Overweight dogs face lower quality of life, greater risk of disease and a shortened lifespan

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Can you pinch an inch? Not on your own body, but on your dog's? If you can, he could probably stand to lose some weight. It's something to think about as we enter a new year with good resolutions to improve ourselves -- and our pets.

When we hear the word "malnutrition," we think of starvation, but you might be surprised to learn that obesity is the most common form of malnutrition in dogs. It's estimated to affect nearly 53 percent of the canine population, according to a May 2014 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. That's a lot of extra weight!

Why are so many dogs fat? Often, it's because owners don't recognize the problem. And veterinarians may hesitate to speak up because it's not uncommon for people who are overweight to have pets with the same problem. A 2013 study found that people who were 60 or older and overweight themselves tended to have overweight pets.

Carrying too many pounds is a serious problem in pet pups. Obesity, defined as being 20 percent or more over their ideal body weight, puts dogs at higher risk of joint problems, poor mobility, reduced kidney function, poor response to anesthesia and skin and urinary tract infections.

That's not all. A long-term study found that osteoarthritis and chronic diseases in general developed approximately two years later in dogs who remained at or below their normal body weight than in dogs allowed to become overweight. The trim dogs lived an average of two years longer than the fat dogs.

There are more benefits, according to Martha Cline, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist who spoke on obesity last month at a San Diego veterinary conference. Dogs who achieved even modest weight loss suffered significantly less lameness. Quality of life gains included increased vitality and reduced emotional disturbance and pain. Dogs who lost weight also had improved renal function.

To tell if your dog needs to lose weight, give him a visual exam and the hands-on test. A dog's body should be shaped like an hourglass, not a sausage. As you look down at him, can you see an indentation behind his ribs before the body flares out again? That's his waist.

Then put your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine and fingers splayed out on his sides. As you gently press inward, you should be able to feel his ribs beneath a layer of skin and muscle. If the ribs are buried beneath rolls of fat, it's time to talk to your veterinarian about a safe diet and exercise plan.

A veterinary exam, including lab work, ensures that your dog doesn't have any underlying health problems that are causing weight gain or that could be worsened by changes in activity levels or type of food.

One easy change you can make is to measure your dog's food and feed meals twice a day instead of leaving food out all the time. Even better, put a day's supply of dry food inside a puzzle toy so your dog spends the day actively "hunting" for his meals. Instead of high-calorie treats, offer small bites of chopped carrots, green beans or apples.

To add more activity, begin with brief walks. As his stamina improves, gradually increase the distance. Always stop before your dog shows signs of exhaustion, such as panting or reluctance to go further.

For dogs who are currently in good shape, the best thing you can do is to make sure they don't become sedentary as they age. Keeping dogs at a healthy weight is a lot easier than trying to take pounds off.

Q&A

Hungry cat must

stay off table

Q: Our 10-year-old cat has recently begun demanding table food. When we sit down to eat at the dinner table, he jumps on top of it. I immediately pick him up and put him on the floor. This is repeated several times. Today, I was eating soup and ignored him, so he pawed my ear. What do you suggest for behavior modification? I'm thinking of putting him in the bathroom while we eat. -- via email

A: You are fighting a battle on two fronts: the feline love of being up high, and your cat's desire to share your food, which is obviously more interesting than his own. You're on the right track as far as being consistent about putting him back on the floor right away when he jumps up on the table. Don't do it in an angry manner; be matter-of-fact, but don't let him get away with it. I have some other suggestions as well.

One is to feed him before you sit down to eat. If he has already eaten, he may be less interested in checking out your food.

You may also try teaching him to go to an alternative space, such as a nearby perch -- where he can be up off the ground and still see you -- or the sofa or his bed. Reinforce your cat being in this spot by rewarding him intermittently with a treat, attention or play.

Conversely, make the tabletop unpleasant by covering it with aluminum foil. Cats don't like the feel of it beneath their paws.

There's also nothing wrong with putting your cat in a different area, such as the bathroom, while you eat. It's a valid way of managing the problem and can be a great strategy until your cat learns to stay off the table during meals. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

By the numbers:

5 facts about cats

-- The CATalyst Council's Stats on Cats rounds up interesting info on our feline friends. Did you know that according to a 2013-2014 pet ownership survey by the American Pet Products Association, 25 percent of cat owners have used some type of training device for their cat? Three percent of cat owners have purchased pet health insurance. Only 40 percent of cat owners had taken their cat to the veterinarian in the past year. Ninety-one percent of cats had been spayed or neutered. There are no drawbacks to owning a cat, according to 19 percent of the respondents.

