Ask The Vet RadioShow Notes

Show #: 06-120

Show Description: "Obesity/ Nutrition "

Audio Files: ATVR-06-120.mp3, ATVR-06-120.wma

Obesity is a growing issue in the pet industry and can lead to serious health problems if measures are not taken to resolve the matter.  This week, Dr. Joe Bartges, Professor and Board Certified Nutritionist from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, joined Dr. Tracy Dewhirst and guest-host Jimmy Holt for the entire program to discuss adequate nutrition for your pets.  Dr. Bartges informed listeners on the dangers of pet obesity and mentioned tips for alleviating weight problems in animals.  Question of the Week Winner Jim Clayton and his Labradoodle Laddie also stopped by the studio to share Laddie’s unique exercise routine and a quick serenade! 

Show Notes and Resources:

In-Studio Guest: Dr. Joe Bartges, Professor and Board Certified Nutritionist from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

  • The University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital offers an obesity clinic consisting of weigh-ins and modification programs for pets who are unable to lose weight with regular prescription diets.  Dr. Bartges and other nutrition specialists from the University also perform trials and studies regarding animal nutrition.  To get more information on these programs, please visit http://www.vet.utk.edu/.
  • Meal-feeding vs. Free-Feeding:  Meal-feeding (feeding measured amounts of food once or twice a day) is usually better than the alternative of free-feeding (filling up food bowls when empty).  Obesity tends to occur less in animals on a regulated meal plan.  However, if you currently use the free-feeding method and this has not led to a weight problem thus far, there is no reason to change the current feeding method unless a noticeable change in weight occurs.  The meal-feeding method does allow pet owners to keep better track of the amount of food their pets consume, therefore they can notice more easily if their pet has a sudden drop in appetite (that could be a symptom of illness). 
  • Light Over-The-Counter Pet Food vs. Prescription Diets:  Light pet foods usually do not have a high enough reduction in fat to reduce obesity or cause weight loss.  Light pet foods need to be used as a maintenance diet.  For weight-loss in considerably overweight animals, reducing the amount of food may not work due to their unique metabolism; prescription diets provided by veterinarians are formulated specifically for weight-loss.  Due to the increased fiber and reduced calories, prescription diets will help the animal lose weight by causing them to feel full sooner and eat less.  Diet pills for pets have yet to be proven safe and are considered highly dangerous.
  • If prescription diets and all other methods fail, your pet may have a disease that causes obesity.  Such diseases can be diagnosed by a veterinarian and are usually resolved with relatively inexpensive treatments.  Obesity can also cause certain disease for your animals if the problem is not addressed accordingly.  Some problems that have been associated with obesity include hypothyroid disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, teeth and gum disease, and an increased risk of cancer.  In addition, studies have proven that animals unaffected by obesity tend to live longer and more comfortably.
  • To reduce your pet’s chance of obesity, avoid common owner mistakes such as over-feeding your animals.  Remember to read pet food labels and recognize the feeding suggestions.  These suggestions are for average animals that engage in an average amount of activity; adjust accordingly.  Remember that the cups suggested are typical 8 ounce cups.  When you look at your dog, you should be able to see a typical hour-glass shape and a noticeable waist.  Another common mistake for multiple-pet owners is not paying enough attention to the amount of food each pet actually receives.  Pet owners may not be aware that some dogs eat the food from another’s bowl or that some territorial dogs refuse to let the others eat at all.
  • One listener had an overweight cat that was territorial with the food bowls and refused to let the smaller cats eat.  If you encounter this problem, put the food in a location that makes the larger cat work for the food, such as up a flight of stairs.  You can also try food dishes that have a mechanism that releases food only after that cat has played with it for a while and unlocked a mechanism.  This will reduce the amount of food while increasing activity.  To reduce the larger cat from preventing the smaller ones to eat, place the smaller cats’ food in a box with a hole cut in it.  The hole should be wide enough for the small cats to enter but small enough to prevent the larger cat from entering; you can purchase a similar product or make your own.  From an evolutionary perspective, cats are carnivores and typically do better with meat in their diets.  However, animals in captivity are highly adaptable and can do well with a diet high in carbohydrates, such as dry cat food.  There are two types of diets for obese cats:  the traditional high fiber/low calorie diet and the high protein diet.  Speak to your veterinarian for details.   

In-Studio Guest: Question of the Week Winner Jim Clayton and his Labradoodle Laddie

  • Jim Clayton and his Labradoodle Laddie exercise together; Laddie loves to run on the treadmill as Jim rides on the stationary bike next to her!  Jim brought Laddie and his guitar into the studio to share their unique exercise routine and provide a quick serenade for the Ask The Vet Radio listeners!

Rescue of the Week: The Sled Dog Rescue of East Tennessee

  • The Sled Dog Rescue of East Tennessee has been finding homes for Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, and the occasional Elkhound for over 11 years.  President and founder Sidney Sachs and the Sled Dog Rescue of East Tennessee has successfully found homes for over 700 sled dogs, two of which starred in Disney’s recent film Eight Below.  The rescue has a monthly Volunteer Day where you can come by and meet the adoptable sled dogs, help bathe and groom the adoptable pets, and learn breed-specific information.  To learn more information on this rescue, foster a sled dog, or view many of the adoptable animals available, visit www.sleddogrescuetn.com.