Having a pet with a few extra pounds may not seem like a
serious problem, however, pets are becoming obese and obesity is becoming an
increasing concern. Being overweight makes your pet vulnerable to a number of
health risks including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease and decreased
immune function.

Puts extra stress on your pet’s internal organs and in joints and bones, doing
simple activities more vigorous. Fat pets also tend to have poorer quality of
life they can not be more active, suffer from heat, and may even be
uncomfortable.

In most cases, the weight gain is so gradual you may not even notice until one
day you realize, or someone comments that your pet is really fat. No matter the
case, it is never too late to make positive changes now that will affect your
pet later, and possibly add years to your life!

What causes that put our pet fat?

There are a number of factors contribute to our pets gain weight. The main
culprit is an imbalance between exercise and diet which means that your pet is
eating more calories than what he or she is using in physical activities.

Other factors include:

1. Diet - many commercial foods are not suitable for your pet’s digestive
system and are too high in carbohydrates and fats. In addition, many owners
constantly give treats and table scraps that are high in calories!

2. Levels of activity - some pets are more active than others, thus
requiring a higher caloric intake than sedentary pets. If your pet is getting
too little exercise then you do not need as much food as one that is active. Use
activity levels as a calibrator for lots of food.

3. Patterns of food - many pet owners opt for free-choice, which means
they always have food on the plate. While some pets handle very well use this
option, and eat only when hungry, eat excessively and some do not know when to
stop. The free-choice also allowed to eat when they are bored. The pets are
overweight should be fed smaller meals at regular intervals throughout the day.

4. Disease - certain diseases and illnesses can cause weight gain. These
include diseases of the brain and pituitary gland, Cushing’s disease,
hypothyroidism, and pancreatic tumors (insulinoma).

5. Age - when our pets are young they tend to be more active and much of
its energy use for growth. Older than 2, many pets will start to gain weight if
their diets do not adapt. The maximum age weight gain is about 6 years.

6. Medication - certain medications can cause changes in metabolism and
appetite. Some of these include glucocorticoids such as prednisone and
dexamethasone and barbiturates such as phenobarbital that are often used to
control epilepsy.

7. Genetic factors - Studies have shown that weight gain may be genetic
and certain breeds seem more predisposed to weight gain than others. High-risk
breeds include retrievers, beagles, the Dalmatians, the Shetland sheepdog,
miniature poodles and to name a few. Mixed breed cats tend to be at higher risk
than pure bred cats.

8. Sterilization – Neutralize your pet can cause hormonal changes and
changes in activity levels that can cause weight gain. Neutered cats and dogs
generally need about 20% less food than unsterilized pets. The problem therefore
lies not so much with the procedure, as with changes in dietary needs after him.

9. Social environment - some pets eat excessively because they’re lonely,
stressed or feel that there is competition for available food to other pets.
These problems must be addressed directly so that your pet will not feel the
need to overeat.

Help weight loss with natural remedies

Helping your pet to lose the extra weight is no easy task, but fortunately
nature has some natural ingredients to assist with the process.

The sea vegetable, Fucus vesiculosus help increase metabolism helping your pet
to the production of thyroid hormones. Other beneficial ingredients include
Curcuma Longa that helps with the digestion of dietary fats, and milk thistle
which is renowned for its beneficial effects on the liver, the organ responsible
for metabolizing fats in the body.