More Issues With Food And Family Pets
By JR Rogers, Fri Dec 9th

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Recently, I went back to discussing food issues in some detail.It is important to understand that we do have ways of helpingout pets not only with their diets, but with preventing thingsfrom happening long term.

Obesity in Pets and Ways to Deal with It Wehave discussed this before. Obesity is an issue for both humansand pets when talking about arthritis. Overweight pets are notonly more prone to developing arthritis, those who have jointrelated issues experience greater difficulties when obesity ispresent.

Simple Solutions When pets are young, and Irefer to those under the age of one, we put them at greater riskof obesity through our own actions. I think that most of us arelikely to feed them more and to provide "treats" because thisseems to satisfy both the pet and us. I mean, who can refusefood to a cute little dog or cat?

They are all little "beggars" at this stage. This is also thetime when their bodies are more prone to developing fat cells.Now, part of this is our own fault because we are more likely to"give in" when they are seeking food. Of course by doing so, weare setting in motion a long-term problem.

We Control the Future Here This pattern offeeding too much in the early years gives rise to long-termobesity. It is not found in animals that are living in the wild.They tend to be lean and this leads us to the conclusion that itis the domestic pets that suffer the greatest risk here.

Unfortunately, if we are over feeding our pets when they areyoung, we tend to continue this pattern. Even as they growbeyond this first year or so of life, we just keep giving in totheir demands. Of course, obesity

leaves pets more prone todeveloping medical conditions; and for our purposes, it makesthe development and management of more difficult.

The Best Prevention is Early Prevention Overfeeding in the younger years causes fat cells to build in yourpet. This pattern becomes aggravated by continuing this overfeeding in their adult years. As fat cells grow in the body theyare more difficult to control; and, the dangers for the pet arethat they will likely develop hip dysplasia or other arthritisrelated problems. In short, we are leading them into a life ofpain and discomfort when is considered.

If this is where you are now, what should you do? We have saidthis many times before but the nature of the diet is a factor.(See, other articles in this series) Exercise is critical. Whenyou combine obesity with an problem in pets, theysuffer.

Cutting Down Now This almost certainly meansfollowing different food regimens and cutting down the quantityof food you are giving your pets. I recommend trying to cut downabout 10-20% if you have a pet that has become obese. It is notgoing to be easy at first; they will beg for food. Justremember, it is in their best interest to resist.

Just watch that diet. Your pet will thank you many times overfor doing so. Of course, it may take some time for them torealize that they are the winners.

About the author:JR Rogers is the owner of Synflex America Inc. makers of Syn-flex, a premiumglucosamine formula for humans and household pets.

The author's statements have not beenevaluated by the FDA and are not provided to diagnose or tosuggest that liquid glucosamine and chondroitin will treat,cure, or prevent any disease.