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Slentrol: A Diet Pill for Dogs

When I first heard about Pfizer’s Slentrol, which was approved yesterday by the FDA as a diet pill (appetite suppressant + blocker of fat absorption) for dogs, I thought that finding an analogy would be a difficult task, because a canine diet pill seems so  . . .  wrong.

Riddle me this: In what situation would you give someone a pill to correct a condition that you yourself were responsible for? In what situation would you not correct your behavior rather than creating a pill for it?

Answer: Just about any situation. Welcome to America!

For cases that are not related to illness or congenital (and Slentrol isn’t for them, anyway) the intervention is simple: reverse what you’ve been doing/not doing. If there’s one thing (and I think there really is just one thing) I agree with Cesar Millan about, it’s that Americans don’t walk their dogs enough. 75% of the dogs at the dog park I go to are overweight, if not obese. The same is true in my cushy neighborhood. Note to self: The dog "owners" have similar weight problems.

Hmmmm.

It was inevitable that in a country with horrendous eating habits and millions of obese people, that behavior would soon affect/trickle down to/be imposed upon our companion animals. In my opinion, this is a form of abuse. We are too lazy to get off the couch and walk the poor creature, just as we are too lazy to get off the couch and go for a run for ourselves. If you don’t care about your own health, that’s fine; you’re not hurting anyone but yourself. But once you start imposing your unhealthy ways on your children and companion animals, you’ve crossed the line and you’re harming them.

This is yet another area where we (Americans) attempt to find a quick and easy way to deal with a problem that doesn’t have a quick and easy solution. If your dog is overweight, he didn’t get that way overnight or by himself. He had your help, over time.

If you have an overweight dog, help him the good old fashioned way: good quality food, small portions, few snacks, and lots of exercise.

3 Comments Post a comment
  1. Mike B. #

    Too many persons purchase dogs not as companions but as consumer goods without appreciating the responsibilities of pet ownership. The introduction of this new doggie pill surprises me no more than the pill for the euphemistically-titled "Restless Leg Syndrome". I'm surprised we haven't been supplied the term "Canine Obesity Syndrome" to give this unnecessary medication more legitimacy. The solution to both of these ailments of affluence and inertia is simple: go walkies!

    January 10, 2007
  2. Michele Robinson #

    After reading your comment on Slentrol weight loss for dogs, I feel like I should have listened to my son, because he had the same comments as you posted. After the Vets getting on me for my Bulldogs being 10 lbs overweight and learned that Slentrol was available. I got the 2 prescriptions for $95.00 and started them on the liquid weight loss medicine. I had my reservations after reading that vomiting was a side effect, however I thought every drug states that. They were okay the first day probably was not enought in their system. One bulldog woke up during the day and just started vomiting, I wasn't home, my daughter told me about it. Now tonight my other bullie vomited 2 times so much that I will not continue with this drug. I feed my bulldogs chicken breast or ground turkey with their dry food at night, although I give too many snacks and that is the reason for their 10 lbs overweight, besides it was hot during the summer and not enough exercise. But I will not put my dogs through this torture. My son was against me using it, like yourself he said just reduce their food intake…..well this time he was right. My dogs haven't vomited in over a year before this, it could be a coincidence and be a virus, but I doubt it. Thanks, Michele

    December 21, 2007
  3. Too many persons purchase dogs not as companions but as consumer goods without appreciating the responsibilities of pet ownership. The introduction of this new doggie pill surprises me no more than the pill for the euphemistically-titled "Restless Leg Syndrome". I'm surprised we haven't been supplied the term "Canine Obesity Syndrome" to give this unnecessary medication more legitimacy. The solution to both of these ailments of affluence and inertia is simple: go walkies!

    December 29, 2008

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