Health
Pet Obesity: The Most Common — and Most Fixable — Health Problem
Why it matters so much
Surveys consistently classify over half of US dogs and cats as overweight or obese. Extra weight fuels arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems and shortens lifespan — landmark research found lean dogs live meaningfully longer than their heavier littermates.
The rib test
You should feel ribs easily under a light fat cover (like the back of your hand), see a waist from above, and a belly tuck from the side. If you can't, your pet is likely carrying extra — your vet can score body condition in seconds.
The fix is mostly the bowl
Measure meals with an actual cup, cut the guess-feeding, and remember treats count — swap biscuits for carrots, green beans, or a few pieces of their own kibble. In multi-pet homes, feed separately so the dieter can't raid the buffet.
Move more, gently
Add ten minutes to walks, play fetch on stairs (for healthy joints), use food puzzles instead of bowls, and get cats chasing a wand toy nightly. Aim for slow loss — your vet can set a target weight and check progress monthly.
If you need a cremation arranged
Ease The Paw arranges pet cremation across South Africa. We find the crematorium, book the collection, stay on it until the ashes are back with you, and set a lock of their fur into a paw print keychain in the colour you choose. A flat R500 covers the coordination and the keychain — the crematorium bills you directly at their own rate.
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