Obesity: is my cavalier fat?

Pudgy pets: Group warns pets are overweight

By Randolph E. Schmid
The Associated Press

September 8, 2003

WASHINGTON -- The old wives' tale holds that people start to look like their pets. Turns out it's the other way around: America's pets are starting to look like Americans -- overweight.

Whether it's round hounds or corpulent cats, as many as one-fourth of cats and dogs in the Western world are overweight, according to a the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academies.

It's the council's first update since 1986 of its "Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats" and, while aimed at veterinarians, pet food makers and scientists, the 500-page report also contains useful pointers for people with pets.

Kathryn Michel, a veterinary nutritionist at the University of Pennsylvania, said she has noted more overweight pets in recent years, particularly cats, and the problem seems to occur at younger ages than in the past.

"A big problem that people don't always recognize," she said, is that pets "are members of our families, we show them affection, and one way is by sharing food and giving treats."

People don't have to ignore those hopeful eyes looking up, she says, just be careful. A piece of a biscuit will help bond with the animal just as much as the whole biscuit.

Like people, obese pets have a greater risk of developing such diseases as diabetes, heart disease and other health problems, said Donald C. Beitz, chairman of the committee that prepared the report.

Beitz, a professor of animal science at Iowa State University, said the new study adds a chapter on physical activity for pets and points out that the council has established a Web site for pet owners to learn more about nutrition for their animals, how to determine if they are overweight and suggestions for helping them lose weight.

The Web site can be accessed at http://national-academies.org/petdoor.

"Obesity is estimated to occur in 25 percent of dogs and cats in Westernized societies," the report states, noting that obesity increases with the age of the pet and occurs more frequently in neutered animals.

Cats, the report notes, are descended from carnivores, and their digestive system is designed for absorbing nutrients from animal-based proteins and fats.

A cat should not be fed a vegetarian diet because it could result in harmful deficiencies of certain amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins, the report says.

While dogs prefer animal-based food, they can survive on vegetarian diets as long as they receive sufficient protein and other nutrients, the report adds.

Cats like to snack, the report found, while dogs are gorgers.

In tests where animals were allowed to eat whenever they wanted, cats ate smaller meals, more often, than dogs.

Cats ate 12 to 20 meals, spread out through day and night, while dogs ate seven or eight times, mostly in daytime.

The report stresses that fresh water always should be available to dogs, especially during exercise, to prevent overheating.

It's fine to feed an adult dog just one or two times a day, but puppies need to eat two to three daily meals. Puppies, kittens and lactating dogs and cats need more daily calories, as may pets that are sick or injured.

Cats don't drink as much water as dogs, perhaps because cats evolved as desert animals. Given a choice, however, they usually will choose moist over dry food. The weak thirst of cats puts them at higher risk for urinary tract stones.

The report says owners should be able to feel the ribs of a healthy dog, and it should have a discernible waist without fat deposits. However, if the ribs and pelvic bones can be seen, it's too thin.

If a cat looks overweight, it is, the report says. There should be no heavy fat deposits on the back, face or limbs or a rounding of the abdomen.

Help them trim down by offering less of their usual food, cutting back on or eliminating table scraps. Also, within limits, offer foods with more fiber.

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Pets: How to help your fat dog

At least 25% are obese, but lean canines live longer -- and are friskier for you.


It's official: The obesity epidemic has gone to the dogs. A recent report on pet nutrition from the National Academy of Sciences has declared at least a quarter of dogs obese -- that's 20% or more over ideal weight.

If you really love your dog, get tough, experts say. An overweight dog is more likely to have arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory problems, pancreatitis, weakened immunity, anesthesia and surgical complications, and, most important, a shorter life.

Disorders related to obesity are the fourth leading cause of death for dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

In fact, restricting calories can stretch a dog's life an amazing 15%, shows a landmark study of Labrador retrievers. Labs fed 25% fewer calories -- 1,350 daily calories as adults -- lived an average 13 years, nearly two years longer than littermate Labs fed 1,750 calories. The leaner dogs were friskier, looked younger and had less cancer, osteoarthritis and liver disease. The overfed dogs showed earlier signs of disease and aging: graying muzzles, impaired gaits and reduced activity.

