Readers
It’s never too late to start your New Year’s aspirations. I think exercising and dieting for overweight pets is a good choice. I was talking to my pet owner this week, and she said I should do a column about weight loss. Would you like to start the new year now?
It is our responsibility to ensure that pets can eat and exercise properly. I’ve heard veterinarians say, “Dog can’t open the fridge.” That’s true. We feed our pets. If we think that extra food or treats are a sign of love, we are wrong. We can really kindly kill pets.
Overweight dogs have more arthritis as they get older. Overweight dogs are prone to knee injuries. They are susceptible to pancreatitis and diabetes. So many reasons to keep our pets in shape.
Previous column:Pet’s heart murmur? I know the signs. | Pet Peaves
more:Know the signs of kidney failure in your cat. Treatment is possible. | Pet Peaves
Weight loss is a combination of exercise and diet. Exercise increases your metabolism and helps you burn calories. It also distracts pets from eating as their only form of activity. Control calorie intake by monitoring your diet. Limiting the extras and choosing to be more aware of what we are giving our pets is the key to dietary management.
The best exercise for pets is walking. Taking a walk with your pet strengthens the leg and back muscles that support your joints. Taking a walk also strengthens our relationship with our pets. We can experience the outside together.
Do not use retractable straps when walking. Your dog can get caught up in real problems if you are 15 feet away from you. While eating rancid food by the side of the road, or being attacked by a big dog on another retractable leash, all you can do is keep an eye on it. Use a standard chain to bring him closer.
Walking is also great for mental health. This also applies to both pets and their owners. For our dogs, walking makes it possible to consume energy that can be destructively used to chew or dig holes. It also helps reduce self-destructive boring behaviors such as licking pain.
If you haven’t walked your pet before, start with a short walk. Let him set the pace. Work gradually over long distances. It gets warmer in spring, especially in summer, so walk early in the morning or in the evening.
When assessing your pet’s diet, first determine your pet’s “target weight.” What did he weigh when he was 2 years old? This is a good goal weight. If you’re not sure, ask your veterinarian to determine the proper weight for your pet. It’s tricky. Not all pets have a standard weight. It is the structure of the bone and the function of the variety.
Look at the food bag chart to determine the recommended target weight for your dog. Feed this amount daily using a measuring cup. Limit treats. Table hoods and minimal treats can help you start losing weight.
Stay on it. It doesn’t happen overnight, but over time you will have happy and healthy pets that are more energetic and engaged.
