Add Years To Your Pet's Life And Life To His Years

(NAPSI)-We've heard it all before, whether it's for ourselves or our pets: Eat right and exercise. Now, a new study reveals it's more important than ever to make sure our pets are in ideal body condition-it could literally add years to their lives.

In the first-ever lifelong canine diet restriction study, Purina researchers have proven a dog's median life span can be extended by 15 percent by feeding to ideal body condition through diet restriction. According to findings of the 14-year study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs that consumed 25 percent fewer calories than their littermates maintained a lean or ideal body condition, resulting in a longer life.

However, while the study reveals the crucial role ideal body condition plays in health and longevity, obesity remains the number one nutritional problem among dogs with at least 25 percent of dogs in the U.S. estimated as being overweight. As with humans, obesity is a serious concern that can lead to or exacerbate certain health conditions. Maintaining an ideal body condition reduces the likelihood your dog will develop weight-related conditions that can be painful and even life-threatening.

"Many pet owners don't realize the effects just a few extra pounds can have on their pet's health," says Aine McCarthy, veterinarian and executive director of the Purina Pet Institute. "For instance, five extra pounds on a 20-pound dog is like a person weighing 200 pounds when they should weigh 160 pounds. Unfortunately, many pet owners don't know what a healthy weight looks like or how to maintain it."

Ideal body condition

Body condition refers to the evaluation of body physique as an indicator of a pet's overall health and well-being, generally falling into three categories: underfed, ideal and overfed.

• Underfed: The ribs are highly visible.
• Ideal: Able to feel and see the outline of the dog's ribs. The dog has a waist when viewed from above and the belly appears tucked up when viewed from the side.
• Overfed: Dog has no waist when viewed from above, and the belly is rounded when viewed from the side.

A lean or ideal body condition supports joints and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, blood pressure and heart rate, improving your dog's overall well-being throughout his life.

The Purina Life Planª, which includes a graphic of the three body condition categories, appears on all Purina dog product packages, making it easy for owners to compare their pet's body condition to the illustrations of an underfed, ideal and overfed dog.

In addition to following the Purina Life Plan, the Purina Pet Institute offers the following guidelines.

Monthly rib check. Perform the following hands-on and visual evaluation once a month to determine your pet's condition:

• Ribs: Place both thumbs on your dog's backbone. Run your fingers along the rib cage. If you can't easily feel the bony part of each rib, the dog may need to lose weight.
• Overhead: Stand directly over your dog as he's standing and look down. You should see a clearly defined waist behind the ribs. If he doesn't have an "hour glass" figure, he may be carrying a few extra pounds.
• Profile: Check your dog's profile. If you don't see a clearly defined abdomen tucked up behind his rib cage, he is probably overweight.

Start young. Owners should evaluate their puppy's body condition from the start to positively affect their dog's health long-term. Though puppies require more calories than the average adult dog, if their portions aren't controlled, such a high-calorie diet can lead to excess weight early in life that may lead to obesity.

Limit treats and table scraps. Reduce calorie-laden treats in your dog's diet; instead use your time and attention as rewards. If you prefer to continue providing food as a reward, stick to commercially prepared treats and factor them into your pet's total caloric allowance. Refrain from giving your dog any table scraps.

Measure it. Many people simply overfeed their dogs at meal time without realizing it. Always measure how much food you give your dog. The instructions on dog food packages offer a good starting point.

Exercise. The best weight loss results are achieved when better eating habits are combined with moderate exercise. Taking walks a few times a week or regularly playing a game of fetch are great ways to be active with your dog. Check with your veterinarian to determine the type and duration of exercise that is appropriate.

For more information on the Purina Life Span study findings, visit the Purina Pet Institute Web site at www.purina.com.

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