Pudgy pets need our
help to get healthy

Is Fido a couch potato? Is Fluffy a fat cat? Cats and dogs need exercise just like we do. They can become overweight and sluggish. Those extra pounds can cause serious health problems for pets, so the best advice is to notice any slight weight gain and correct it early. As diet and exercise is important for people, it is also important for pets.

So what is considered overweight, and how can it be recognized? According to Dr. Clifton Hashimoto of VCA Family Animal Hospital, 10 percent fat over a pet's ideal body weight is considered overweight, and hitting the 20 percent mark represents the onset of obesity. This may not seem like a considerable amount of weight, but because a pet's body mass is less than a person's, 10 to 20 percent extra weight can be significant. An extra five pounds on a dog whose ideal weight is 25 pounds or an extra two pounds on a cat whose ideal weight is 10 pounds add up to 20 percent.

A healthy pet should have a definite figure with a waist that is smaller than its chest and hips. Its ribs should easily be felt and its abdomen should be trim. If it is difficult to feel your pet's ribs or if his belly hangs low, he is probably overweight. If dogs and cats are sedentary, they don't burn off the calories they consume, and the pounds can add up fast. It is also important to note that aging animals experience a decrease in their metabolism, which may cause plumping around their middles.

THESE DAYS, people spend less time at home because of their busy lives. This can sometimes mean less time spent on activities with their favorite animal friends. People can exercise or go on diets when they feel pudgy, but animals cannot. It is up to pet owners to look after their pets' health and fitness levels, and correct weight issues when they occur.

An overweight or obese pet has an increased risk of developing serious illnesses. Like humans, some common problems in overweight cats and dogs are heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, urinary tract infection, hypothyroidism and certain forms of cancer.

Regular trips to the veterinarian are recommended for monitoring weight gain and other health-related issues.

"My biggest concern with obese cats is diabetes," said Dr. Carlene Takushi, veterinarian at the Hawaiian Humane Society. "If your cat is overweight, it increases the chances of becoming diabetic, and there is a potential for liver problems. I've seen more of this in cats than in dogs, but dog owners should be careful too."

Like human diet and exercise regimens, a pet's weight loss should be a gradual process that begins with a trip to the doctor. A veterinarian can create an exercise schedule and recommend a diet that will allow the pet to shed pounds at a moderate rate. Start out slowly when introducing new activities and food. As the months go by, increase movement and decrease calorie intake.

To keep your pet's digestive system on an even keel, new lower-calorie foods should be slowly substituted for its regular diet. Pets do not experience boredom when they are fed the same thing every day -- it is actually the best way to keep their systems sound and fit -- so you can eliminate table scrap treats altogether. Human foods contain too much fat for pets and could wreak havoc on their digestive systems, causing indigestion and stomach aches; bones could get lodged in the throat. Switch to treats that are nutritious and promise lower calories and less fat. Overall, keep treats to a minimum and decrease the food in an amount proportionate to the day's treats.

Hand in hand with a lower-calorie diet is increasing your furry friend's exercise level. Tempt dogs by tossing a ball or a favorite toy, playing in the yard or taking them to a park or beach that is dog-friendly; there are more than 150 on-leash locations on Oahu.

Use your imagination to entice cats to move more by playing with toys, feathers and laser pointers. Owners can also create a multi-level cathouse to encourage jumping and leaping. Another suggestion is to think about adopting another cat because indoor cats tend to keep each other active.

In addition, dog owners are welcome to join the Humane Society's Paws on the Path group for a hike with Fido the last Saturday of each month.

And cats can be trained to go on short walks too, wearing a fashionable cat walking jacket.

A good diet, plenty of playtime and exercise, enhanced with an endless supply of tender loving care, is the perfect recipe for keeping pets happy and healthy for a lifetime.

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