The Hindu : International : America's plump pets

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 24, 2004

International

International

America's plump pets

WEST PALM BEACH, JUNE 23. The only evidence of the waddling and the slowness and the shortness of breath is two small rectangles of shaven hair enveloping two inch-long scars. That is where the veterinarian sucked the fat from Pumpkin's hips. ``It was about three quarters of a pound of fat,'' confided its owner. ``Before, it was really an effort for her to walk.''

Now it trots, a little brown sausage of a Chihuahua on four short, sturdy legs. On a recent visit to the animal hospital, it weighed 11.4 pounds, down from 12.1. That is good progress, said the vet, but Pumpkin — how to put this delicately? — is still one whopping Chihuahua. Perhaps a firmer hand in monitoring and doling out the food? ``How the hell can I measure calories for a dog?'' asked the owner.

Pumpkin is not alone in its plumpness. America's pets, like their owners, are fat. A recent study of 1,200 dogs and cats found 57 per cent of all pets surveyed to be overweight. The reasons for pet obesity are varied. But the result is this: a life span shortened, on average, by two years. ``The best thing you can do is don't let your pets get overweight,'' the vet said. ``But if they are, work on getting the weight off. We need to control what they eat.''

That can be hard, said another vet, because pet owners tend to equate food with love. They reward their pets for being so good with high-fat treats. And many pets do not get enough exercise: the owners find it tough to take their pets out for a walk or to play. Another problem is that people get very defensive about their pets. Often, when the vet gently suggests a pet is overweight, the sputtering starts: But... he is not fat, he is fluffy. He is big-boned. He is just right.

And that fact made Stan Burgner pause in justifying why his cat, Chloe, weighs 12.5 pounds. ``That's not bad,'' he started, then glanced down at the irritated, long-haired feline hunkered on an examining table. "She is fluffy, true, but she could stand to lose a little," he finally admitted. The vet suggested measuring Chloe's low-calorie food and giving it twice a day, rather than always keeping the dish full. The vet advised the owner that Pumpkin and her other dog, Angel, just the low-calorie food, rather than mixing it with chicken. Also, maybe cut down on the treats and try not to share the morning croissant with Pumpkin? But the owner protested: ``I don't think chicken is bad for them.''

``Remember, it is our overall calorie content that we have to think about it,'' the vet said. ``I think maybe they are eating a little bit more than we realise.''

The owner shrugged. It is just that the kiddos like their dessert of a dog cookie, which they get after making a poop, she said.

The treats had to go when Maggie, a yellow Labrador, began packing on weight after surgery last year. Maggie had stepped on broken glass, so after surgery it could not walk. It mainly sat on a pillow and got pampered. And fat. Once it healed, it could not run around, because it got tired. So Maggie was started on a regimen of low-carbohydrate, high-protein dog food and has, in the past three weeks, lost 4 pounds. It also goes on longer walks with Pongo, a Dalmatian in the house, who has lost 10 pounds in the past few months.

``A lot of times you don't realize the pounds are creeping on,'' the vet said. ``And we tend to think animals look cute when they're a little chubby. But it can affect their health and their life span, so we have to be in control of their weight.'' If that means Pumpkin doesn't get her cookies, then that's how it has to be.

- New York Times News Service

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