How to Shape Up Your Pet in 2017

Well, it’s a New Year, and with that usually comes our list of New Year’s Resolutions.  One of them is probably something to do with losing weight or getting into better shape.  Hmmm, have you had a look at your dog or cat lately?  Could they also benefit from a little shaping up and slimming down?  Probably so-I found this statistic shocking:  53% of adult dogs and 55% of adult cats in the United States, that’s 88.4 million pets, are classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarians.  (https://petobesityprevention.com) Yikes, that a TON.  But the bigger problem seems to be that those pets’ owners do not even realize that their beloved Fluffy or Fido are overweight.  22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners think their pet is a normal weight.  That has helped lead us into thinking that fat pets are the new normal.  Just as extra weight on us humans leads to health issues and complications, the same applies to our beloved pets.  It is our duty, as their guardians, to help them lead long and healthy lives and drop those extra pounds that could lead to negative health problems and shorten the time we have together – nobody wants that to happen.

In a normal weight dog, you should be able to feel their rib cage, their spine and the muscles all along their frame.  Looking from above your pet, you should see a definite curve in at their waist.  If you cannot, your pup could be headed down the wrong path.  And a lot of the same health issues we face when we are overweight affect our pets, such as:  certain cancers; high blood pressure; kidney disease; osteoarthritis; joint problems; heart disease; respiratory disease; type-2 diabetes; and shorter life span.  Also keep in mind that your overweight dog may be less inclined to interact with you and your family, preferring to sleep instead of playing a round of fetch or going for a nice walk.  This could be because he’s overweight and therefore uncomfortable moving around, but it could also mask other problems that you attribute to your dog just getting lazy as he gets older.

The basis cause of an overweight pet is too much food and not enough exercise.  Obesity in pets is easily preventable if you keep a close eye on what and how much they are eating and also provide them with exercise appropriate for their size and age.  Just as recommended for humans, check with your veterinarian to rule out any possible illnesses like Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism before starting them on a new diet and exercise program.  Please be sure to ask your veterinarian for their recommendations on the best food for your dog or cat and also proper amounts to feed.   Inquire with them about any supplements, for example joint or heart health, they would recommend for your particular dog or cats breed.  Your pets’ food (can or bag) also has feeding recommendations printed on it, please read and follow them.

Exercising Your Pet

Adding exercise is the easy part to your pups’ healthy lifestyle.  Taking him or her for a walk to the neighborhood park and/or tossing a ball or Frisbee for them to run after are great forms of exercise.  Agility classes can be fun for you and your dog.  Remember that exercising with your pet strengthens your bond.  Let’s not forget about those pudgy cats, you can easily make kitty toys they will love to chase, such as a piece of yarn or string that you drag along the floor for them to chase or find any number of great kitty toys at the pet supply store.  Some cats love to play fetch just like dogs.  Just getting down on the ground with them and engaging them in some sort of playtime is enough.  Remember the old saying “a tired dog is a happy dog”?   That also means that tired dog will be less apt to get into trouble around the house.  His mind will be engaged in play and his pent up energy will be expended in a healthy way, not a destructive way.  If you are unable to provide your dog with a daily energetic dog walk, please contact The Pet Sitter to see what service we could provide to you.

It’s Up to You

Remember that your pets’ health depends on you.  Just like us, if you pet gets too many snacks during the day, the calories add up and the pounds are packed on.  Keep in mind the treats that you toss to your dog each day – maybe you give him a little snack when you get home from work – that little snack five days a week adds up.  If you must provide them with snacks to alleviate your guilt for being gone all day, be sure to take it into account when you are portioning out their meals.  As stated above, you can also check with your veterinarian for their recommendations.  The best treats to feed your doggie are fresh vegetables such as baby carrots; broccoli; string beans, etc.  Please check out my blog post People Food That Is Safe and Yummy For Your Pets.docx for more ideas for fresh and healthy treats.

I hope this gives you some ideas on ways to keep our favorite furry friends happy and healthy for years to come.

Happy New Year.