Dog owners, this is the proper technique for feeling for doggie's ribs.
Cat owners, this is the proper way to determine if kitty has a "slight waste with no roundness of the belly".
Posted on 09/08/2003 12:50:26 PM PDT by w_over_w
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Overweight Americans and Europeans are overfeeding their pets, too -- and putting their health at risk, according to a report issued on Monday.
The report, from the National Research Council (news - web sites), finds that one-quarter of the dogs and cats in the western world are obese. As with humans, this puts them at risk of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.
The 400-page report is aimed at scientists, pet food makers and veterinarians, but provides advice for pet owners.
It updates recommendations last made in the mid-1980s by the National Research Council, one of the independent National Academies of Science.
For instance, cats and dogs make their own vitamin C, it says, and do not need it added to food. But cats and dogs in the wild need high levels of fat, it added.
The report confirms that cats are carnivores, and need meat products in their diet, whereas dogs can get along fine on balanced vegetarian diets. The best balance of protein and carbohydrates is also different for cats than for dogs.
Cat owners who worry about their pets' finicky eating habits are reassured that felines do tend to be pickier than dogs about what they eat. The report notes that in the wild, cats will catch and eat eight to 12 small animals or birds every day.
Feeding of cats should reflect this -- with 12 to 20 very small meals being offered through the day, the report says.
"Any dog owner, on the other hand, knows that his or her dog can eat its 24-hour energy need in just a few minutes at a single meal," the report reads.
"It is reported that a male Labrador once ate 10 percent of its body weight of a canned dog food."
Both species needs to be offered plenty of fresh water and cat owners need to take special care to encourage their pets to drink, the report says.
"About 30 percent to 40 percent of dogs and cats will overeat and be overweight or even obese if allowed to eat as much as they want at all times during the day," the report adds.
It advises feeding overweight pets a little less at each meal, or offering low-calorie or less-tasty food.
The report advises on how to tell if a dog is too fat -- if the ribs cannot be felt, it is probably overweight. Cats should have a slight waist but no roundness of the belly.
The report, partly available on the Internet at http:/national-academies.org/petdoor, also details daily calorie recommendations and essential vitamin and mineral requirements for dogs and cats, as well as how to tell if a pet is deficient.
Dog owners, this is the proper technique for feeling for doggie's ribs.
Cat owners, this is the proper way to determine if kitty has a "slight waste with no roundness of the belly".
So thats why my cat wakes me up every hour
My goodness, w, carbohydrates are fattening and killing people, what a shock it is to now read that dogs and cats are getting fatter and sicker on the carbs found in their junk food! /sarcasm
Put your dogs and cats on the Atkins Diet, for crying out loud...
You mean chomping on Clinton-crotch may not be good for my diet?? Aw, maaaannnnn....
Great excuse for absenteeism. Sorry boss, I had to feed my cat, repeatedly.
Your cat obviously needs more meat in its diet.
Proof that a PhD is needed to conclusively prove the most obvious of truisms.
Come on MEG33 . . . it's the oldest act in the book! Cat's "acting" like they are starving and depressed. Toughen Up!
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