Pet Obesity Awareness Day

October 9th is Pet Obesity Awareness Day! Of course, the key of this particular pet holiday isn’t to make pets aware of their own obesity. It’s to inform their humans about the dangers of obesity, and offer tips on preventing it. An vet Anderson, IN discusses–you guessed it–chubby pets in this article. 

 

Dangers 

It’s not hard to understand why there are so many chubby pets out there. People love their animal companions, and enjoy pampering them. However, if your furry buddy is, well, pudgy, you may need to make some changes. Those extra pounds can cause or contribute to a whole plethora of serious health issues, such as heart disease, liver trouble, bone/joint problems, and skin issues, to name just a few. Your beloved pet will be much healthier at or near their ideal weight!

 

Food  
Diet is of course a huge factor in your pet’s weight. Quality and quantity are both important here. Feed your four-legged buddy a high-quality, nourishing food. It’s also important to pay attention to serving sizes. Even overfeeding your pet by a tiny amount each day can cause them to gain weight! Ask your vet for specific recommendations. 

 

Treats  

We can’t really talk about pets’ diets without at least touching on the topic of treats. Dogs, as you may have noticed, are very good at getting us to share things like bacon, sausages, cheese, and burgers. Cats tend to be a bit pickier, but they also tend to get very interested when they smell something they like. Stick to healthy options, like plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken. We also recommend keeping treats to about 5 percent of your furry friend’s daily intake.

 

Exercise  

Pets need activity to stay healthy, just like people do. Dogs’ exercise needs vary wildly, and should be tailored to each pup’s breed, age, size, and health. That said, most of our canine companions need a daily walk, at the very least. As for Fluffy, well, a few minutes of chasing that little red dot or pouncing on a wand toy will serve as a good kitty workout. You can also keep your furry pal active by setting out toys and furniture that encourage her to jump and climb. Cat towers are great for this! 

 

Please contact us, your  veterinarian Anderson, IN, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!