One problem: Owners don't realize their dogs are fat. In a study, 80% of a group of 200 dogs were judged obese by professionals. But 72% of the owners insisted their dog was just the right weight or even underweight.

How can you tell whether your dog is fat? The best way: Compare his shape with pictures of dogs of ideal weight, says veterinary nutrition expert Rebecca L. Remillard, of Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. A svelte dog has a visible "waist."

Next, run your hands over the dog's ribs. If they're covered with a slight excess of fat and not easily felt, the dog is likely overweight. If the ribs are difficult or impossible to feel through the fat, it is likely obese.

Much obesity can be blamed on the overfeeding of fatty dog foods and high-calorie treats, says Francis Kallfelz of Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine, who contributed to the National Academy of Sciences report.

He cites three other reasons for canine corpulence:

* With age, metabolism slows. Look for a middle-age spread after age 5.
* Spayed and castrated dogs tend to gain more weight than non-neutered dogs because of slightly lower metabolism, so feed less.
* Some dogs are just born with "fat genes" and need monitoring to stay slim.

If you notice your dog getting fat, immediately cut calories and increase activity. Preventing obesity is easier than correcting it. And new research shows that even moderate weight gain can harm your dog's health.

EatSmart columnist Jean Carper is researching a book on how to keep your dog healthy.


Calories in popular treats

Per piece
115: Milk-Bone, large
45: T Bonz
37: Purina One Beef Jerky Strips
33: Snausages
30: Beggin' Strips
20: Pup-Peroni
19: Nutro Max Mini Bones
13: Alpo Variety Snaps
10: Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats
For calories in 200 dog food varieties, visit jeancarper.com.

What dog food labels mean

Low-calorie, light or lite
Dry food: no more than 310 calories per 3.5 ounces (100 grams, about 1 cup).
Wet (canned) food: no more than 90 calories per 3.5 ounces (100 grams, about 1/2 cup).
Low-fat or lean
Dry food: no more than 9% fat.
Wet (canned) food: no more than 4% fat.
Reduced-calorie, less calories, reduced-fat, less fat

Less than another food, as shown by comparison on label. Example: "10% less fat than Joe's Regular Dog Food."
Source: Nestle Purina PetCare Co.

10 tips for dog weight loss

1. Control access to food. Feed at specific times and leave food out for 20 minutes, then take away whatever isn't eaten. Also, feed three or four smaller meals daily: Dogs that can eat 24 hours a day or that get one daily meal are more likely to be overweight.
2. Know the exact amounts you feed. Use standard measuring cups to scoop out dry food, and count cans of wet food. Also, keep track of snacks and "people food."
3. Adjust serving sizes to fit your dog. Feeding guidelines on packages are typically high. It's safe to cut back 15% to 25%, experts say.
4. Know what you're buying. Dogs tend to overeat high-fat foods. Check labels for "low-fat," "low-calorie," "light" or "lean." Canned food typically has more fat than dry.
5. Cut back on, or cut out, treats. Habitual treating ups a dog's odds of obesity by 50%, a new study says. Don't feed from the table. Give low-cal carrots, pieces of apple and air-popped popcorn. Break big treats into pieces.
6. No crash diets. These don't give permanent results.
7. Increase activity. In a study, a dog's odds of obesity dropped 10% for each added hour of exercise a week.
8. Add bulk. Specially formulated high-fiber dog foods can produce a feeling of fullness and reduce your dog's calorie intake, causing weight loss.
9. If your dog is overweight, cut what it eats by 25%. That should bring a slow, steady weight loss. Research shows dogs do best when they lose slightly more than 1% of body weight a week -- just 3 or 4 ounces for a 20-pound dog.
10. If your dog is obese (needs to lose 20% or more), see a vet. A vet can figure caloric needs and may prescribe a special weight-loss food. Be patient: It can take 18 months for an obese dog to safely regain a normal figure.

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