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Piling on the pounds can result in health problems for cats and dogs

As we become less active and eat more, our pets are also piling on the pounds.

'It's very common worldwide especially for middle-aged pets,' says Andrew Pilling, a veterinarian at the Hung Hom Veterinary Clinic.

The problem is due in part to Hong Kong's restrictive, small living environment. 'Some owners are also scared about infection and disease.

And in Hong Kong, owners equate being fat with being happy, it's hard to convince them otherwise. But it's a disease their pet suffers from,' he says.

With excess weight, a host of related problems start to appear such as joint diseases in the hips and shoulders, mainly in dogs, and respiratory problems, such as difficulty in breathing, because of pressure around the lungs, Pilling explains.

Heart disease is another complication as the extra weight and pressure around the heart makes pumping the blood around the body more difficult.

Genetics play yet another factor in whether you've got a portly pooch. Commonly overweight dog breeds include Labradors, Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and small breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, Pilling says. 'Often as they get older, they tend to get more overweight, particularly female dogs.'

These days, most cats spend a typical day lying around the apartment. Pilling advises cat owners to play with their felines more, stimulating them to be more active.

In addition to joint problems and decreased activity, overweight cats are also predisposed to diabetes.

How can you tell if your pet needs to slim down? For an easy at-home weight test, you should be able to feel your pet's ribs with slight pressure using the flat of your hands. 'They shouldn't be sticking out,' Pilling says. 'But if they are fat, you can't even feel that ribs are there.'

Being able to see a waistline from the side of your dog, or from above, is another quick test. If you can't see a waistline, it's time to take your dog to the vet - don't try to reduce the weight yourself, Pilling advises. 'You might end up with a pet that is hungry or deficient in certain nutrients.'

By having your pet checked by a veterinarian, actual health problems that cause obesity can be ruled out, which only accounts for less than 1 per cent of weight issues. 'We can do a proper weight-loss programme... Give your pet a health check and give the owner a target weight - advising how much weight should be lost over time,' Pilling says.

He adds there are two approaches to slimming down your pet: a high-fibre, high-protein diet restricting carbohydrates; and an Atkins-type diet comprising high fat, high protein and low carbohydrates, mainly for meat-eating cats.

The latter approach shifts the pet's metabolism to burn the protein and fat, and it can 'still satisfy them'.

Veterinarian Kylie Griffin, at The Ark Veterinary Clinic, once treated a 12kg Shih Tzu, so big that it couldn't walk. 'We put it on a strict diet and the weight came down. It was walking within the first month, it was amazing,' she says.

Griffin agrees pets respond better to a lower carb diet with a high protein and high fibre. She says popular high-fibre pet food brands include Hill's and Royal Canin.

Going on a diet

HILL'S

Hill's Prescription Diet products contain carnitine, which enhances the success of weight control programmes. Its products, r/d and w/d, are low in fat and high in fibre, helping pets feel satisfied while limiting calories. Hill's m/d products help cats raise their metabolism to lose weight.

Prices HK$400/10lbs (dry dog food), HK$240/4lbs (dry cat food), HK$30 (canned food).

ROYAL CANIN

Royal Canin's Obesity line products are formulated with high protein for dogs of different breeds and with special needs.

Prices HK$119/1.5kg (dry dog food), HK$180/1.5kg (dry cat food)

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