Pets
You Are What You Eat, And So Are Your Pets
By
Jul 10, 2006, 21:36

NC)-A recent survey* conducted by Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), revealed the eating habits of Canadian pets may be contributing to a growing pet obesity problem.

Dr. Marty Becker, veterinarian and author of Fitness Unleashed: A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together, says pet owners should pay attention to their pet's eating habits to help their pet lose and maintain its ideal weight.

The Grazer

More than one-third of pet owners classify their pet as a "grazer" - calmly picking at their food throughout the day. Generally, grazers are getting too much food. Consult with your veterinarian on how much and how often you should feed your pet.

The Vulture

One-quarter of pet owners stated their pet is likely to inhale food and beg for more. Becker recommends never feeding a begging pet from the table. Instead, take a minute to rub the animal's belly or play a chase game - it's likely all the pet wants is a little attention!

The Garbage Can

Eleven per cent of pet owners said their pet eats anything in sight - food or not! To ensure the pet isn't actually starving, space meals throughout the day. Your veterinarian can help determine your pet's required daily food intake.

The Human Wannabe

Nearly one in five (18 per cent) said that eating human food was their animal's quirk. But pet owners might not be aware that some human foods may be harmful to their pets. Chocolate, onions, garlic, and chives can cause intestinal irritation, while foods high in salt can cause sodium ion poisoning. Even some fruits, like raisins and grapes, have been associated with acute kidney failure in dogs.

The skinny on light pet foods

Laura Kiemele, veterinarian technician, provides the following tips on feeding an overweight pet.

. Feed only the amount of food recommended by your veterinarian or by the suggested serving on the food packaging.

. Measure food carefully using a measuring cup to avoid overfeeding.

. Consider cutting your pet's treats in half to control the daily calorie intake.

. Ensure your pet food meets the "light" labelling standards outlined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Hill's Pet Nutrition offers a variety of products designed to aid in weight loss and weight maintenance in pets, which meet AAFCO's light labelling standards.

For more information please visit www.petfit.com and www.animalhealthcare.ca.

*The survey was conducted by Decima TeleVox and sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. It was based on a total of 1,025 respondents across Canada, aged 18 and older, between March 31, 2005 and April 4, 2005. The results have a margin of error of +/-3.1 per cent

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