Tips to keep your pets from getting fat

Bode, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who belongs to Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore and his wife, Courtney, models a Ruffwear hiking pack and hiking shoes made for dogs. Bode, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who belongs to Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore and his wife, Courtney, models a Ruffwear hiking pack and hiking shoes made for dogs.

By Lynda Edwards March 20, 2016 9 min read

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Roly-poly pets: Dogs, cats, bunnies — even parrots and snakes — can get fat if they’re not fed properly

Bode, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who belongs to Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore and his wife, models a Ruffwear hiking shoes made for dogs.

Bode, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who belongs to Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore and his wife, models a Ruffwear hiking pack and hiking shoes made for dogs.

Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore demonstrates a cat toy called "Da Bird" which helps keep cats active and, hopefully, slender.

Nooga Paws co-owner Bob Poore shows a cat scratching post to help keep cats active.

Dr. Shannon Dawkins pets Wilson, a black lab mix that recently lost weight after his owners followed Dawkins' recommendations for a healthier diet.

Ladybug, a 50-pound Australian cattle dog mix, was a bit chunky when she abandoned and found her way to a McMinn County farm and refused to leave. Adopted by the family, she soon ate so well she ballooned to 50 pounds. Ladybug's owner hopes she can lose 15 to 20 pounds so she will be healthy as well as happy.

Weight loss tips

› Don’t just keep refilling the pet’s bowl or birdcage feeder. They usually eat as often as they see food. Feed them at specific times during the day.› Look at the ingredients on the bagged or canned pet food. Don’t buy dog or cat food that contains sugar, grains, corn, soy or additives. They’re not easy for your pet to digest.› Give your cat or dog cooked chicken, fish or beef for breakfast/dinner and chopped-up pear or cubed apples for special snacks. Stay away from packaged biscuits.› Green beans are a hit with most dogs as a low-calorie treat that is high in antioxidants.› A rabbit’s digestive system is designed for hay and veggies. When a pet owner deviates from that diet, the bunny gets belly fat and problems. Remember, Peter Cottontail didn’t invade the farm looking for steak. In addition to veggies, bunnies need good quality hay for roughage. An occasional slice of fruit can be a treat.› Snakes get fat when their owners feed them too many mice. Stop that. Don’t be that guy.Sources: Claws and Paws’ Dr. Shannon Dawkins, Tri-County Animal Clinic’s Trey Moyer, Nooga Paws owner Bob Poore

The humans who adopted Wilson, a black lab mix, brought him from the animal shelter to their Hixson home, where he was so smart he learned to do tricks the first day. Their love made his sweet, friendly personality blossom.

But his torso also blossomed with chunky love handles until he was shaped like a giant sausage. He easily became exhausted trying to waddle up the porch stairs, and he clearly felt uncomfortable climbing onto the corner of the couch reserved for him.

For help, his owners turned to Dr. Shannon Dawkins, a veterinarian who calls her medical practice Claws and Paws. She drives a truck outfitted with a mobile surgical unit complete with lasers, a scale, an anesthesia machine and a fridge to store blood and medicines. She drives to pet owners’ homes then weighs, examines and even operates on furry, feathered and scaly patients.

The same signs that can be seen on Wilson are part of an epidemic that has hit Chattanooga and pretty much everywhere else: pudgy pooches, beach ball-shaped cats, parrots that look like watermelons, blubbery bunnies, even chubby snakes.