National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is a chance for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) to call attention to your pet’s growing waistband. Unknowingly, pet owners put their animals at medical risk if they do not closely watch their diets.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)—a group of veterinarians who created the annual awareness day—overweight and obese pets are an issue across America with an estimated 54 percent of dogs and cats facing the problem.
The key to helping your pet live a long and healthy life lies with you. Make sure diets consist of a brand and serving size appropriate for breed and size recommended by your veterinarian. Exercise them accordingly, dependent on breed and how much they can endure. And most of all, refrain from awarding them with “people-food.”
Tracy Colvin, DVM, of Southwest Texas Veterinary Medical Center in Uvalde, says that unfortunately more than half of the patients she sees are overweight. This can be caused by several factors and can lead to various health risks. “Clients don’t realize sugary or unhealthy treats can turn into arthritis, and cranial cruciate ligament—also known as tears due to weakened joints,” said Dr. Colvin. “Long-term effects can be linked to diabetes, metabolic disease and even shortened life expectancy.”
In fact, on the APOP website is a “Pet Weight Translator” that compares certain weights of certain breeds of dogs and cats to people. For instance, did you know that a 12-pound Yorkie is the same as a female who weighs 218 pounds? See this resource here: http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-translator/.
The APOP also has a great guide for “Ideal Pet Weight Ranges.” See how your pet measures up at http://www.petobesityprevention.com/ideal-weight-ranges/.
For more information listen to this podcast, Preventing Pet Obesity (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/texvetpets/id288859464), by TVMA or watch this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC7pMMpP2jQ) featuring the debut of TC, TVMA’s famous office cat, on Animal Planet.
About APOP
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has launched campaigns to fight pet obesity within the veterinary medical community, veterinary schools, and state and local veterinary organizations, and has reached out to various media outlets. They are made up of dedicated veterinarians and veterinary healthcare personnel who are committed to making the lives of pets and people healthier and more vital.
About TVMA
Founded in 1903, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association composed of more than 3,700 veterinarians committed to protecting public health, promoting high educational, ethical and moral standards within the veterinary profession, and educating the public about animal health and its relationship to human health. For more information, call 512/452-4224 or visit www.tvma.org.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)—a group of veterinarians who created the annual awareness day—overweight and obese pets are an issue across America with an estimated 54 percent of dogs and cats facing the problem.
The key to helping your pet live a long and healthy life lies with you. Make sure diets consist of a brand and serving size appropriate for breed and size recommended by your veterinarian. Exercise them accordingly, dependent on breed and how much they can endure. And most of all, refrain from awarding them with “people-food.”
Tracy Colvin, DVM, of Southwest Texas Veterinary Medical Center in Uvalde, says that unfortunately more than half of the patients she sees are overweight. This can be caused by several factors and can lead to various health risks. “Clients don’t realize sugary or unhealthy treats can turn into arthritis, and cranial cruciate ligament—also known as tears due to weakened joints,” said Dr. Colvin. “Long-term effects can be linked to diabetes, metabolic disease and even shortened life expectancy.”
In fact, on the APOP website is a “Pet Weight Translator” that compares certain weights of certain breeds of dogs and cats to people. For instance, did you know that a 12-pound Yorkie is the same as a female who weighs 218 pounds? See this resource here: http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-translator/.
The APOP also has a great guide for “Ideal Pet Weight Ranges.” See how your pet measures up at http://www.petobesityprevention.com/ideal-weight-ranges/.
For more information listen to this podcast, Preventing Pet Obesity (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/texvetpets/id288859464), by TVMA or watch this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC7pMMpP2jQ) featuring the debut of TC, TVMA’s famous office cat, on Animal Planet.
About APOP
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has launched campaigns to fight pet obesity within the veterinary medical community, veterinary schools, and state and local veterinary organizations, and has reached out to various media outlets. They are made up of dedicated veterinarians and veterinary healthcare personnel who are committed to making the lives of pets and people healthier and more vital.
About TVMA
Founded in 1903, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association composed of more than 3,700 veterinarians committed to protecting public health, promoting high educational, ethical and moral standards within the veterinary profession, and educating the public about animal health and its relationship to human health. For more information, call 512/452-4224 or visit www.tvma.org.