When Kai was 3 months old, he was a chubby puppy because he was getting so many treats as rewards for his good behavior.
Although his owner very carefully cut his treats in half until he shed his baby fat, she said it was difficult.
"When he got older and the vet said to increase his food," Karen Gallant said, "I kept his food at one cup and gave him more treats."
Although Gallant's approach works for her German shepherd, the constant snacks could lead to Kai's need for Slentrol, a drug for obese dogs approved by the FDA last Friday. Slentrol, which comes in liquid form, reduces the amount of fat a dog can absorb, while inducing a feeling of fullness. It will be available by prescription in the spring and is only for dogs.
Gallant said she would only give Kai the drug if he had a medical problem or extremely slow metabolism. For now, she said, she'll stick to her daily regimen of meals, snacks and driving to the Derry Dog Park from Concord, N.H., for exercise.
"I'd think about it if the vet thought he needed it," she said. "And I wouldn't ever overfeed my dog, then give him medicine."
According to the FDA, dogs that weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight are obese. That accounts for 5 percent of dogs, while another 20 to 30 percent are considered overweight.
Although his owner very carefully cut his treats in half until he shed his baby fat, she said it was difficult.
"When he got older and the vet said to increase his food," Karen Gallant said, "I kept his food at one cup and gave him more treats."
Although Gallant's approach works for her German shepherd, the constant snacks could lead to Kai's need for Slentrol, a drug for obese dogs approved by the FDA last Friday. Slentrol, which comes in liquid form, reduces the amount of fat a dog can absorb, while inducing a feeling of fullness. It will be available by prescription in the spring and is only for dogs.
Gallant said she would only give Kai the drug if he had a medical problem or extremely slow metabolism. For now, she said, she'll stick to her daily regimen of meals, snacks and driving to the Derry Dog Park from Concord, N.H., for exercise.
"I'd think about it if the vet thought he needed it," she said. "And I wouldn't ever overfeed my dog, then give him medicine."
According to the FDA, dogs that weigh 20 percent more than their ideal weight are obese. That accounts for 5 percent of dogs, while another 20 to 30 percent are considered overweight.
Bud Evans, owner of Derry Feed and Supply, said he believes there are more overweight dogs because of the rise of super-premium foods, which have 30 percent more protein and 20 percent more fat. He said owners don't realize they should only be giving their dogs half the portion of regular food.
"People love their animals," Evans said. "Feeding them extra treats is a sign of affection."
He said when weighing the options of giving dogs less food, a scientific diet or a new drug, he doesn't think many owners will choose the drug.
"I don't think it's really going to take off," Evans said.
If all dog owners are like those who bring their dogs to play at the Derry Dog Park, Evans is correct.
Meagan Pollard, who brought her puppy Dylan to play there yesterday, said she never would give him Slentrol, especially once she heard of the side effects. Loose stools, vomiting and lethargy are just a few of the possibilities.
"Who wants to be cleaning diarrhea off the kitchen floor?" Pollard said.
No one.
But there will still be dog owners who have trouble saying "No" to their furry friends, like Mike Gill of Derry, N.H. He's cut back on sharing his Burger King french fries with Emmy, his daughter's terrier who he babysits every day. But after not giving her any scraps all week, she did get a little roast beef from his sandwich yesterday.
If she's happy, Gill said, he doesn't see why it matters whether Emmy weighs 20 or 30 pounds.
