Is it really in a pet’s best interest to feed them dinner table treats?
Arona Becker, a Veterinary Nurse at the Pietersburg Veterinary Clinic, says pet obesity is the pathway to various other health problems and people fail to understand the damage incurred by their pets, one treat at a time.
POLOKWANE – Festivities and food are synonymously intertwined and no celebration can truly be declared festive, without a hearty cooked meal.
Experts strongly disagree and give a stern warning not to give your pets festive treats.
According to Arona Becker, a Veterinary Nurse at the Pietersburg Veterinary Clinic, pet obesity is the pathway to various other health problems and people fail to understand the damage incurred by their pets, one treat at a time.
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Cancer, urinary tract infections, skin problems and heart disease are just some of the health conditions associated with pet obesity.
“People take offence when I inform them that their pets are obese, some are completely in denial. What is considered a perfect weight might be regarded as underweight to people, but various Hills studies have shown pets are happier when they are not overweight. We have an obesity programme in place to assist pet owners in the struggle against pet obesity, the Hills Pet Slimmer’s Programme. We weigh pets, determine their perfect weight, plan an eating programme and have weekly follow-up visits to keep track of their progress,” she explained.
She also explained how certain breeds are more susceptible to weight gain than others.
Overweight pets have shorter live spans and is currently the number one health problem among our four-legged friends.
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People are urged to be proactive and avoid feeding their pets with any treats or delicacies which can be deemed as a contributing factor to obesity. If pets consume food with the appropriate amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, then treats can still add extra amounts of calories leading to obesity. A pet’s food intake should also be cut down after a pet has been spayed or neutered.
For more information, contact the Pietersburg Veterinary Clinic on (015) 291 2107 or visit them at 217 Marshall Street.
