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This 4-year-old Labrador weighs 168 pounds, and will be going on a diet soon. (Getty Images) |
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But help is on the way for our portly pets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a doggy diet drug called Slentrol. It is the first drug approved by the U.S. government to help fight obesity in dogs.
Slentrol is a liquid that owners can squirt into a dog's mouth or put on dog food. It helps dogs lose weight by reducing their appetites and preventing their bodies from absorbing fat from food.
Why Are Dogs Getting Fat?
Dr. Bonnie Beaver is a specialist in dog behavior and a former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. She says dogs are getting fatter because they are more sedentary than they used to be. "Most dogs used to be farm dogs or lived outside," she told Weekly Reader. Those dogs got plenty of exercise. "Now, most dogs live inside," she says, where they exercise less.
Dogs also gain weight when they eat too much or eat high-fat, high-sugar human food. People have trouble saying no when their pets are begging, says Dr. Beaver. "When those big brown eyes are staring up at you, [it] is hard [to say no]."
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Overweight dogs can develop the same health problems as overweight people. For example, overweight dogs can have trouble breathing and develop heart disease. They also have lots of orthopedic problems in their joints and bones.
Keeping Dogs Healthy
Dr. Beaver says dogs need to be fed a healthy diet and exercise regularly to control their weight. But very obese dogs might have trouble with simple exercises because they are too heavy to move around easily. Dr. Beaver says those dogs would be the best candidates for Slentrol. If the drug helps them lose some weight, they can begin exercising.
The most important thing someone can do to prevent their dog from getting obese is to make a veterinarian part of their dog-care team, says Dr. Beaver. Vets can tell owners how much different breeds of dogs should weigh. They can also suggest special dog foods that help dogs have a balanced diet. "It's important to remember that a dog is not a four-legged person," Dr. Beaver says.
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- Find out more about caring for pets at the American Veterinary Medical Association's Kids' Corner.
- Learn about what veterinarians do at the AVMA's Careers in Veterinary Medicine page.
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- Check out this Dog Watch Word Search!
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