  feel your pet’s waist and it should  be clearly visible when viewed from above
• Your pet’s belly should be tucked up when viewed from the side
• Your pet should have muscular definition and smooth contours when viewed from behind

For more information visit Orange Grove Vet Obesity Clinic or petobesityprevention.com