By Sarah Wilson & Brian Kilcommons

BLONDE AND ADORABLE, 5-year-old Betsy is a natural model. While Betsy doesn't watch her weight, her adoptive mother, Jane Dweck of New Canaan, Conn., does. Jane's husband thinks she's crazy. He calls her a drill sergeant and slips goodies to Betsy. But Jane is on to him. No cookies, no treats and definitely no more freeze-dried liver!

A cocker spaniel, Betsy struggles with a problem shared by at least 40% of dogs and cats (and by 65% of human Americans): weight issues. Of course, Betsy never wonders: "Does this collar make me look fat?" But Jane knows better. She understands that keeping Betsy lean is the best way to show her love-no matter what those big brown eyes are pleading for.

As a nation, we need to follow Jane's lead: We love our pets too much to feed them too much. But the reality is not that simple. "People do not want to hear that their pet is heavy," says veterinarian Michael Moyer of Bensalem, Pa. "A client just brought her 32-pound cat in for a checkup She saw no problem." A recent study by Purina revealed that fewer than 30% of dog owners rated their pets as overweight, while 79% of veterinarians disagreed. We can't cut the fat if we can't see it. The first step: Let's get beyond those puppy-dog eyes and really look at our pets.

Waist not? When you examine your dog or cat from both the top and the side, you should see a noticeable waist below the rib cage. Regardless of breed or age, the ribs should be the widest part of the body. The ripple of the ribs should be easily felt as you stroke your pet's sides. If you have to press down to find the bones-or can't locate them at all-there's too much fat.

So what if your pet is pudgy? "It is difficult to convey to owners that they are shortening their dog's life through obesity," explains Deborah Gross Saunders, a physical therapist for animals in East Haddam, Conn. Obesity can reduce a dog's life span by 15%-an average of almost two years. Overweight pets risk the same health complications we do: Breathing is harder, knees fall apart, the heart is strained, moving hurts and diabetes becomes common. Long-backed dogs (dachshunds, corgis) risk painful disc injuries.

The healthy solution is the same for all of us mammals: Burn more calories than we take in. And we must learn to cope with temptation. Since we control our pet's food-both in type and amount-it's clear who needs to change: We do. (And contrary to popular myth, neutering does not make your dog or cat fat. You should neuter your pet!)

Cutting back on your pet's regular fare can reduce caloric intake, but you don't want to sacrifice nutrition. The good news? There are more dining options for pets than ever before. A variety of products are now formulated to provide the animal ample nutrition with fewer calories.

When we overfeed our pets, we literally may be loving them to death

"Sharing snacks with our best friends is an important part of the bond we share," says Dr. Andrea Fascetti, associate professor of nutrition at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. So you still can give treats- just make sure they are healthy. Measure out meals in the morning and set some kibbles aside as treats Once the food is under control, it's time to get moving-carefully. "Animals that need to lose weight also can have other medical conditions," cautions Dr. Fascetti. "Consult with your veterinarian to see what exercise is safe." An unfit, overweight dog can hurt himself by doing too much too soon. "Begin with slow leash walks-even a few times a day-and then progress as the dog feels stronger," says Deborah Gross Saunders. "Don't immediately take your dog for a three-mile run."

Be Careful With Cats.

"Severe caloric restrictions can he harmful or even deadly in overweight cats," warns Dr. Fascetti. It's best to consult your veterinarian for food recommendations. Some 16 million cat owners have more than one cat, which makes it difficult to put one on a special diet. Luckily, new options have come on the market, such as multi-cat formulas that help heavyweights lose while keeping slimmer companions in good shape.

Cats-Olympic level loungers-need a reason to move. By supplying fun activities (dangle a Feather on a string, bat around a Ping-Pong ball), you can get his little heart pumping. Or set out multiple mini-meals around the house to make him hike for his dinner.

Many of us say we "love our pets to death." That may be exactly what we're doing. Instead, let's love them to life-through exercise, play, and training. That's what Jane Dweck does. "I want this dog around for a long time," she says. "Keeping Betsy fit and lean is my gift to her. Not that she always agrees with me. That's OK. I know what's best for her"

Healthy Tips

• Promote good eating habits. The best way to prevent your pet from begging is to not feed from the table, If you really want to share a meal, then serve it after you eat-in the pet's bowl, in the kitchen. Small amounts of plain meats and vegetables are best. To be safe, stick with several small meals of pet food throughout the day.
  
• Share low-cal snacks. Try offering bits of apple or carrot
  
• Substitute strokes for treats. A belly rub or grooming is a great zero-calorie reward. Remember, your pet craves your attention most of all.
  
  

This article is from the January 16th, 2006 Parade Magazine