Pet Obesity Thanks to more food and less exercise, an increasing number of pet dogs in Ahmedabad are now suffering from pet obesity.
The 'weighty' issue has moved from the man's world to the dog's world. Lifestyle changes sweeping across Indian homes are now affecting the health of pet dogs. Thanks to more food and less exercise, an increasing number of pet dogs in India are now suffering from pet obesity and Ahmedabad seems no different.
Metabolic rates are definitely a matter of concern even for animals. High carb diet and little exercise can make dogs fat and lethargic. Shivaji Talekar, a vet elaborates : "Every day four-five dogs come to my clinic with problems related to pet obesity. Most of these dogs are obese because of their owners' carelessness. Though in certain cases, hormonal imbalance and sterilisation can also lead to pet obesity."
With increase in income and improved lifestyle, pet owners are now becoming too indulgent about their dogs' food intake resulting in pet obesity and sluggishness. Talking about his pet Labrador (who weighs 41 kilos, and is 11 kilos overweight), Hardik Patel says, "My dog simply loves food- - from pastries, chocolates , cakes to eggs," adding, "he will never eat
chapatis without ghee. Whenever a family member sits down for a meal, my dog wants a bite for himself. To top it all, he's a lazy fellow and loves sleeping ." But is it fair to put the blame on the dog?
Rekha Ketan Mistry agrees that her three-and-half year old pug is "on the heavier side. He is plump. For his diet, I usually prepare
khichdi with seasonal vegetables. Though he goes for walks everyday, he needs to exercise more."
Friya Javeri, a vet, says, "A dog's health is the reflection of his/her owner's lifestyle. These days owners don't pay much attention to their pets' health. Most people also think that feeding a dog is the best way to shower affection, which is wrong. Once dogs become obese, they have problem exercising."
Experts agree that exercise is a must for dogs as it makes them both mentally and physically active. "Dogs like to wander and that's helpful for their muscle movement. Daily exercise makes them agile and confident," says Javeri.
Though people are now hiring dog-trainers but that doesn't seem to help much. Says Chirag Bhatt, a dog lover, "Very few people do any research before bringing a pet home. There's no point in keeping a dog at home if you don't have time. We need to create awareness about different breeds of dogs and their specific health requirements among owners."
What's the best way to fight pet obesity? "The answer is low fat diet. Once the dog loses weight, it should be put on maintenance diet. Exercise and low fat diet keeps a dog healthy," says Taleka.
And remember, the way to a dog's heart is not through his stomach.
deepika.sahu@timesgroup.com Pet Obesity 
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