I read a great book recently called The Secret Life of Dogs. In it, the author observed her dogs over their lifetime and came up with some amazing conclusions about how domesticated dogs still operate under the primal code of the wolf pack. With this new information in mind, I have started observing our Chihuahuas, Sox and Bruiser, much more closely now. We just got Bruiser a few months ago, and from the time he arrived I could tell there was a contest for dominance. I know they see my wife and me as the "dominant pair" to put it in pack terms (At least I hope they do). However, they seem to disagree over who's ranked third and fourth in the family. I never realized how important this is to a dog. They're whole life is literally shaped by what their place is in the pack. This explains the constant stealing of toys and mounting that goes on between the two boys. Even simple things like rawhide bones have become territory and possesions to be fought over. The fighting has rarely become vicious, and it usually consists of the two of them racing to see who gets the piece of bacon that fell to the ground or hording all of the bones. Researchers say that it is the same way for wolves. Vicious fighting could lead to injury and death, which would weaken the pack, so contests for dominance become more ritualistic than anything. It's quite amazing to see these ancient canine behaviors coming through in two little lap dogs. Hopefully they'll come to a conclusion soon. They're going to flip when we actually have kids.
Has the Obesity Epidemic Reached America’s Pets?
Posted by Grant at 11:51 AM Thursday, September 16, 2004Many Americans today live with being overweight or obese, and recent studies show that America’s pets are now suffering from these problems as well. Obesity became a serious problem for Americans in the 1990's when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 61% rise in the number of obese Americans and a 49% rise in the number of Americans with diabetes. These data are directly related to the fact that during this rise, 27.3% of people did not engage in any physical activity at all. It seems that Americans just don’t like or don’t have time for exercising. The average American diet only makes the situation worse. The enormous fast food industry has become an unhealthy pillar of American culture over the past decade. The crucial difference between human and Pet Obesity is that pets don’t have control over their diet or exercise program. People that abuse their own bodies with poor food and exercise choices seem to be passing that abuse on to their pets. The National Academy of Science said that today 1 in 4 pets are overweight while other surveys say that as many as 40% of dogs and 12% of cats presented at clinics are either overweight or obese. It seems as though American’s bad lifestyle habits have started to affect man’s best friends. Many medical problems have been linked to obesity both in humans and animals. Heart disease and diabetes are just a few ailments on a long list of problems related to being overweight. Pets are known to also suffer from joint disease, stroke and fatigue at much higher rates when overweight. So what can pet owner’s do to help their furry loved ones live longer, healthier lives? It boils down to the same to the same two things for Americans and their pets, diet and exercise.
For any weight loss program, human or animal, diet is the first essential part. The first step is to consult with a veterinarian to ensure that the weight gain is not related to a medical condition such as hypothyroidism. The vet will also help construct a diet plan specific to the pets needs. A common misconception is that healthy dogs and cats must eat every day when in fact they do not. Smaller breeds are an exception, but even then pet owners must take care not to overfeed. This being said, the easiest way to cut calories is to simply reduce the amount the pet eats. One method is to reduce a pet’s daily food intake by one third. If in two weeks there is no weight loss, then the amount should be reduced by a third again until results are seen. It may seem cruel, but it’s crucial to remember that they will live much better lives for it. Things such as sugary foods and table scraps should never be allowed in a pet’s diet, and pet treats should be given in moderation. Another issue to consider is the effectiveness of specially formulated, low-calorie pet food. With the rise of Pet Obesity, pet food companies raced to offer the public low-calorie alternatives. Some veterinarians say the low fat and high fiber content is beneficial, however, there are others that attest the amount of carbohydrates is far too high. As many low-carb dieters know, high carbs equal high insulin levels which leads to the storage of fat.
The other necessary part of battling pet obesity is to increase their daily amount of exercise. This means giving more walks for dogs and more playtime for cats and dogs. While it’s suggested that people work out 30 minutes most days of the week, dogs need about 45 minutes to an hour of good exercise every day. This requires commitment and love on the part of the owner, but as an incentive, the pets who don’t exercise have been shown to shorten their life span by as much as two years and suffer many more ailments. Besides walking, playtime is an excellent opportunity for pet exercise and for human entertainment. This is as simple as investing in good pet toys. For cats, cat nip toys have been shown to especially encourage a flurry of activity. If an owner sticks to giving their pet the best diet and exercise, they will enrich the pet’s life and their own as well.
The Pet Supplies you need to help your pet live a healthy life can be found at Little Pampered Pets. An online pet supply store that specializes in providing products to enrich your pets life. For a healthy dog treat alternative, try Nylabone Healthy Edibles. If your pet has more discerning tastes, try the Gourmet Cat and Dog Treats. They're made from all natural New Zealand meat and are high in protein. To promote an active lifestyle, Little Pampered Pets has a wide selection of quality Cat and Dog Toys. The Air Kong Donut is a great way for your dog to get some exercise and have fun. All these Pet Supplies and more can be found at Little Pampered Pets, where there are quality Pet Supplies for the pampered pet. And where we know your pets are family.
You've probably heard about spaying and neutering your pets many times before, but a subject this important bears repeating. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates on their web site that "In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats, one female dog & her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs."
With these numbers, it's easy to see how our nation is facing an overpopulation problem among stray cats and dogs. The saddest part is that the strays are the ones that suffer the most. The HSUS also "estimates the number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year between 8 to 10 million, with 4 to 5 million being euthanized." All of these pointless deaths were caused because people chose not to spay or neuter their pets. It's ironic how such a simple decision can have such a huge impact.
If these scary statistics aren't enough to convince you of the need for spaying and neutering, then you should know that your pets will have longer and healthier lives after the procedure. Those pets who aren't fixed live at a high risk of developing either testicular or ovarian cancer among other related diseases. Many people ask the question "why should I spay or neuter?". In light of this information, the real question should be "how can I not spay or neuter, when there is so much suffering of innocent animals in this country?"
Let me know what you think. Please add any comments you may have about spaying and neutering.
Grant Carroll
Find Pet Supplies - at Little Pampered Pets.com