By DR. FRED SELF / Veterinarian

Almost daily, the media bombards us with reports of the growing obesity problem in America. Reportedly, our nation is gaining weight at an alarming rate. If that is truly the case, we are passing our bad habits along to our pets.

A problem we see on a daily basis is weight gain, both in dogs and cats. The difference between our weight gain and that of our pets is that we have only ourselves to blame. Our pets can blame themselves, as well as us.

The best way to put weight on a pet is to follow the buffet-style feeding plan. Like a person that eats and returns over and over to the buffet line, a pet given the chance to eat and return later to a full bowl will put on weight quickly.

It is more appropriate to feed a pet in two portions, roughly 12 hours apart. They get the right quantity of food per day with the bonus of having it spread out over the day.

Another way we add pounds on our pets is with treats. We like to give treats for every good thing they do. We give treats to get them to leave us alone and we give them treats just because we love them.

It is not bad to give treats, but we should decrease the total volume given. When your pup goes out to potty and comes back in, just give him half a treat instead of a whole one or only give a treat every other time.

Another way to fight the battle of the bulge with treats is to use vegetables and fruits. Low sodium green beans, for example, make a good reward. Just do not give a whole can.

There is some controversy as to whether having a pet spayed or neutered causes them to gain weight. There is no good way to determine whether a pet that has been spayed or neutered and then gains weight would have gained that weight anyway. Another point is that there are as many overweight pets that have not been spayed or neutered. It is possible that the loss of hormones, due to surgical removal, could cause weight gain. It is just as likely that these pets’ owners are overfeeding.

In the end, our pets rely on us to help them make healthy food and snack choices. Remember quality is more important than quantity.

Dr. Fred Self is a veterinarian at Shelbiana Animal Clinic, along with Dr. Charles Thornburg. You can reach him at 669-7717.