Diet pills approved...for your dog
Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
As you probably know, obesity is considered a national epidemic in the US -- it's the second leading cause of preventable death, with about 127 million adults considered overweight and 9 million considered grossly obese (that's two-thirds of the country). But did you know our dogs are getting fatter, too?
In response, Pfizer has created a doggy diet drug called Slentrol that has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Twenty to thirty percent of dogs are overweight or obese, and the problem seems to be on the rise, according to Stephen Sundlof, head of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Like humans, dogs can develop diabetes, heart trouble, and joint problems if they're not maintaining a healthy weight.
You could, incidentally, also walk the dog from time to time -- as, just like with humans, exercise is far healthier than dieting or pills when it comes to losing weight. It might even help you shave a few pounds.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
amanda 2-11-2007 @ 4:40PM
Your dogs are fat because you FEED them too much food! Reduse the portions- reduse the dog, stupid.
Reply
Kristen King 1-07-2007 @ 8:45PM
Right on, Amanda! Dogs can't exactly mosey over to McDonald's and pick up a Big Mac when they're feeling peckish. Feed your dog on a regular schedule and put the food away when mealtime is over, and you'll notice a big different quickly (assuming that you're not riddled with guilt and stuffing it with treats between meals). And yeah, walking from time to time wouldn't be a bad idea. Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, recommends at least a 45-minute walk every day for dogs, regardless of how big your yard is or how much you play with them. It's good for the dogs and for the owners.
A more interesting question might be why our society looks for medications and chemicals to solve problems like these instead of going with a free, immediately available solution that solves the problem and confers long-lasting benefits. Hmm...
Kristen
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