Macon Magazine

104 l Macon Magazine october/noveMber 2013 Answering questions about your four-footed family member eDitor'S note: tailsSpin store owners, Jusak yang bernhard and Jeff Manley, answer readers' questions about pet ownership and care. Send your questions to maconmag@maconmagazine.com or post them on the Macon Magazine Facebook page. tailsSpin is a pet store located in downtown Macon on Mulberry Street. the store, which also has two other locations, was recently recognized as "retailer of the year: employee relations and training" by pet product new international Magazine. e column serves as a forum for providing information for the betterment of our pets, but always consult your veterinarian for extended discussions regarding your pet. A Weighty Issue for Pets Here's a scenario that we can all relate to – you're enjoying a meal while your cat or dog is staring intently at you. You glance back at him or her and think "How can I deny that cute face?" So you share some of your food. Maybe it's because you have already stuffed yourself and can't finish your meal, or you just want to reward your pet. Food feels like a quick reward for both of you. But, as far as your pet is concerned, realize that the food you've just given is most likely full of sugar and carbohydrates that are not nutritious for your cat or dog. Too much of this rewarding can lead to your pet gaining unnecessary pounds. No one likes the thought of being called fat. e problem lies in the sensitivity of the issue. It's just human nature that we don't like being told that we are overweight or obese, even though we realize the health risks we are putting ourselves in. Loving your pets like your own children conjures up this sensitivity as well. We take offense when we are told that our pets are obese and in need of losing weight. With pets, just as in humans, the problem stems from lack of exercise and from overeating, especially unhealthy snacks and foods. is delicate issue of obesity can be awkward to discuss between veterinarians and pet owners, as it may seem to imply the owners have done something wrong. Some respond defensively or see it as a reflection of their own lack of exercise and struggles. A recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention shows that more than half of dogs and cats in America are obese. With about 170 million pets, it is estimated that 41 million dogs and 47 millions cats are overweight. ese extra pounds can lead to costly health problems. Heart disease and diabetes are common in pets that are obese, as it is with their two- legged counterparts. According to Petplan USA, a pet insurance company, it costs more than $900 to care for a diabetic dog or cat. Treatment for arthritis and ligament tears from pets who are overweight and have weak joints contribute an average of $2,000 to vet bills. In 2011, pet owners insurance claims increased 253 percent for diabetes, more than 30 percent for heart diseases and approximately 350 percent for arthritis claims. e risk of pet obesity can be increased by genetics, high-fat diets, overeating, lack of exercise and health problems such as hypothyroidism. For pets, gaining a few pounds can add a lot of stress to their bones and organs, because of their smaller bodies. ese extra pounds may also contribute to a shorter lifespan. Technically speaking, common health problems may include: orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, abnormalities in circulating lipid profiles, cardiorespiratory disease, urinary disorders, reproductive disorders, neoplasia (mammary tumors, transitional cell carcinoma), dermatological diseases and anesthetic complications. Pet owners should consult with their veterinarian when determining an ideal weight or diet regiment for their pets. To help make educated decisions regarding weight ranges for different breeds, visit e Association of Pet Obesity's website at http://www.petobesityprevention.com/ ideal-weight-ranges/. It's important to analyze what you are feeding your pets by simply reading the printed labels and guaranteed analyses on the bags. Determining calorie content may be more of a challenge, as manufacturers aren't required to provide this information. You may want to check their websites for more detailed information or call their customer service desk and ask. As always, we feel that corn, wheat or soy are used as cheap fillers. e use of these carbohydrates requires owners to feed their pets more cups of kibble to get the needed nutrients, therefore, adding to a higher caloric intake. petsperts

• Cover