The vet looked at Lolo, a five -year -old Labrador with the most soft eyes and a stomach that now went when he left.

“He has received about 6 kg,” he said softly. “It is like putting a human on 20.”

Lolo’s pet parents, Tiana, Squimed. Between the back-to-back zoom calls, irregular meals, and the crime of not taking it on an evening walk, he behaves for it-here-biscuits biscuits, leftover sausages.

“But when I feed her she looks very happy,” she almost muted defensively.

Does it look like your story?

When we bring a dog or a cat home, most of us do mathematics, find out what their requirements will be: constant care, morning and evening walks, time, food, and of course, regularly. While our pets can have the best intentions for our pets, a place where many of us can be wrong: planning their food.

For a true pet parents, life often revolves around his beloved friends – they try to make every effort to keep them happy and healthy. But despite being careful about everything else, if their food does not conform to their ideal part or lifestyle, dear parents, then you can do more harm than good because it can cause pet obesity.

Yes, you heard that right. Like us, if we do not take care of what our pets eat, they can increase weight at the point of becoming immobile. Food is a love language in India, but if you feel that feeding your pets more and more makes them a better parents, then think again. This can actually make you an inadvertent villain in their story.

Love = food?

Over 14,000 pet owners in eight countries including India and 1,750 veterinary professionals recently showed an increase in domesticated obesity, about 40% of adult cats and dogs have been classified as overweight or obesity globally.

Mars Petcare India Animal Advisor Dr. Umesh Kalahalli says, “Obesity in pets is largely operated by overfiding and undercapting.” “Busy schedule means less. Add that every tail is a habit of interpreting the wag or mums as hunger, and we are handing over more calories than necessary.”

And yes, we are “guilty of just another treatment because he looks unhappy.” In fact, 41% of the pets owners of pets accept to give special behavior to pets when bored or alone. Emotional food, therefore, is not limited to humans, thanks to humans, of course.

Additionally, Dr. Kallahalli mentions that hypothyroidism such as nutrition, aging and certain health conditions can also slow metabolism, making pets more prone to obesity.

A part problem

How real confusion is to feed a pet. More than a quarter (26%) of pet parents do not know the ideal weight of their pet, and a shocking 17% cite misunderstanding as an important reason, which they struggle to manage it.

“We need to talk more about how much is too much,” the head of the head for the tail says Rashi Narang. “Any size-fit-With all diets, part control is important-based on breed, age and lifestyle.”

She says, “The way we are becoming more conscious about eating ourselves, we need to expand the awareness that we feed our beloved colleagues – more fresh, balanced diets that move towards which support their health needs,” she says.

Health cost of that additional kibble

The implications are more than just one chobi stomach. Thick pets are at risk:

• Diabetes and heart disease
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Breathing issues
• Complications during surgery
• A short lifetime
• And there is also an emotional decline.

Narang says, “What is my heart breaks, which is looking at a former active, playful puppy, once struggling to enjoy the activities.

What does a lack of awareness do for your pets

First things first, your responsibility does not end with just a dog or a cat. As you would take care of your own child if you had one – what they eat, how much they eat, what they eat is allergic to doing them, and so on and further – he also applies to that dear friend. Just if no one told you, the pet is equal to parenting, if it is not more difficult than bringing a child.

Therefore, you should have even more knowledge about their needs because they cannot express, unlike humans.

“Many of us do not have easy access to information about proper pet nutrition and exercise requirements. There is also a difference in understanding what a healthy weight looks for different breeds. Many pet parents do not recognize that when their pet does not have overweight, there are no health problems until they do not have more weight.

Dr. Kallahli says that sometimes, pet parents also misinterpret their pets as an indication of hunger and start giving small but frequent parts of food. These additional calories can quickly add and increase increased weight. Without a basic understanding of regular VET consultation and pet nutrition, weight gain is not taken care of until health issues arise.

Sad part – pet abandonment

Yes, it seems sad, but it is absolutely true and happening all over the world (you must have seen some couples too). Pet abandonment is one of the most pressure and heartbreaking contributors to be homeless in India.

All is good until it is. “Many pets owners leave their pets, when lifestyle changes, financial stress, or new family dynamics such as lifestyle changes and often, are without warnings,” says Kallahali.

According to the State of Pet Homeless report by Mars Petcare, India currently has over 69 million homeless cats and dogs over 60.5 million. A shocking 38% dog owners and 57% cat owners said they are considering leaving their pet in the following year.

So, there is a whole mentality that a decision to achieve or buy a pet requires conditioning before a dip.

So, how do you really care?

As mentioned, it all starts with conditioning itself. You need to understand yourself why you are getting a dog or a cat. Is this because you are alone and need a company or you really want to make a difference in that dog’s life. This will give you a clear vision.

Once you decide, here is told how you can set a routine for them. Week Rashi Narang shared some signs to help you start:

• Start with a chat with your vet – they can help you understand what your pet’s specific breed, age and health conditions are ideal.
• Focus on high quality, balanced diet suitable for your pet’s specific requirements.
• The option of part-controlled food for zero preservatives or filled dogs.
• Pre-painted foods help to estimate from serving sizes, which is one of the biggest challenges in weight management.
• Behavior is allowed – but again part control. Don’t go overboard.
• Exercise does not have to be intensified – it should be fun, but attach them.
• For dogs, aim at least 30 minutes of activity daily, whether it goes, plays session, or swimming.
• For cats, interactive toys that stimulate their hunting tendency may continue to move.
• Be patient with progress – weight loss should be gradual, about 1-2%of body weight per week.

And most importantly, remember:

They are not just pets – you are their whole world.

They trust you with every wag, every parr, every tired small claws.

Respect for that love; They are not toys, they are families.