Are you \'loving\' your pet into an early grave?

**AJE** · 09-26-2007, 10:00 AM

Are you 'loving' your pet into an early grave?
By Joan Shim

The growing obesity problem doesn't exclude pets.

"We are seeing so many overweight dogs and cats, and it's sad because their weight levels are completely manageable with diet changes," says Dr. Kristine Yee, a veterinarian at California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles.

But pet owners are often slow to admit that their animals need to shed pounds.

Are you 'loving' your pet into an early grave? - CNN.com

**AJE** · 09-26-2007, 10:03 AM

The FAT test

• Run your hands across the chest of the dog or cat. You should always be able to feel their ribs but not see them. There should never be a layer of fat over the ribs.

• Look at the standing dog or cat from a bird's eye view. They should have what looks like a waist that tucks in right in front of the hips.

**MrKhay** · 09-26-2007, 10:45 AM

Animals need exercise, along with proper diet. Animals are not naturally lazy or lethargic. If your pet just lays around and gets fat, it might be sick, or not getting the necessary nutrients in their diet.
Feed them well, but not over feed, and walk them around the block...keeps their metabolism high, and healthy.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-28-2007, 05:54 PM

Part of becoming a State Certified Humane Officer ment I had to spend the day learning how to body score animals...........all sorts of breeds, from domestic to live stock.

Here is a good link showing pics and explaination of body score for canine and feline

CatHelp-Online :: Feline and Canine Body Condition Score Chart

Carol

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-28-2007, 05:57 PM

I also have this great chart for those who have pet pigs.......

It's a body score chart as well. I got this from one of my veterinarian symposiums I attended a few years back.

For the life of me I can't figure out how to share photo's in posts now, so if anyone is really interested in seeing the body score of a pig, just hollar and I can send it to your private email accnt.

Carol

Kelly68 · 09-29-2007, 06:08 PM

Funny I have a big orange male named Tony. He goes about 23 lbs. He eats just as much as the others that weigh about 10-14 lbs. He does not sit at the food dish all day and eat. If he did that then there would be an answer to why he is so big. He is very stocky. All bone and not much fat.

Here he is..one of his favorite past times..watching the fish.