Pets can suffer from high cholesterol just like people. Cholesterol and triglycerides are the fats (lipids) in the blood stream and elevations of these levels is called hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia can cause severe heart-related and other problems in people and 500,000 Americans die from this condition each year.

Hyperlipidemia is most common in dogs and has been overlooked as a cause of dog health problems until fairly recently. Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for pet obesity, gastrointestinal upset, vision problems and even more life threatening problems like canine pancreatitis and seizures.

Hyperlipidemia is easily diagnosed by basic blood work and can usually be effectively treated with a low fat diet and fatty acid pet supplements.

Click here to read more about identifying and managing hyperlipidemia in dogs.

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Exercise is a great way to have fun with your dog while keeping pet obesity under control. Those tired of playing the same old game of fetch, however, may be interested in checking out competitive dog sports as an exciting way to bond with your dog and keep his weight under control. There are courses all over the world that specialize in dog training for these events, and there are many sports that are open to all breeds, including the following:

Flyball: These races involve teams of four dogs competing in relay fashion to complete a 51-foot long course. The course consists of a series of jumps, which lead to an automatic tennis ball launcher that the dogs must trigger and then retrieve the ball. There are over 375 active flyball clubs registered in North America, so there is likely to be a local team that your dog can compete with.

Agility: A good way to promote both dog health and obedience, agility is a sport that involves completing a timed obstacle course. Dog agility courses are commonly made up of hurdles, ramps, tunnels, see-saws, and tire jumps.

Canine Freestyle: Does your dog have a flair for musical interpretation? If so, canine freestyle might be right for your dancing dogs. In this competition, training and teamwork are emphasized as dog and handler work together in a choreographed performance set to music.

Disc Dog: If your dog enjoys playing frisbee, disc dog is likely to be an enjoyable event for him. Events include distance catching, which is your basic game of toss and fetch, as well as freestyle catching, where dogs are rewarded for canine athleticism and showmanship.

Rally: In this sport, dogs and their handlers complete a 10-20 station course. Instructions are placed at each station explaining the skill that must be performed. Although similar to obedience courses, canine rally is a good choice for beginners, as it is not scored as strictly as traditional obedience competition.

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Now you can get expert pet advice delivered straight to your iPod! In an effort to continually bring you the best information on pet health and natural pet care, Halo is introducing a podcast. Upcoming episodes will focus on topics that are important to those interested in the growing world of holistic pet care.

Download the first episode: Improving Your Pet’s Health: How to Eliminate Pet Obesity

Q: Hi, I am looking for some names of doctors that treat both pets and people with obesity. Any information that you have on this subject would be amazing.

A: Your best bet is a university-based nutritionist that deals with both human and pet obesity. Most universities have comparative medicine departments and nutrition departments and an on-line search can get you the contact number for these departments. I have recently met the following individual that specializes in this field:

Roschelle Heuberger, Ph.D., R.D., Associate Professor of Foods and Nutrition, Graduate Program Director, Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University. 117 Wright Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, Office (989) 774-3571, Fax (989) 774-2434, heube1ra@cmich.edu.

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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It is no secret that pet obesity has become a problem for many of our fat cats and dogs. While the situation can be greatly helped by making sure our furry friends eat a healthy natural pet food diet, it is just as important to exercise our pets. For dogs, there are a number of easy options: daily walks, strolls in the park, and friendly games of fetch are all activities likely to be enjoyed by dogs and their human companions alike.

But what about our feline friends? They need exercise too, but it’s often a bit more difficult to entice Fluffy to come out and play. The key may be finding a game that interests your favorite kitty. A few suggestions for feline playtime:

Laser Tag: Remember when pocket size laser pointers were all the rage? You’ve probably still got one lurking around the house. Dust it off and aim the light at the wall for your cat to chase. Many cats enjoy pouncing on the darting beam of light. Just be careful to keep the light away from your kitty’s eyes.

Catnip Craziness: It’s an old standard, but most kitties do love catnip. Halo Liv-a-Littles Catnip comes with a cotton sack toy that you can fill up for your cat’s delight. Sit back and watch your kitty entertain himself batting around his new toy.

Toy Hunting: There are any number of toy mice and such that can be purchased in pet stores. The trouble is, many cats will simply take one look at these items and decide to ignore them. That’s where you come in – interaction is the secret to getting many cats to play. It’s up to you to make your cat’s toys come to life; by sitting with your cat and varying the speed and movement of his toys, you can often entice even the most lethargic felines to play.

It’s in the Bag: Many cats just can’t resist playing with a paper grocery bag. Placing a paper bag on its side for your kitty to explore is often an easy way to encourage activity. You can even cut some holes in the sides for your cat to dart in and out of. Make sure not to leave your cat alone with the bag though – for his or her safety, this should be a monitored game.

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