OverSixty January 2023 Issue

22 LIFESTYLE ISSUE 3 | JANUARY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU The Pancho Clause NATHAN M Soon after I sustained a severe leg injury, I found a cute Chihuahua cross on a pet- rescue website. Pancho was albino with a pink nose, red eyes, snow white hair and an inquisitive personality. He became the perfect pet, although a bit bossy. He insisted in joining in with everything and refused to be left out. Over the next nine months while my leg healed, he snuggled next to me on the couch to binge on Netflix series and growled at the villains. He barked if I left the fridge door open and helped me pick my Lotto numbers. He would bring my phone when it rang and insisted on playing fetch and tug-of-war for hours. Daily he joined me for rides on my disability scooter. He ran in front pulling me by his leash through suburban streets, as if he was a giant Husky running through the snow hills of Alaska. At the corners, Pancho decided which direction to turn. At the shopping centre he would jump up onto my lap and put his paws on the handlebars and steer the scooter, to the amusement of the shoppers. One day we arrived to a new pharmacy and I noted the sign, ‘No Dogs Allowed’. I climbed off my scooter, grabbed my walking stick and limped into the store, leaving Pancho tied to the scooter. When I reached the counter there was a commotion behind me and I turned to witness Pancho driving the scooter down the centre aisle of the pharmacy. Now the new rule in the pharmacy is ‘No Dogs allowed – unless they are driving a scooter!’ Ruling the roost MIKE MARINOS Our four cats and many chickens have grown up together and enjoy a peaceful coexistence. They share the same yard and eat from the same bowls, usually without a hint of trouble. One day, our eldest cat, Rocky, decided to break the rules. He caught a starling and proudly showed off his catch to the chooks. Quick to react, they fearlessly chased him around the garden, harrassing him until he dropped the little bird. The bird was slightly ruffled, but unharmed. Rocky? He’s been toeing the chooks’ line ever since. pet is gaining – or even losing – weight,” says Dr Harris. Howoften should you be weighing your pet? Every few months should suffice. If you don’t have a scale at home, pet stores and vet clinics often have scales that you can use for free. Their collar is suddenly too tight Once your fur baby is fully grown, he or she shouldn’t domuchmore growing.That’s why it’s a red flag if your pet’s collar seems to be getting “tired” and needs to be adjusted to a larger size, says Dr Saito. It could mean that your pet has been gaining weight. Your pet’s breathing is laboured Some panting is normal, but if all activities seem to make your pooch or kitty pant ex- cessively, there could be a problem. One big clue, says Dr Saito, is if this happens even after low-intensity exercise. That panting in- dicates that your pet is having trouble breath- ing, which could be related to excess weight. And if that’s not the cause of the breathing issues, you should still definitely pay a visit to your vet. Getting around is a challenge Is your pet having trouble getting in and out of the car, up and down furniture, and even up and down the stairs? While age or other medical issues can be a factor, so can weight. When pets weighmore than they should and especially if they’re obese, says Dr Saito, they often have joint pain. As a result, that pain could make them move gingerly. And even without joint pain, the extra weight can slow them down. Your pet has lost interest in physical activity If your pup forgoes a game of fetch or your cat no longer plays with the wand toys she used to love, check their weight. Whether you’re a pet or a person, carrying too much weight can be exhausting. That can make physical activity too much of an effort and a lot less appealing, Dr Saito explains. You’re in denial about your pet’s potential weight problem If you’re constantly shrugging off comments about your pet’s weight from family, friends, and even your vet, you could be in denial. “Pet parents often don’t want to believe their pet is really overweight,” Dr Harris says. SO what? Well, that’s a big, fat indication that your pet could have a problem – and that it will continue to be a problem. But by ac- knowledging the issue and making the nec- essary changes to your pet’s diet or exercise routine, you can get your pet’s weight – and health – on the right track. KAREN ASP PETS B eing overweight isn’t just a people prob- lem. It’s a problem that’s affecting our pet population in a big way. In 2020, the Aus- tralian Veterinary Association (AVA) report- ed that 41%of pets were overweight or obese, with those numbers believed to have risen since the pandemic. And while a chubby pet is certainly just as adorable and lovable as any other animal, you shouldn’t ignore this issue. Pets with weight woes can experience the same health consequences as humans, including an increased risk of diabetes, kid- ney disease, cancer, arthritis, and high blood pressure. The trouble is, pet parents often don’t know how to determine whether their fur baby is overweight. This veterinarian-ap- proved checklist can help you figure out if your pet is at a healthy weight. You can’t see a distinct waistline We know, we know: Your furry BFF is the most perfect, most beautiful, most wonder- ful pet in the whole wide world. While that may be true, try to be objective for a moment – at least when it comes to the weight issue. The first step: Get a bird’s-eye view of your dog or cat and see if you can spot a tuck at the 9 signs your pet may be overweight waist. If not, this is your first clue that there could be a problem, says veterinary epidemi- ologist Emi K. Saito. Your pet doesn’t have a six-pack While your pet’s stomach will never look like an athlete’s chiselled six-pack, of course, it should have some delineation. For this weight check, look at your pet from the side instead of the top. You should be able to see a nicely tucked abdomen. “If your pet’s shape looks like one straight line without any curve or tuck, this may indicate too much weight,” says veterinarian Dr Callie Harris. You can’t feel your pet’s ribs You can also determine if your dog or cat has a weight issue during your next cuddle ses- sion. Simply place your hands gently around your pet’s chest. What are you checking for? “You should be able to easily feel – but not see – your pet’s ribs,” Dr Saito says. If not and you have to dig deep, there may be too much fat covering those ribs. The number on the scale is climbing While weight alone may not be enough to determine if your pet is overweight, it’s still smart to get your pet on a scale periodical- ly. “It can be a helpful tracker to see if your “You should be able to easily feel – but not see – your pet’s ribs” Nipping any pet weight problems in the bud early will help them avoid any serious health consequences Photo and illustrations: Getty Images LIFESTYLE ANIMAL ESCAPADES These canny creatures run rings around their owners and peers There’s more to it than just checking the number on the scale. Here’s how to tell if your dog or cat needs to go on a diet