The changing lifestyles with the pandemic caused an increase in the time spent at home. This affected pets as well as humans. Veterinarian Tarık Akan, who stated that the risks of obesity increase due to weight gain in animals that are not able to move adequately and whose nutrition is not taken care of, said, “Irregular or malnutrition is one of the biggest problems in animals, although it is taken lightly. How the animal is fed determines the whole life style. Therefore, malnutrition or inadequate movement can create negativity in the lives of animals. In this process, we encounter weight gain problems, especially in dogs, as the outflow decreases. “After the pandemic, weight gain in humans started to appear as 100 percent in animals and even 200 percent in some places.”
CAT AND DOGS AT RISK; NUTRITION PROGRAM BY BREEDS
Stating that they encounter the problem of gaining weight more often in dogs, Akan said, “Based on the fact that not all dogs are the same, we started to make our nutrition programs. It is not appropriate to feed a 40-pound dog and a 2.5-pound dog the same. That’s why we need to approach each one differently. As veterinarians, we inform our animal owners based on these. The weight gain in cats is more related to the wrong diet. “Urinary tract problems, diabetes, joint problems with weight gain, dermatological problems are disorders that occur in animals because they are not always fed properly.”
“To create awareness on the same topic for Royal Canin Turkey is a certain time ‘Similar but Not Same’ holds the communication campaign,” said Akan “Type or can be compared to each other in external appearance but are quite different in terms of physical characteristics and nutritional needs of dogs and cats campaign constitutes the main face. The differences between Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever breeds, which can be confused frequently, are presented as examples. For example, according to the research findings of Cambridge University in 2016, it is stated that Labrador Retrievers, which are unique in their breed and genetic characteristics, are much more prone to gaining weight than other dogs and it is underlined that their nutritional needs should be evaluated within this scope.
EVERY CAT BREED MAY HAVE ITS OWN HEALTH PROBLEM
Stating that cats should not be given food whenever it comes to mind, Akın said, “Every breed of cat has its own genetic predispositions. While these predispositions raise certain health problems, irregular or malnutrition increases the associated risks. “It is necessary to strictly follow the nutritional patterns and nutritional measures recommended by veterinarians so that it does not climb.”
DIABETES AND KIDNEY DISEASE CAN BE SEEN IN CATS
Akan said, “When a Persian cat is not fed properly, its susceptibility to diabetes gradually emerges. The susceptibility of the Birman cat to kidney disease is manifested by improper diet. Therefore, we inform animal owners about these in the first place, we explain the correct nutrition methods ”.
OBESITY TRIGGERS JOINT DISEASES
Stating that obesity, which occurs with weight gain, triggers joint disorders especially in dogs, Akan said, “When weight increases, joint discomfort and inability to move in advanced ages arise. In order to prevent these, we recommend both regular exercise and regular and healthy nutrition. “As the outflow decreases, oxygenation decreases, if the body is not oxygenated enough, we form the basis for obesity because both proper nutrition and correct movement are not done.”
AGGRESSIVE MAY TIP; BEWARE OF THESE SYMPTOMS!
Emphasizing that the quality of life of animals is impaired unless there is proper nutrition, Akan said, “Mutual communication is disrupted and we start to encounter aggression in our patients. We sometimes attribute this aggression to being at home, but the main reason is actually aggression from their joint pain. It is necessary to pay close attention to these. The creature’s aggressiveness may give clues. A patient with pain may attack for no apparent reason. He can give up the cute moves he has demonstrated for a long time. After increasing the amount of eating for a while, it may decrease. Eating is a situation that triggers each other. As he gives, the food turns towards diabetes as he eats. After that, it starts not to get full, and at the last point it starts not to eat ”, he said.
AVOID FEEDING WITH HOME FOOD
Akan, recommending 2 meals a day and plenty of exercise for pets, concluded his words as follows:
“We recommend eating 2 meals a day, if possible, according to the measurements written on the professional product you buy. The food we eat looks very attractive and good for them; but these are the things that completely spoil the content of the professional product you bought. For this reason, we refrain from feeding them with our own food. We only recommend feeding them what they should eat and we want action. If the dog is to go outside, move together, walk around; Even if it is a cat, we recommend buying toys that he can do activities in the house and activities he can do with his owner so that we can prevent obesity.