Obesity

Your pet has an overweight problem. This may be very detrimental to his or her health and can contribute to many medical disorders:

1. 24% of obese pets have walking problems:

• arthritis
• slipped discs in the back
• torn joint ligaments (especially in the knee)

2. Respiratory (breathing) difficulties - decreased endurance with exercise. 

3. Heart problems - congestion due to work overload.

4. Liver disease - a result of fat invasion of the organ.

5. Dystocia - difficulty in giving birth.

6. Diabetes - lack of the ability to regulate blood sugar.

7. Heatstroke - decreased ability to control internal body heat.

8. Skin problems - especially oily skin and poor hair coat.

9. Digestive system problems - excessive gas and constipation in particular.

10. Anal gland infections and impactions due to poor rectal muscle strength.

11. Lowered resistance to diseases - overweight pets are sick more often.

12. Increased risk with surgery and anesthetics. 

Obesity REDUCES YOUR PET’S LIFE SPAN and general enjoyment of life!!!!

The primary causes of obesity are:

• Overeating
• Lack of adequate exercise - even if the pet is walked daily
• Lowered metabolism - often seen after neutering
• Emotional trauma - stress in the home for extended periods
• Brain problems - especially with the appetite control center
• Hormone imbalances - poor thyroid gland function in particular

Less than 5% of overweight problems are due to the last three factors listed above.

**THE MAJOR CAUSE OF OBESITY IS LACK OF SUFFICIENT EXERCISE AND/OR EXCESSIVE FOOD INTAKE**