Let's Get hairy

 

How Plump is Your Pet?

 

If your pet has packed on too many pounds, here’s where you can find out how you can control its weight – naturally.

The Roots of the Problem

Have you ever considered including your pets in your list of resolutions? Just like their human caregivers, dogs and cats can experience weight gain. According to the Animal Hospital of Pittsford in Rochester, New York, one in three pets are considered overweight.

 

There are reasons why you should be concerned when your dog or cat gets flabby. According to Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs & Cats, weight gain can reduce the lifespan and slow down circulation. It can also indicate a number of health issues, including metabolic and heart disorders, along with a poor diet.

 

If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, you should definitely pay your vet a visit. Depending on your best friend’s breed and size, your vet may be able to tell you its average weight and how your animal compares. For example, it’s typical for large-breed dogs to weigh over 55 pounds. Healthy cats, meanwhile, weigh approximately eight-to-10 pounds. Since everyone here at Viva is every bit as enamored with your furry pal as you are, we’ve compiled a brief but informative guide to help keep your dog and cat’s weight under control.

 

Punch Pounds Away
Fortunately, dogs and cats can lose weight the natural way. Enhance your animal’s activity levels, which can elevate metabolic rates and burn calories. Allowing your dog to run around the backyard isn’t enough; if you’ve got a puppy, try walking it for a minimum of 30 minutes everyday. Walks can be faster and longer as the puppy grows older. Through a workout routine with your pooch, you’ll also be able to fit in a refreshing daily workout for yourself. If your time is in short supply, or the weather doesn’t permit, arrange for more than one short walk a day; all totaled, they should add up to the time you spend walking on a regular daily basis.

 

We know this method won’t always work for cats, though. Keep your cat fit through play, play, and more play! This will also enhance predatory skills of stalking, pouncing, and ambushing. Attaching toys to the end of a wand or pole and moving them in different patterns encourages a pudgy cat to move and stay entertained. Just like cats, dogs can stay fit through playful activities, including fetch or hide and seek.

 

If you’re feeding your dog or cat treats, cut down on food portions at mealtimes. Eating snacks on top of the usual amount of food in meals increases the calorie intake. Unfortunately, many dogs and cats are given table-scrap treats high in fat, like potato chips, which lead to obesity (and diarrhea and vomiting!). If you’re going to give your pet a treat, consider natural food low in calories, like unsalted popcorn or small pieces of apple.

 

Pets also have to make use of portion control. Some dogs eat more than they should since feeding charts on some commercial dog food packages tend to overestimate the amount that should be fed per meal. A healthy measurement depends on many factors, including age, metabolism, environment, breed, and activity level. See your vet to determine how many tablespoons or cups of food your dog requires.

 

According to Melinda Merck, DVM, in Roswell, Georgia, cats naturally consume eight to 10 small meals a day; however, some pet cats don’t know when enough is enough, which can be a problem when bowls of food are available all day and night. Consider feeding your feline regular meals instead. This method is also great for homes that need to control the diets of multiple pets. But, if you use canned food, keep in mind that it can spoil if left out too long.

 

For any type of weight-reducing meal plan, make sure your dog or cat continues to eat a nutritious diet. Dog and cat food should be low in fat, but high in protein, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It’s also recommended that dog and cat food has fibre, which leads to a “full” feeling and puts a stop to overeating.

 

What If My Pet Is NOT Overweight?

If being overweight isn’t a problem for your pet, it shouldn’t be underweight either. In the feline world, some pet cats refuse to eat because they’re finicky. In this case, try heating up food; this will attract cats to the smell. Like weight gain, being underweight can indicate problems in your pet’s body. If you notice sudden weight loss, inform your vet so that he or she can check your pet for any infections.

 

There is a way, though, to naturally boost healthy pounds in both dogs and cats. You might consider a homeopathic treatment of calcium phosphate once a day for about a week to 10 days. Herbal enthusiasts can try using alfalfa once a day until there is weight gain or for a maximum of a week. If you find that these methods still haven’t increased weight in your dogs and cats, consider visiting a holistic vet for some sound words of advice.