A Little Extra Love Can Add Up

By Board Member Crystal Hanson

Confession - I have had more than one overweight pet in my life, and as I write this I’ve noticed our dogs harness is getting snug.  October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month, and this topic hits close to home.  I have loved it, I have fought it, I am trying to prevent it.

Why a healthy weight matters:

* Helps pets live longer - Reduces health risks

* Protects joints & mobility

* Makes breathing & activity easier

* Keeps them active & playful 

From experience, once the weight is on, it’s a struggle getting it back off.  One would think prevention should be an easier option, but it happens gradually- one extra treat here, a little reward there, maybe a little less activity.  We love our pets.  We want them to be happy and food is one of the ways we show love.  A treat feels like a small thing, and when they look at us with those eyes - well, it’s hard to say no.

But the little extras add up, and pet obesity can be easy to overlook because the weight can creep up slowly.  As we snuggle with them every day, gradual weight gain can be hard to notice.  We don’t see it happening in the early stages, and then one day there is a comment from a stranger “He looks like he doesn’t miss a meal”.  To us they don’t look “that” chunky.  Because the weight doesn’t suddenly appear one morning, our eyes adjust right along with the weight gain.

So when I noticed the harness for our dog Miles had become snug, I took a closer look at his ribs and waist.  Then I did a little investigating.  Our lovely neighbor who has been giving our dogs one treat every morning for the past 3 years started giving a second treat in the afternoon - because he couldn’t resist those eyes.  Then one evening I heard my husband ask the dogs if they would like a treat - well of course they said Yes.  So that was 3 treats in a day when I was only accounting for 1 treat when portioning their meals.  

Miles is a 20lb dog, so a small treat is a much larger portion of his daily calories than it appears, especially when it’s on a regular basis, and from more than one unknowing human treat dealer.  As of last week, Miles’ measured meals have been adjusted to take into account those treats.  I’m not taking away those treats (they are healthy ones) because he deserves to feel special, but he is getting a smaller dinner portion.

When it comes to treats and food, if we ask do they want it - of course they do.  The better question is do they need it?   Sometimes showing them love means saying no to those begging eyes.  Sometimes it means saying “ You’ve had enough buddy.”   

How else can we show our love?  

*A belly rub 

*A game of fetch

*A walk

This doesn’t mean they can’t have treats ever again.  But maybe we put them in a mentally enriching toy, or we use some of their kibble as a treat.

Pet Obesity Awareness Month is not about judging anyone’s choices or making pet owners feel guilty for showing their pets love. I don’t feel guilty about the overweight pets I’ve had.  I loved them, I cared for them, and I didn’t realize what was happening until we could see it in hindsight.  That’s why Pet Obesity Awareness month is about exactly that - Awareness.   This is your opportunity to take a look at your pet from above, feel their ribs, notice their waist.  Take a picture, compare it to other pictures.  And if you’re unsure if your pet is at a healthy weight, ask your veterinarian.  Because preventing excess weight is often much easier than trying to lose it later.