	Animal Care Associates, Inc 840 Oakwood Road Charleston, WV 25314 304-344-2244

OVERWEIGHT & OBESITY AFFECT MORE THAN 40% OF ALL DOGS IN THE U.S. The numbers are startling. Recent studies conducted by Pfizer Animal Health reveal that veterinarians estimate that 47% of their canine patients are overweight or obese-While only 17% of owners have similar perception of their dogs. Unfortunately, this means there is a vast difference between perception and reality. While many dog owners are aware that canine obesity is a serous, even life-threatening issue, far too few are able to recognize it in their own pet. A Dog Owner's Guide To Healthy Weight click on the link to take the BARC (Body Assessment Rating for Canines) quiz. www.StopCanineObesity.com CANINE OBESITY *I have been told that my dog is obese and must beput on a diet. Is this true?* Approximately 40% of all Americans are obese. Unfortunately, this same number now applies to pets. Obesity leads to several diseases both in pets and people. Type II diabetes, heart disease and arthritis are the most common weight-related disorders. Diet and weight reduction are the key to ensuring your pet lives as long and healthy as possible. *What is obesity?* Obesity is defined as weighing more than 30% of theideal weight. With humans, this is fairly straightforward and can be determined by consulting weight and height charts. Dogs and cats are often diagnosed as obese by a combination of weight charts and body scoring A simplified form of body scoring follows: VERY THIN RIBS - Easily felt with no fat covering TAIL BASE - Bones protrude with no tissue between the skin and bone SIDE VIEW - Severe abdominal tuck or “drawn” appearance OVERHEAD VIEW - Exaggerated hourglass shape UNDERWEIGHT RIBS - Easily felt with no fat covering TAIL BASE - Bones are raised with little tissue between the skin and bone SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck OVERHEAD VIEW - Significant hourglass shape IDEAL RIBS - Easily felt with slight (1/2”) fat cover TAIL BASE - Smooth but bones can be felt under a thin layer of fat SIDE VIEW - Abdominal tuck OVERHEAD VIEW - Well-proportioned waist is present OVERWEIGHT RIBS - Difficult to feel with moderate (>1/2”) fat cover TAIL BASE - Some thickening or widening but bones can be felt under a moderate layer of fat SIDE VIEW - No abdominal tuck or waist OVERHEAD VIEW - Back is slightly broadened OBESE RIBS - Difficult to feel under thick fat cover TAIL BASE - Thickened and difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat SIDE VIEW - Fat hangs down from the abdomen and there is no waist OVERHEAD VIEW - Markedly wide Click Here To Rate Your Dog *If my dog is overweight, will his behavior change?* Most overweight dogs are less active and do not playas much as normal dogs. These pets may be reluctant to climb stairs or jump into cars and often pant excessively after very minor exertion. *What is the cause of obesity?* Obesity is the accumulation of excess energy storedas fat. It occurs when your pet receives more calories then he needs and expends. Hypothyroidism is another cause of obesity and weight problems. Any overweight dog should be tested for hypothyroidism before beginning a weight loss program. *I had my dog neutered. Do you think this caused theproblem?* It is very unlikely that neutering caused your pet’sweight problem. *My dog can’t be obese because he only eats a smallamount of food every day?* Obesity often develops insidiously. We think we arefeeding our dogs only small quantities of food but tend to forget the treats and table foods. These treats add calories and result in weight gain. *What can I do?* With today’s advances in nutrition, weight loss hasnever been easier. We will design a safe and effective weight loss program to meet your dog’s lifestyle. Encourage thirty-minute walks twice daily.Discontinue feeding table foods and treats. Instead, offer carrots, broccoli or veterinary-approved low-calorie treats. Mostpets can lose weight if you adhere to our recommendations. Weight loss is often a matter of diligence and persistence. Remember that the reason you are doing this is to help your pet loved one live as long and healthy as possible. Who knows, you both may benefit! This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM. © Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. February 3, 2008 Home / About Us / Doctors / Pets / Staff / Tour / Site Map Diagnostics / AAHA / Links / Maps / MyVetDirect / Contact Us