Its a new year, and many people have made resolutions to improve their health and happiness in 2015. With so many humans making it a goal to lose weight and be healthier, its a great time to think about their pets healthy and weight as well. After all, over 50% of pets in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese, and excess weight in pets can lead to health issues- including joint pain, back injury, and even diabetes. Need help getting started? Here are two tips that are a great and simple place to begin your pets journey to better health! 1) Measure your pets meals Many pet owners either free feed their pets (leaving food out all the time), or simply guess how much to feed at meal time and pour it into a bowl. This can lead to overfeeding and weight gain. It’s important to use an accurate measuring cup (ex: the kind you use for cooking) to ensure your pet isn’t eating more calories than they need, and feed pets separately to be sure they are only getting their measured amount. The feeding guidelines on the pets food bag are good place to start- but remember to feed for your pets ideal (goal) weight! Not sure how much weight your pet needs to lose? Call our office to set up an appointment and discuss your pets overall health, weight, diet, and a plan to shed those pounds. You can even drop by our hospital for a free pet food measuring cup! 2) Get your pet moving! Taking a walk around the neighborhood is one simple way to add exercise to your dogs routine, and it will get you up and moving too! But dont forget that hikes at the dog park, or a good long game of fetch can get you both working out too. Cats may not be interested in leaving the house, but setting aside a few minutes to play with fishing lure-type cat toys, splitting meals into several bowls around the house (so your cat must hunt down the portions of each meal), and using puzzle-like feeders (like the Slim Cat) can increase your cats activity level.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:21:41 +0000
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