-- If your dog barks excessively while you're away from the house, it can be frustrating trying to figure out how to get him to stop. To solve the problem, look for devices that reward dogs at a distance by monitoring barking and rewarding periods of quiet. Other monitors include activity collars and camera systems that allow owners to observe a dog's activity and behavior during the day, permit interactive games to keep the dog occupied during the day and dispense food rewards when the dog is quiet. To find one, search online for electronic pet treat dispensers, or ask your veterinarian or dog trainer for a recommendation.

-- Winter play is more fun with your best friend. We're talking your dog, of course. Just make sure he has the right coat, build and stamina for the activity of your choice, whether it's snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, skijoring (a combination of cross-country skiing and dog sledding) or just having a snowball fight. The following breeds are our nominees for best snow-play dogs: Alaskan malamute, American Eskimo, Bernese mountain dog, Chinook, Finnish lapphund, Finnish spitz, Great Pyrenees, Icelandic sheepdog, Leonberger, Newfoundland, Norwegian elkhound, Saint Bernard, shiba inu, Siberian husky and Tibetan terrier. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Why do cats love boxes? Let us count the ways

By Kim Campbell Thornton

It's the day after Christmas, so we're guessing your house is filled with empty boxes. And we bet your cat is having a heyday with all the surplus "toys."

Cats and boxes go together like ribbons and bows. What's the attraction? We checked with experts to find out.

Cats have a couple of different motivations for getting inside boxes and bags, says feline behavior expert John Wright, professor emeritus of psychology at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. One is play.

Cats can peer out of a box, climb into it or bat it around. They don't seem to care if it already has stuff in it or if they don't quite fit.

"When you see a cat get inside a box or bag, they start to knock around a little bit and bat at it, and if it makes a noise, that's really great," he says.

For shy cats, or those who simply want some "me" time, boxes provide security and sanctuary. After all, while cats are predators in their own right, they are also small enough to be prey. A box can be a secure hiding place where a cat feels safe from potential threats.

Boxes are also resources in multicat households. If you have more than one cat, you've probably noticed that one gets first pick of toys, food and, yes, hiding places like boxes. When the top cat claims a box, Wright says, other cats won't approach it.

Having access to a box where they can hide has even been shown to reduce stress in shelter cats. Researchers at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands published a paper in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, which found that cats in shelters who had a hiding box had lower stress scores. In case you didn't know, a cat's stress levels are judged using the Kessler-Turner Cat Stress Score -- a system that rates feline stress on a scale from 1 to 7, ranging from relaxed to terrified.

Before you mutter something about silly research topics, keep in mind that a happy cat is a healthier cat. The authors write: "Domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) can experience serious stress in shelters. Stressful experiences can have a major impact on the cats' welfare and may cause higher incidences of infectious diseases in the shelters."

The presence of a box can reduce that risk. The study found that over a two-week period, the shelter cats with a hiding box attained reduced stress levels and adapted more quickly to their new environment than their no-box counterparts.

"The hiding box appears to be an important enrichment for the cat to cope effectively with stressors in a new shelter environment the first weeks after arrival," the researchers conclude.

Not every cat is attracted to boxes. Shy cats may be afraid to approach them, and even adventurous cats may avoid boxes that aren't in their own territory, Wright says.

In one experiment, kittens from two different fathers -- one who produced friendly kittens and one who produced shy kittens -- were placed in an area with a cardboard box they'd never seen before. The kittens with the friendly father were first to explore it, while the others held back. The fathers' genetic influence affected how the kittens reacted to anything unfamiliar.

If your cat loves playing in boxes, you can increase his enjoyment by changing things up, Wright says. Offer boxes in different sizes, or put his box in a different place. In a new environment, set out several boxes to give your cat a place to relax. Your cat will love you for it.

Q&A

Clearing up

tear stains

Q: I have a 7-year-old female poodle-bichon frise, and I have to clean beneath her eyes every day because they tear so much. The staining eventually turns dark brown. What can I do to stop the weeping? -- via email

A: This is a common question asked by owners of white or light-colored dogs. Bichons, poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu and Lhasa apso are among the breeds often seen with reddish-brown tear stains beneath the eyes, but any dog can have this problem.

