Pet Insurance. Obesity Is Cutting Many
Pets' Lives Short
by: Michael Challiner
Petplan, one of the UK's most popular pet insurers, has
revealed that 60% of pets can be considered obese.
Owners treat their beloved pets with what they feel will do
them good – fatty snacks, titbits from the table – in addition
to the large portions of food they already eat at mealtimes. As
a result, pet insurance claims due to health problems directly
related to being overweight are spiralling.
So what are the facts? Petplan insures 800,000 pets in the
UK, and in the last five years they have seen obesity related
health claims increase by 60%. The result - pet insurers could
start slashing payouts as a penalty if your pet is overweight.
So what health problems can an overweight pet experience?
Common problems include joint, ligament and tendon issues,
problems with breathing, overexertion on the heart, and
diabetes. Large, overweight cats can develop skin disorders
because they are not able to clean themselves properly. The
long-term effects on your pet's health and lifespan could be
disastrous.
It's not all bad news though – putting your pet on a diet is
a lot easier than doing the same to yourself. At least your pet
has no choice in the matter, and doesn't have to deal with the
temptation of the Indian takeaway after a hard day at the
office, or that second, third, fourth (!) glass of wine. Your
pet can only eat what it's given, so you can take control of the
situation. The weight of your pet is your responsibility, so if
it is overweight then it's your job to remedy the situation.
It's not all about food either, if you have an overweight dog
then take a bat and ball on the walk and really get that doggy
working out! It will do you some good too.
Here's how to tell if your pet needs to lose some weight. Of
course your pet will have a certain amount of padding, but there
shouldn't be too much. First off, rub your pet gently over their
ribs, you should be able to feel them without any trouble and
the skin should move over the ribs quite easily. Then take a
look at your pet from the side from a few metres away. If your
pet has a hanging stomach and looks like it could be expecting
some babies, then it's definitely time to introduce a diet. Your
pet's stomach should slope in to form an obvious waist area at
the bottom of the rib cage. Now stand over your pet and take a
look from above. If your pet's middle is bulging out to the
sides like an apple then it's carrying extra weight.
It's not just the four-legged friends either, birds can also
be overweight. Examine your bird for rolls of fat or a larger
than usual breast area.
Some breeds and species of pet have weight problems inherent
in their genetic make up.
For the dogs: Labradors, spaniels, beagles, corgis and
retrievers are all genetically predisposed to becoming
overweight, especially as they get older.
For the cats: less-active breeds, Persians for example, put
on weight as they don't do much exercise. Zany, fast moving
breeds like Abyssinians and Siamese usually keep the weight off.
For the birds: Amazon parrots are particularly prone to
piling on the ounces.
If you have just come to the conclusion that your pet is
overweight, don't be tempted to put your pet on a crash diet.
Cats can develop a fatal liver problem if their food rations are
suddenly cut and they lose weight at a fast rate.
Pets put on weight gradually so the reverse should be applied
and their food allowance should gradually be cut. Stop giving
them snacks between meals and stick rigidly to set mealtimes.
They'll soon get used to the new regime. You can also introduce
more exercise to help them get fitter and also improve their
quality of life. Ask your vet for advice on how best to put your
pet on a diet, and commit yourself to carrying it through. You
owe it to your pet.
Thanks for visiting go-pets.com
- it's a pet's world.