Caring for your pet’s health should be your #1 priority as a pet owner.

And ensuring your furry friends maintain a healthy weight is just as important as watching your own weight and exercise. Check out our tips below on battling pet obesity and keeping your pets active.

National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

/in , , /by

October 9th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.

Each year, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) conducts a pet nutrition and weight management survey pet owners and veterinary professionals to complete. This survey is used to help advocate against the growing pet obesity trend and improve pet nutrition. In 2018 alone, their survey estimated 56% of dogs and 60% of cats in the United States were obese or overweight.

Click here to participate in APOP’s 2019 pet obesity survey

When it comes to pet obesity, Brookside Barkery is passionate about educating Kansas City pet owners to make the right nutrition choices for their pets. There’s much more to pet obesity than just being plump and out of shape – a number of related diseases and conditions can occur when cats and dogs are overweight. These include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Conditions
• Chronic Inflammation
• Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders
• Kidney Disfunction
• Strained Bones, Joints & Organs

Not only do all of these diseases and conditions lead to a diminished quality of life, but they ultimately lead to reduced life expectancy.

Think your pet may be on the road to obesity? Consult the resources offered by APOP – including easy to use at-home body condition tests or schedule a visit with your vet. Also, be sure to give your pup the daily exercise needed to stay in shape.

At Brookside Barkery, our mission is “Better Health through Better Nutrition” and our goal is to provide the most up-to-date holistic health information to our patrons. Our driving passion is helping owners provide only the best for their animal companion. To help fulfill that mission, we offer the largest selection of natural pet food in Kansas City. Stop by the Barkery in Brookside or Lee’s Summit to learn more.

Obesity in Cats: How to Help

/in , , /by

Did you know that  55% – or 47 million – of U.S. cats are overweight or obese?

The average domestic cat should weigh 8-10 pounds. Persian and Siamese cats can range between 6-12 pounds, and Maine Coon cats can be normal at up to 25 pounds. But these are the exceptions to the rule.

When a vet recommends that a cat lose two or three pounds, pet owners usually don’t take action. But that is often thinking in human weight terms.

Here’s what a few extra pounds on a cat would equate to in a human:

  • Two pounds is similar to 28 pounds on a 140-pound woman
  • Three pounds is similar to 42 pounds on a 140-pound woman
  • Five pounds is similar to 70 pounds on a 140-pound woman
  • Eight pounds is similar to 112 pounds on a 140-pound woman

Obesity contributes to many medical conditions in cats including diabetes, arthritis, heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, compromised immune function and may even predispose them to certain types of cancer. It has been well documented that cats maintaining an ideal body weight live longer, and with less disease, than overweight cats.

What Foods Help Cats Lose Weight
As carnivores, it is often easiest and healthiest for cats to lose weight on high-protein, low-carbohydrate canned food. These foods allow cats to lose weight while still maintaining lean body mass and strength. Treats must also be chosen wisely, with no more than 10 percent of a cat’s daily calories.

A Few More Tips

  • Remember your cat needs exercise! Purchase a laser pointer for lots of activity
  • Be sure to have your cat weigh in so you can track progress
  • Avoid filling the bowl full just because it’s empty. Use a measuring cup and set feed times