For many people, New Year’s resolutions include a personal weight-loss goal. But if you’re a couch potato with Spuds Mackenzie always by your side, he may be in need of a tuneup, too.
“More than one study has shown that overweight people have overweight pets,” says Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a staff doctor at Animal Medical Center. “Surveys suggest that 20 percent to 40 percent of cats and dogs are obese in the United States.”
And it’s not just about appearance: Overweight pets are at a greater risk for orthopedic disease, respiratory disease, bladder problems, joint issues and some cancers. As always, consult a vet before beginning a new regime. No doubt they’ll approve of these healthy tips.
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1. Take a good hard look
ZUMAPRESS “Often I will tell people, ‘Hmm, your pet is looking very round’ and the owner won’t see it,” says Hohenhaus. “Most breeds should have a silhouette that nips in at the waist, not all the same size like a hot dog.”
If you can’t tell by sight, let your hands guide you. “It is sometimes hard to tell with animals that have a very thick coat, like a rabbit or guinea pig,” says Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, director of the Animal Medical Center’s Exotic & Avian Service. As a rule of thumb, pet owners should be able to feel — not see — their animal’s ribs when they stroke their fur.
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2. Watch the kibble
Shutterstock “Where people tend to cheat is with the dry food,” says Hohenhaus. “Get out your kitchen scale and weigh it out so you get the correct number of calories and put those portions in [sandwich bags]. That way you’re not tempted to feed them an extra three nuggets, which can be the difference between losing weight or not.”
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3. Limit grazing
Shutterstock A cat’s metabolism is designed for meals, not continuous snacks. Therefore, leaving out a bowl of food all day for your Russian Blue can pack on the pounds. “It’s sort of like leaving out a big bowl of sugar cereal for your kids,” says Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of the ASPCA Animal Hospital.
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4. Beware of treats
Shutterstock The biggest contributing factor for overweight pets is goodies. “I don’t mean to impugn Milk-Bone,” says Hohenhaus, “but as an example, one Milk-Bone snack has 10 calories. So 10 biscuits can quickly add up, and no more than 10 percent of a pet’s daily calories should come from treats.”
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5. Say no to sugar
Riyad Hasan “A lot of the commercial treats and tidbits for rabbits are sugar-coated,” says Quesenberry. “It just turns to fat.” Instead, she recommends Oxbow for hay-based treats that aren’t caked in the sweet stuff.
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6. Go natural
Shutterstock “Baby carrots and apple slices are low-calorie treat options for dogs,” says Hohenhaus. “Some steamed spinach would also work. Anything that is considered ‘human food’ is a treat to a dog.” Since felines tend to turn up their noses at garden foods, a healthy treat for cats is flaked tuna.
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7. Playtime is a must
AP The next step on the path to weight loss is exercise. For dogs, take a brisk 30-minute lap around the neighborhood or go play with a ball, recommends Hohenhaus. Have a cat? Attach a string or ribbon to the back of your clothing and let your kitty chase as you attend to household activities, says Murray.
Rabbits, rodents and birds aren’t exempt from gym class either: “Birds can fly from one end of the hallway to the other or walk around on the floor if they are unable to take flight,” Quesenberry instructs. “You can get behind your rabbit and nudge them to walk around the room. And hamsters should always have an exercise wheel.”
“Anything that gets your pet moving is a good thing,” adds Murray. “But it will involve work from you.”