Recently, it was announced that the slimming pen craze had reached pets. A pharmaceutical company in the United States has started testing the drug on cats, but the aim is to enable weight loss in dogs as well.
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However, it is necessary to evaluate the reasons why a pet needs to use weight loss medications. If they are not in control of their own food, owners need to be careful about how they feed their pets. In most cases, obesity in dogs and cats is the responsibility of the owner.
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Ozempic is a medicine to control diabetes, but it also causes weight loss. A higher dose of the same active ingredient, sold to combat obesity, is sold under the name Wegovy.
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Weight loss pens like Wegovy also have side effects such as nausea and changes in bowel function.
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An injectable drug created for diabetic patients, Ozempic has become an ally in the “fight against tartar” but will soon be overtaken by new versions
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Renata Roma, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) and an expert on animal bonds, says that human behavior directly influences the weight of pets. “Many owners offer high-calorie or diet-inappropriate foods, not realizing that these products do not contain the necessary nutrients.”
Human behavior is the main problem
She explains that the choices the owner makes have a significant impact on the animal’s health. “When this is combined with a poor physical activity routine, not only does he gain weight, but he also develops metabolic and joint problems and a general decline in his quality of life.”
Cleber Santos, from Grupo Comportpet, says obesity is not a problem that occurs in the absence of medication. “Solutions for losing weight may exist, but they do not replace what really transforms health: physical and mental activity, environmental enrichment, correct nutrition and professional supervision. »
Obesity in dogs and cats is the result of inappropriate behavior on the part of their owners
According to him, some of the most common mistakes made by tutors are:
- The food is left undisturbed all day;
- Excessive snacking;
- Human food, table scraps, sweets and bread;
- Lack of dietary protocol and defined schedules;
- Do not follow the quantities recommended by the food manufacturer;
- Food exposed for hours, oxidizing and losing quality;
- Lack of physical, mental and recreational activity;
- Lack of structured routine.
Food is not a symbol of affection for pets
One of the problems is that people confuse emotional connection with the offering of food. “Food becomes a way of pampering, affection or even compensating for lack of time to play, exercise or interact with the animal. The intention is not to harm, but there is a misconception that more food means more love,” explains Renata.
According to the expert, this logic is one of the factors that end up compromising the health of dogs and cats, because instead of providing care, the owner creates a cycle that reduces the quality of life.
For pets, food should not be a symbol of affection
“All of this completely dysregulates the dog’s behavior, causing him to eat out of boredom, anxiety or lack of stimulation, and not out of real hunger,” adds Cleber.
The change is in human beings
Renata emphasizes that change only begins when the person understands that real hunger is different from spoiling the animal. “There are many ways to keep him happy that don’t involve food. Many owners who offer too much have similar difficulties with their own diet and end up repeating the same pattern.”
For Cleber, there is no magic solution, like pens. According to him, before thinking about medication, the owner should take the animal to a veterinarian, adjust its diet, remove unnecessary snacks and human food, create an activity routine and control anxiety and stress, which are the main triggers.
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“These weight loss solutions, such as implants or enclosures that reduce appetite, can even play a role in very specific cases and under veterinary supervision, but they do not constitute the main response to animal obesity. They treat the symptom and not the cause,” advises the professional.
He also adds that any medicine should be considered as a complement and not as a main route. Indeed, especially in dogs, the body is not prepared to live on medications. “Without behavior change, any intervention will be ineffective and potentially harmful,” he warns.
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