Overweight is one of the most common problems facing our animal friends. We live in one of the richest countries of the world. Because of this wealth, our animal friends are being rewarded with our human health problems. Our pet friends becoming overweight is one of these human health problems we are passing on.

The reasons for overweight pets are many. One of the major causes is the lack of exercise of our pets. A normal life for most pets is rising in the morning when their human friend awakens. The pet makes a quick exit out the door to eliminate the natural waste products, then goes back inside for some dehydrated pet food placed in the bowl. Off to work goes the human, so it is back to bed for a morning nap. The nap turns out to be an on-and-off nap for the entire day. Then in the late afternoon the human comes home and greets the pet happily. Then a quick exit out the door for elimination of wastes and back inside for a bowl of dehydrated pet food. If the human is not too tired, the pet friend may get a chance to go for a walk of three or four blocks. Then back inside for a short rest before it is time for bed. I hope this can show you the little amount of exercise our pet friends get throughout a normal day. This is nowhere close to the normal exercise of a human who goes to work and walks around an office, yet we feed our pets enough food for three to four days' worth of exercise.

I recommend exercising a canine pet friend in the morning and in the afternoon, if possible. Look into pet day-care for possible daytime activity in the home or at the care center. For the feline pet friend I recommend cat gyms to climb on. Another option is to bring in a new younger member of the cat family when a cat has reached middle age (6 to 8 years of age). Adding a younger member to the pet family automatically increases the cats' play time. Spend quality time with your pet friends; play ball daily or play chase, use toys to make them move and be active.

The next reason for overweight pets is free feeding the sedate animal. I feel that a lack of a definite feeding time is the worse thing you can do for both dogs and cats. Whenever any animal is bored, one thing to do is eat. Free feeding only increases the amount of calorie intake and, especially if there is no burning up of the calories, the end result is an overweight pet.

Another reason for overweight pets is what we feed our pet friends. Commercial pet food is anywhere between 45 percent to 65 percent carbohydrates (grains). Grains are the least expensive part of pet food and can fill the animal quickly. Dogs and cats are more carnivores than we humans are, and we are feeding them almost as much grain (or more) than we humans eat. I feel that this high-carbohydrate commercial pet food is the worst food we can feed our pet friends. Our pet friends need fresh meats, not dehydrated meat by-products. There are many good books explaining the reasons why many veterinarians are recommending whole fresh meat diets, or recommending supporting commercial food with whole fresh meats. I also feel vegetables are an excellent source of fiber and moisture as well as sources of natural vitamins and minerals for our pet friends.

My recommendations for preventing overweight pets are as follows:

• Exercise daily in all weather conditions;
• Stop free feeding;
• Feed a small amount of fresh whole food in the morning and afternoon only;
• Be aware of your pet's weight and watch for signs of your pet becoming overweight.

Take action before it is too late. I hope this will help you keep your pet friend lean and healthy for a long, happy life.

-By Joe Demers, D.V.M.., is a certified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and a graduate of Texas A & M. He has been in private practice for 23 years (conventional and holistic), is a certified acupuncturist and homeopath who has studied advanced veterinary Chinese herbal medicine and has a Masters of Homeopathy. Dr. Demers is the owner of Holistic Animal Clinic, a practice devoted 100 percent to holistic medicine. He can be reached at (407) 752-0140.