A New Year's Resolution for Your Pets

Many of us make New Year Resolutions for staying or getting in fit, but what about our four-legged friends? If you are a concerned parent of a chubby cat or dog, just a few simple steps will help your pet shed those extra pounds that can help prevent health issues that can result when they are over weight. 

If your furry friend is looking not as lean as he/she should, there may be several reasons why. Maybe you spoiled him/her over the holidays with a nibble here and there. If it's cold where you are, he/she may not be getting out to play and run as much and spending more time sleeping. 

Extra weight can result in serious risks like heart and respiratory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.  

Here's some key ways to keep their weight at a healthy level:

Check their Girth:
It is often challenging to tell if your cat or dog is at their ideal weight since different breeds will vary and ones with lots of fur can conceal fat.  So here are a few tips:
While your cat or dog is standing, look at them from above and from the side. You should see a slight tuck at their waistline and a nip in the belly. A straight or bulging waist and a sagging tummy are signs they are over weight.

You should be able to feel their ribs when rubbing their chest area. If you are unsure whether your pet is overweight, check with your vet. Your vet can tell you if your dog or cat is overweight. 

Count Calories:
If you need to put your dog or cat on a diet, remember that each animal has different nutritional needs at various stages of life. Talk to your vet about how many calories to feed your pet and stick to it. 

I have 3 Dachshunds and they all eat about the same although the smaller one, pictured above is the tiniest. His metabolism is so much greater than the other two. 

Also, keep an eye on in-between snacks. It is great to reward your pets or show affection with a treat, but be careful. As with humans, those treats can add up. Just as we read labels, check the labels on dog treats - not all are created equal. 

There are many foods that you can give your pets like carrots, apples and celery (Is said to make their breath smell nice). However, do not give your pets grapes or chocolate. For a complete this of what your dog can and can't eat check out the American Kennel Club.


Keep Them Moving:
Dogs need to walk. So even if it is cold, take them on a walk (it will probably be good for you too). If you have a yard, play fetch with them.  Mine are out most of the day running around and barking at the other dogs. 

For cats, remote control toys, feather dancers or cat nip can keep them moving for a period of time. 

We love our pets, so keep them healthy and you will have them for a long time. 

The post A new Year's Resolution for Your Pets first appeared on Eclectic Red Barn

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