We know that everyone is struggling with those New Year'™s resolutions to lose the weight that we've put on over the past year (especially from those holiday treats!).  You are not alone!  While making your personal resolutions, what about your pets?

The number of overweight pets has risen dramatically and has almost become the norm! Let'™s recognize this and help our pets be as healthy as we strive to be this New Year.

Is your pet overweight?
Every visit to Shaver Road Animal Hospital your pet will be weighed. This is a great first step to see where they fall and how they are trending.  Did they gain since last visit and if so, how much? Next, your veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam including a Body Condition Score (BCS).
There is a great chart from Purina that shows the BCS 1-9 for dogs. Ideal BCS is 5/9.  Where does your pet fit in?

DOGS: http://research.unc.edu/files/2012/11/CCM3_032387.pdf
CATS: http://research.unc.edu/files/2012/11/CCM3_032386.pdf 

Fat pets are just so cute!             
While it's hard to argue that chunky pets aren't super cute, it's just not very healthy. As pet owners, it is our responsibility to care for animals allowing them to live a long and happy life.  Overweight animals are predisposed to health problems such as joint disease/arthritis, diabetes, breathing difficulties, and skin infections, just to name a few. These conditions decrease their quality of life and can be expensive to manage.

If you are suspicious that your pet is overweight, the next step is to figure out how to get back on track using diet and exercise.

The food adds up:
Just because your pet may be overweight doesn'™t automatically mean you need to switch to a different brand of food. Sometimes small decreases in the amount given and more frequent meals can make a big difference in weight loss. The amount of treats and people food given throughout the day can really add up too! It could be as easy as not sharing people food---despite those sad staring eyes!

A nice trick to try for pets that love treats is to put some of their kibble in the treat bag to use as their reward throughout the day instead of giving them additional treats. The bag usually fools them so they don'™t realize the difference. Just be sure to deduct that amount from their meal later on.
Occasionally, a diet change may be in order and we can help you decide when that is best too.

Some other healthy alternatives to store bought pet treats are vegetables and fruit. Celery, tomato slices, and thinly sliced (lengthwise) carrots are all good choices. An occasional piece of apple or pear is okay too. Try to avoid too much fruit because the natural sugars are a source of extra calories. We want to always avoid foods that are toxic to our pets like grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic.

Is your pet a couch potato?
Daily exercise is as important for our pets as it is for us! Depending on the activity, sometimes we benefit when our pets are exercising too!

Bond with your canine buddy! Bundle up and go for a walk on a safe road free of ice, go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or just play fetch in the backyard!

Play with your feline friend! Laser pointers can help burn some calories or you can toss around balls or catnip mice for your cat to fetch. Most cats like homemade toys the best (and this is great for your budget too)! Cut paw-size holes in the top of an old shoebox and fill it will cat toys and paper balls. If you have an old shoelace or hoodie string, tie a small index card in a bow-shape on the end and drag around for a game of chase. Always be safe with toys - never leave string out unattended or use small toys that can be eaten (like some milk cap rings).

Another great invention is the food ball! They make these for dogs and cats. Use a portion of the kibble you would normally feed in your pet's bowl and fill the food ball. Every few swats around, the ball spits out a kibble. This rewards pets as they exercise around your house. It also keeps them busy while you are away from home.

At Shaver Road Animal Hospital we are dedicated to helping improve the life of your pet. Let us know if you have any other questions about how we can get your pet back in shape!