Doggy diets
Diet, exercise are the key to lean pooch
Even pooches need to watch what they eat, as 56 percent of American dogs are overweight. Overall, diet and exercise are the keys to keeping man’s best friend lean.
Idon’t let my wheaten terrier, Teddy, eat human food. And I try to make sure he walks at least a mile a day. So when my vet said “He’s looking a little chubby” at a recent checkup, after Teddy gained 7 pounds in about as many months, I freaked out.
Overweight dogs are becoming increasingly common all over the United States. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56 percent of American dogs — and 60 percent of cats — were classified as overweight in a 2017 clinical survey. And overweight dogs have shorter life expectancies, as well as higher risk of hip issues and other ailments.
“We have strong evidence that being overweight diminishes the quality of life for dogs,” said APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. “They have difficulty going to the bathroom, no energy for walks, and they can’t jump on the bed. All those things make your dog’s life more miserable.”
And that’s not what I want for my best friend, Teddy. So I asked Ward and other veterinarians how best to curb Teddy’s curves, before it’s too late.
“The trend toward obesity in domesticated pets really has emerged over the past 40 to 50 years,” said Ward, who authored “Chow Hounds,” a book on this topic, back in 2010.
There are several factors in play. But the top two, according to Ward, revolve around food and exercise. Pet foods have become packed with way more calories per ounce than they used to be; at the same time, rising urbanization means that more pets have been relegated to living in houses or apartments with less access to big yards.
Obviously, this means diet and exercise are going to be key in helping Teddy.