The stains can have many possible causes. They include blocked tear ducts, ingrown eyelashes, dental issues such as retained baby teeth, or eye or ear infections.

Sometimes eyelashes grow where they're not supposed to, emerging from glands within the eyelid, rubbing against and irritating the cornea. This condition, called distichiasis, can be hereditary. Depending on its severity, dogs may need eye ointments or surgery to relieve the irritation. Ointments help to lubricate the eye while surgery destroys the hair follicles. Your veterinarian can pluck the hairs, but this is only a temporary fix and must be repeated every month or two.

Eye infections or dental infections can cause excessive tearing. Your dog may need a course of antibiotics or surgical removal of an abscessed tooth or baby teeth that didn't fall out.

Note that eye stain removers contain low levels of antibiotics. The FDA issued a warning to the manufacturers in 2014 about these products because the drugs are not approved for removing tear stains in dogs and cats and have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.

This is usually much more than a cosmetic issue. The best thing you can do is to take your dog to the veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to get to the root of the problem. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Territorial rule:

Why cats spray

-- If your cat is standing with tail high and vibrating, raising and lowering the back paws, watch out! He's about to spray -- in other words, to release a stream of urine, usually onto a vertical surface. Spraying is not a matter of your cat refusing to use the litter box. Instead, the behavior is a way for cats to mark territory. Spraying is the feline equivalent of posting a "no trespassing" sign. It's also a way for cats to feel more secure, by making their surroundings smell like themselves. Tomcats are the worst offenders, but neutered males and females will also spray.

-- Puppies are adorable, even when they're naughty. Maybe especially when they're naughty. You catch your little fluffball with your slipper in his mouth or halfway through the destruction of yet another roll of toilet paper, and instead of being upset, you laugh, grab your phone and record yet another YouTube upload. It is funny, but your puppy is never going to learn to leave slippers and toilet paper alone if you aren't consistent about what's acceptable behavior and what's not. Swap the slipper or toilet paper for something he's allowed to play with, and then praise him for using it. Now you're on the right track!

-- The field spaniel is a mid-size dog: larger than a cocker spaniel but smaller than an English springer spaniel. This rare breed is an excellent family companion, a solid bird dog in field trials and terrific in tracking tests. The field spaniel is a busy, funny dog with a moderate to high energy level. Field spaniels are typically a solid liver color but can also be black, blue roan, black and tan, golden liver and liver roan. Their silky coat is easy to care for with once- or twice-weekly brushing. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

We've gathered answers for 6 common holiday situations faced by pet lovers

It's that time of year again. People are wondering "Should I tip my dog's groomer?", "What should I get for my pet-loving friends?" and "Is it OK to take cookies to my vet?" You have questions; we have answers.

What's a great gift for my pet sitter, dog groomer or dog walker? It's hard to go wrong with cash stashed inside a cute pet-themed card, signed with your pet's name (and yours). Consider giving the cost of one session or visit. A gift certificate for a manicure or a gift card to a favorite coffee shop may also be welcome.

Should I get my veterinarian a gift? It's definitely not required, but many pet owners enjoy sharing holiday goodies with their pets' other best friends.

"Our amazing clients give us all kinds of goodies, from cookies to candies to fully catered lunch to pizza to gift cards for the staff," says Gershon L. Alaluf, DVM, at Canyon Animal Hospital in Laguna Beach, California. "We are always very thankful and very happy to receive every gift given, and every last morsel is ingested."

My dog pooped on my parents' carpet. What should I do? Oops! We hope you brought a good enzymatic cleanser and some cleanup towels with you. Clean it up as best you can, and offer to have the carpet professionally cleaned. It's a small price to pay for family amity.

What's a good gift for pet-loving friends and family? Find out what kinds of bedding and other products they already use or how their pet likes to play. For instance, if the dog is a tough chewer or loves fetching balls, take those preferences into account. Dr. Becker's QT loves squeaky toys, and Mikkel's pug, Willy, is a connoisseur of small, soft, fuzzy toys without stuffing. The Thornton dogs favor treats above all else.

"A personalized item is thoughtful, too," Mikkel adds, "such as a bed, collar or bowl, or breed-specific items like calendars, cards or stationery."

