Has your Pet Gone Chubby?
Who doesn’t gain a little weight over the holidays? Keep in mind that your PETS are no exception! With all the extra table scraps and leftovers passed around, you can bet that your furry friend has gained a little girth to his/her waistline. And though some pets may or may not care about their reflection when they pass a mirror, controlling your pet's weight is a critical part of maintaining their health.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), it was estimated that approximately 45% of dogs and 58% of cats in the US are overweight or obese. The American Kennel Club warns that excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptible to other ailments such as diabetes and arthritis. Pets that stay at a healthy weight live longer and with less disease than overweight pets. As with any health issue for you or your pet, awareness and early detection is crucial. By recognizing if your pet has a weight problem, you could save his/her life! Ask your veterinarian to determine the best weight and diet plan for them!
It's a New Year and there's no better time than now to help your Pet Lose Weight!
Here are some tips to tell if your pet tips the scale and what to do about it:
*How do I create a healthy diet plan for my pet this year?
As with people, proper diet and exercise are essential to your pets staying healthy in 2011! Working with your vet to rule out any other medical problems is the first step. While some drugs and some disease conditions (i.e. hypothyroidism) may cause a pet to be overweight, more often obesity is caused by overfeeding and high calorie foods. Your vet should help you devise a diet for your pet with a daily calorie recommendation to safely help him/her shed those unwanted pounds over a specific monthly period. In addition to a healthy diet, an exercise plan should also be recommended for your pet to get on the right track to health and fitness.
It is imperative to stick to a weight-loss plan and for many pet owners this involves changing what, how much and how often we feed them. Though weight loss can be achieved by simply feeding less, your pet may seem unsatisfied by the amount of food they are getting. If this is the case, then a "diet" food created with less fat and calories in a larger volume may be the better choice. It is important to not allow your pet access to food all day long.
Stay on track with the diet plan your vet has made for your pet. Keep in mind that feeding your dog at different times each day can affect your dog’s digestive system and may result in digestive disorders later on in life. And if your dog has walked away from the bowl, he/she has probably had enough to eat. So take away the bowl before they go back for more just out of curiosity, habit, etc!
*What about the Treat Factor?
We love our pets and want them to be happy! That’s why we throw food and treats their way anytime they ‘ask’ for it! Though our faithful companions tend to mope around when the ‘special’ food is around, it is up to us our as their pet owners to make sure they stay healthy. If they are healthy, chances are they will also be happy!
Studies show that many overweight pets got that way from too many treats (too many vitamins also may also have a negative effect). As hard as it may be even when those puppy eyes are begging, don’t give between meal snacks. Keep treats to a minimum and go the homemade low-calorie route (even try ice cubes, fresh veggies and lean meats!). This will help you avoid the "hidden" calories in many store-bought goodies.
*Is exercise really important for my pet and if so, what type of exercise is best?
YES!! Just as with people, pets also need a daily exercise routine! Every pet will enjoy a different type of exercise. It doesn't matter if you walk briskly, run, play fetch or swim, pets (especially dogs) must get at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise every day to help facilitate weight loss. Please check with your vet to get the best exercise plan specifically for your pet!
Enter the Hills's 2011 PetFit Challenge and let's make this year a healthy one for your faithful companion!
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