Pet owners warned sharing human food with furry friends causes obesity

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Veterinary nurse Sarah Chew talks about assessing your pet's weight, and why obesity is a problem.

Have you thought about putting your pooch on a paleo-diet?

A study by Southern Cross Pet Insurance has found a significant number of New Zealand's furry friends are overweight.

According to the June 2016 study, 11 per cent of dogs and 15 per cent of cats are overweight.

A morbidly obese Texas dachshund once dubbed 'Fat Vincent', because his belly was so large it hit the ground when he walked, is seen at an animal shelter prior to dropping half his body weight.

The survey also probed 2,006 pet owners on their fondness for sharing human food with their animals. The study is being highlighted to mark Pet Obesity Awareness Day on October 12.

**READ MORE:

Fat pets not only live shorter lives but are likely to suffer a myriad of health issues, such as joint damage, diabetes and heart conditions.

* A third of pets in New Zealand are overweight

* Overweight dog living large in first class cabin

* Fat cats more of a problem than obese dogs**

Head of Southern Cross Pet Insurance Anthony McPhail said it was important that generous owners understood this was adding to their pet's weight.

'A bit of your lunch here and there is the equivalent of an extra meal for an animal and can add up to significant weight gains.

'This puts a lot of stress on the animal's joints, and can lead to diabetes, heart conditions and generally a shorter life span.'

Of the owners surveyed, 76 per cent of dog owners and 25 per cent of cat owners reported they would feed their pet human food.

'The health risks of obesity for a pet are significant and can be costly – if you think your animal is overweight you need to discuss it with your vet and put a plan in place to fix it.'

He said weight related claims, such as ligament damage, were some of the most common they received - and could total between $300 and $1400.

Toxicity was another concern. Pets could be poisoned by human foods such as onions and chocolate.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in the United States, which also supports Pet Obesity Awareness Day, counducted a similar survey in 2015 which found just over half of all dogs and almost 60 per cent of cats in the US were overweight or obese.

How much should my pet weigh?

The ideal weight for your pet depends on the species, breed and sex. But there are some rules of thumb.

Minimal fat should cover the ribs of your dog or cat, you should be able to feel the ribcage, but not see it. Your pet's waist should be easily identified when looking from above, and it's abdomen tucked up when looking from the side.

If this assessment doesn't reassure you, there are online calculators which break down healthy weights per breed.

In terms of meal portion size, don't trust the recommendation given by the producer of your pet's food. Talk to your vet about how much your pet really needs.

How many Kiwi pet owners share their food:

* Leftovers from dinner - 76 per cent of dog owners, 57 per cent of cat owners.

* A bite of lunch - 25 per cent of dog owners, 18 per cent of cat owners.

* Most things eaten - 13 per cent of dog owners, 6 per cent of cat owners.

* Ice cream - 6 per cent of dog owners, 11 per cent of cat owners.

* Chocolate - 2 per cent of dog owners, 3 per cent of cat owners.

* Other - 17 per cent of dog owners, 33 per cent of cat owners.