Do the person and dog participate in a sport? A supply of dog treats or a new treat bag will be appreciated. For the pet and pet lover who have everything, make a donation to a pet charity in their name. A couple of our favorites are World Vets (worldvets.org) and The Grey Muzzle Organization (greymuzzle.org).

Is it OK to bring my pet to the family holiday gathering? Always ask first, and respect the response, even if it's negative. Not everyone loves pets as much as we do, and some people suffer from allergies or animal-related phobias. If you must bring your pet, plan to stay in a hotel, and consider your pet a good excuse to go take a walk or have some down time to yourself.

Should I get my family a pet for Christmas? There used to be a sentiment that it was a bad idea to get pets during the holidays, but if done right, it can be a joyful experience. Studies show that pets given as gifts are just as likely to stay in homes and are just as well loved as animals acquired at other times or in other ways.

"Any time someone is considering bringing an animal into a home, they should be mindful of the commitment and give thought to what type of pet will be best for the family and lifestyle," says Kristi Littrell, adoption manager for Best Friends Animal Society.

If you have time off during the holidays, that can be a good opportunity to spend time with and start training a new pet. If that's not an option, present your family with a gift card or certificate from your local animal shelter, rescue group or a reputable breeder. Then you can all go choose your pet together when the time is right.

Q&A

Avian obesity is

plus-size problem

Q: My veterinarian says my bird is fat. Is that really something I need to worry about? -- via Facebook

A: You bet! Obesity is as much an issue in pet birds as it is in dogs and cats. An overweight bird can be predisposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. He can also become arthritic or develop fatty liver disease.

Certain species tend to be more likely to grow tubby -- Amazon parrots, parakeets, canaries, cockatoos and Quaker parakeets -- but any bird can gain too much weight if he's allowed to eat whatever he wants. Pet birds may start out on good diets but become choosy with age, deciding they are going to eat only one or two types of food.

Don't let your bird get away with that. He's most likely to have a balanced diet if he eats a variety of foods. A pelleted diet supplemented by healthy food from your own plate is the best way to feed him. Birds can and will eat pasta, cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, beans and most fruits and vegetables. Avian expert Scott Weldy, DVM, says that most birds do well on a diet of 70 to 80 percent pelleted food and 20 to 30 percent fresh or cooked food.

Avoid giving birds avocado, onion, mushrooms or chocolate, all of which have toxic effects. Highly salted foods are a no-no as well.

What's the key to determining if your bird is overweight? Birds with cleavage rivaling that of a Hollywood starlet are too fat. Birds should be lean and sleek, with no cleavage at all, Dr. Weldy says. If you can't feel your bird's keelbone because it's covered by a layer of fat, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help him get back to a healthy weight. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Downward, uh, cat?

Yoga class makes mews

-- Cat pose, anyone? Yoga with cats is the latest exercise trend to fill studios and, yes, shelters nationwide. Not surprising, since cats are masters at contorting themselves into difficult positions. Having the classes at a shelter or cat cafe is a way to bring adoptable cats to people's attention. In some cases, the fee for the class is donated to the shelter. Cats stroll among attendees, some demonstrating their own skills, others batting at downward-hanging ponytails. And even if your form isn't perfect, a rub from a friendly cat can help to lower your blood pressure.

-- Kiah, a pit bull, was found in a shelter in Kirby, Texas, recovering from a brutal hammer blow to the head. Lucky for her, she was chosen for a program to train pit bulls for law enforcement work and was soon recognized as a gifted trainee. After graduation, she was placed with Officer Justin Bruzgul as a narcotics and missing persons detection dog for the Poughkeepsie, New York, police department. Bruzgul and Kiah visit schools and conferences to educate the public about the importance of animal shelters and rescue, and they recently received the 2016 ASPCA Public Service Award.

-- A clean hamster is a happy hamster. The furry little critters groom themselves frequently and enjoy a nice sand bath every once in a while. You can purchase chinchilla bathing sand (not dust, which can cause respiratory problems) at pet supply stores. Offer fresh bathing sand every time, and remove it when your hamster has rolled to his heart's content. Brush him off as well. Avoid giving your hamster a water bath. If he does get wet, dry him thoroughly with a towel and keep him out of drafts. If your hamster doesn't groom himself regularly, take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton, Mikkel Becker.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.