Today's the day to weigh pets

If you own a fat cat or a hog of a dog then today is the day to check your pet's weight.

Today is Pet Obesity Awareness Day.

Dr Liza Schneider, president of the Complementary Veterinary Medicine Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, wants owners to check their pet's weight today.

The Tauranga vet estimated up to a third of New Zealand's cats and dogs were overweight or obese.

''Many of our pets are prone to being overweight or obese and it is up to owners to make sure they are getting what they need and not feeding them calorie-full, nutrient-poor foods.''

Potential issues arising from carrying extra weight included osteoarthritis and joint pain, cardiac and respiratory conditions and diabetes.

Having a healthy pet was as simple as providing the right nutrition in the right portion size and ensuring the animal was exercised every day, Dr Schneider said.

Humanimals practice manager Marie Hennessy said a dog's diet could be restricted more easily than a cat's, because some cats visited their neighbours for food.

Mrs Hennessy said her cat regularly visited three houses for food, so it was a neighbourhood effort to maintain the animal's weight.

''We all know to limit his calories.''

A dog needed to be walked at least twice a day and a cat should be played with regularly to keep it active. Pets could be given treats in moderation, she said.

''It's OK to have a treat now and again, but when the treats become the norm, that's when it becomes more of a challenge,'' Mrs Hennessy said.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement