In today's society, the overweight and obesity of domestic pets has become the focus of global attention. According to U.S. statistics, about 60% of pets have problems with overweight or obesity, making the United States the country with the hig...
In today's society, the overweight and obesity of domestic pets has become the focus of global attention. According to U.S. statistics, about 60% of pets have problems with overweight or obesity, making the United States the country with the highest pet epidemic rate in the world. Although there are no relevant statistical data in my country at present, it is conservatively estimated that the proportion of obesity in my country's pets will not be too low.
Many people think that hairy children are cute and fat, and this concept may stem from a misunderstanding of pet obesity. However, the harm of pet obesity cannot be ignored. In fact, almost all obesity problems encountered by humans also exist in pets. What’s worse is that certain problems will become more prominent in pets due to factors such as body structure.
Obesity can put a lot of pressure on the pet's joints. For pets with large size, their joints must bear extra weight, including the spine and limb joints. This additional stress can cause degenerative lesions in the joints, causing pain and even affecting the pet's ability to move. Once movement becomes inconvenient, pets are even more reluctant to exercise, which further aggravates the obesity problem and forms a vicious cycle.
Obacteria can also affect pets' respiratory system. In obese pets, a layer of fat several centimeters thick on the chest will form, which will seriously hinder the pet's normal breathing. If the pet's lungs cannot be effectively expanded, it may also experience symptoms such as coughing. To solve this problem, the only way is to help your pet lose weight.
Obacteria also increases the risk of diabetes in pets. Excess body fat can cause pets to produce too much insulin antibodies and reduce their sensitivity to insulin. For pets, managing their weight is a key factor in reducing the risk of diabetes. If your pet is too obese, it may also be at risk of fatty liver. When an obese pet cannot eat or lose appetite due to illness or other reasons, its liver cannot handle a large amount of body fat, which can easily lead to the formation of fatty liver and may even lead to liver failure.
In addition to health problems, obesity can also affect the lifespan of pets. A study of Labradors found that the average lifespan of normal-sized Labradors is 2.5 years longer than that of overweight individuals. Considering that the average life expectancy of dogs is only more than ten years, the 2.5-year gap is very significant. This means that in order to extend the lifespan of pets, we need to take steps to control their weight.
In addition, obesity can also cause difficulties in treating pets. Dietary adjustments may be necessary for obese pets who already suffer from certain diseases. However, these pets often do not adapt well to the replaced food, which becomes a barrier to treatment. In addition, obesity increases the risk of surgery and anesthesia. Because the pet is covered with thick fat, doctors may not be able to accurately calculate the dose of anesthetic medications required when anesthesizing an obese pet. In addition, anesthesia itself has the potential to inhibit respiration, and body fat can make it more difficult for pets to breathe. During abdominal surgery, due to abdominal fat accumulation, the difficulty of surgery will increase, which in turn will increase the risk of surgery.
In daily life, we may find fat pets cute when we see them, but in the eyes of doctors, these so-called "cute" are obstacles to treatment. If you really care about your pet and want it to be with you for a longer period of time, controlling its weight should be one of the most economical and effective means. Good living conditions are not the same as high-quality life. Keeping a pet scientifically should start with weight control. By eating a reasonable diet and exercising properly, we can help our pets stay healthy and extend their lifespan. Let us work together to care for our pets and give them the best care!
