Kecia Valdez

It is no surprise that pet obesity is on the rise in the United States. It is also no surprise that obesity shortens pets’ life expectancies and increases their risks of many diseases. Diabetes, arthritis and heart disease are among these.

As pet owners ourselves, we know that “food is love” to our pets. We like to reward them for tricks, good behavior and ease our guilt about not spending as much time as we would like with them. We all do it, and in moderation it is fine. However, let’s not forget that sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

So instead of giving your pet processed, store-bought treats, try baby carrots or raw green beans; most dogs love them. Dogs also love a little attention just as much as food. Try scratching behind their ears, rubbing their bellies or just giving them a big hug as praise for a job well done.

We should also try to control our pets’ intake of their normal dog food. Although free-feeding can be convenient, it can be unhealthy in some cases. A study of Labrador retrievers was conducted over a 10-year span where half were free-fed and the other half were given a measured amount in the morning and the same in the evening. The dogs who had measured meals had significantly less arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. They also lived an average of two years longer than the free-fed dogs.

Just think — you might gain two more years with your beloved pet simply by feeding it breakfast and dinner instead of keeping the bowl filled.

Overfeeding your pet can cause diabetes and heart disease. Diabetes is a very difficult and expensive disease to try to control. Just as in humans, it remains incurable. Although not impossible to treat, diabetes does pose challenges for the pet, the owner and the veterinarian.

Sometimes, no matter what we try or how much we spend, some pets are just not able to achieve good control for a healthy life.

Heart disease is another disease that poses similar challenges and can sometimes be deadly.
And, of course, we have all unfortunately witnessed that old fat dog that just can’t get up any more to urinate or defecate. Its arthritis has been exacerbated by obesity for years, and even though it isn’t really “sick,” it may be euthanized because of arthritic pain that, in some degree, was preventable.

We know all of these diseases are completely prevented by having a fit and trim pet, but it sure can help.

Another important factor in obesity is exercise. We need it, and pets do, too. The difficult part of that equation for all of us is finding the time. Many of us work long hours, commute, have obligations to our kids and their activities. However, our furry friends are part of our families, and they need a tiny part of that busy day to help us and them stay healthy. Twenty minutes a day will result in a happier, healthier pet and owner.

Instead of turning on the television for 15 minutes of program and the associated 15 minutes of commercials, pull out the leash and make your dog’s day!

• Kecia Valdez has worked six years as a veterinarian for Jules Veterinary Center in Tracy. Questions and comments may be directed to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it All veterinarians within the Tracy community are invited to write columns for Ask the Vet.