Obesity in Dogs and Overweight Cats - is there something in the food?

Our pets don't want to be overweight. They know something isn't right, but they are helpless to do anything about it. They depend on us to provide them with everything they need to be healthy.

I want to spotlight something that is little known about commercial pet food and may be the reason your beloved is overweight.

Numerous articles on the web discuss the link between kibble, canned pet food, and obesity, highlighting a possible issue: the feeding instructions on pet food packaging may lead to overfeeding your dog or cat. I can't state if this is true or not. However, there is something specific in the food that may be the very culprit of obesity in your cat or dog (and your Vet doesn't know this).

Commercial pet food is over cooked, highly processed and contains a number of ingredients that are not fit for consumption, by human or beast. During one of the last phases of processing, a starchy mixture combination is added to the food to make it more "palatable".

Its purpose is to cover up the unpleasant flavor of the ingredients that come from various sources that you would be very shocked to hear about (euthanized animals, roadkill, diseased animal parts, and more). I will get into this another time. Expensive pet food in pretty bags is not omitted from this process, unless it specifically states human grade ingredients.

When your pet ingests starch, it breaks down in the body as a sugar, creating a Yo-Yo affect on blood glucose.  Too much sugar overtime causes insulin resistance. Insulin resistance creates an environment for obesity in your pet.

What is insulin resistance?

It is a condition where the body's cells don't respond effectively to the hormone insulin. To explain it in simpler terms, imagine insulin as a key, and the cells in your body as locks.

In a healthy body, when your pet eats, especially foods that contain sugars and carbohydrates, the blood sugar levels rise.

In response, the pancreas releases insulin, which acts like a key to unlock the cells, allowing them to absorb the sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream for energy. This process helps keeps blood sugar levels in check.

However, in the case of insulin resistance, something goes awry. The locks (cells) don't respond well to the key (insulin). It's like the cells have become a bit stubborn and resistant to the key's efforts. As a result:

1. Blood Sugar Levels Rise: Because the cells aren't absorbing glucose efficiently, blood sugar levels remain elevated.
2. Pancreas Works Harder: To compensate for this resistance, the pancreas produces more insulin, trying to force the cells to open up and let the glucose in.
3. Higher Insulin Levels: Over time, your pet ends up with higher levels of insulin in your bloodstream, which isn't ideal for your overall health.

The best food for overweight dogs and cats

It may be time to consider other options for your pet's diet. I have witnessed dozens and dozens of pets lose weight after they change to a balanced whole foods diet. Their insulin levels normalized, and the nutrients were readily absorbed to nourish their body, providing an abundance of health and thriving within a short period of time.

Samples of Whole foods Diets for dogs and cats:

Barfworld- offers raw diets for dogs and freeze dried diets for cats

Honest Kitchen for cats: 

Honest Kitchen food for dogs: 

Dr. Harveys food for dogs:

It isn't your Vet's fault that he/she didn't mention this to you. Veterinarians only receive a short training on nutrition, and the training is provided by the kibble companies.

Unfortunately, the first remedy your Vet will provide is diet pet food. Take a breath.  Diet pet food is not the answer. Diet pet food is made from empty carbs and poor quality ingredients that also convert to sugar in your pet's body, making the problem worse.

That is one reason a holistic veterinarian or pet practitioner can be of service to you. Both will empower your steps with knowledge and instruction with options available to achieve vital health for your dog or cat.

I must also mention, that there may be other reasons your pet is overweight.

Other Reasons for Obesity in Pets

Before jumping to any conclusion about disease causing obesity in your pet, I highly recommend changing your pet's diet to a more nourishing, balanced wholefoods source that is species appropriate. 90% of the time, I have found that this will cure or alleviate any disease or health concern, which includes obesity.

If you are looking for natural solutions for your dogs or cats and just not sure what to do next, let's talk. Click on the button below to set up a call.