Fat Cats and Portly Pooches?

Hi all,

I am working on an article on obesity in animals for ObesityHelp Magazine. Have any of you (like me) had an animal with a weight problem?
If so...
What was your pet eating when it gained weight?
How often was it fed? (did you free-feed?)
What did you do to help your pet lose weight?
Did your pet develop obesity co-morbidities?
Did those co-morbidities resolve when the weight came off?

I'd love to hear from you.

Send me high-res pictures if you would like us to consider printing a picture of your pet in the magazine or on the magazine website when the article goes to print.

Please reply to this post or send me an e-mail at [email protected].

Thanks!!!

Nikki Johnson
Managing Editor
ObesityHelp Magazine

Hi Nikki- Well I must admit my dogs love to eat as much as I do and would be morbidly obese if they had their choice, however I control what they eat. I have always thought that if someone just FED me twice daily my rations, vitamins and a few treats and made sure I had lots of exercise I wouldn't need this surgery in the first place! I know I take better care of my dogs than I do myself! I have bullmastiffs and french bulldogs that I show in conformation, obedience and agility. In conformation the judges like them chubby and that is easy to do, in obedience and agility the dogs have to be leaner because this is a physical sport. To thin them down I cut their twice daily rations in half and replace it with either canned low salt green beans or canned pumpkin. Short term this takes the weight off and they don't seem to suffer. Just cutting back their food without replacing the "bulk" makes my dogs very hungry and I can't bear that. I have the good sense to know that the extra weight shortens a dogs life span and predisposes them to many of the things that happen to us when we are heavy. Joint problems, diabetes, heart problems, breathing problems..... I know it is ironic I can manage to do this for them because I love them so much, but struggle when it comes to myself. Good luck on the article.... Cindy

Cindy, Thanks so much for your reply. "I have always thought that if someone just FED me twice daily my rations, vitamins and a few treats and made sure I had lots of exercise I wouldn't need this surgery in the first place!" tell me about it! I'm not a surgery candidate, but I might be 80 pounds lighter if someone adopted that approach with me! I am much the same way with my cats -- they get portion-controlled premium quality food. I really appreciate your thoughts! Best, Nikki