Weight Management And Your Pets Health

With November settling in, you’re likely to experience a drop in temperature but don’t let that limit your activity with your pets! Gaining a couple of pounds as a human might not be a big deal, but on a 15-pound furry friend, two pounds is a 13% weight increase. At 15% above ideal weight, your pet will be considered obese.

November can be an especially challenging time in terms of weight health because of Thanksgiving feasts and celebrations of winter holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more. While you’re enjoying the holidays it’s fine to give a couple of extra treats to your pets, but don’t stuff them like T-Day turkeys! In the paragraphs below we’ll cover some tips for keeping your pets in a healthy weight range, especially in the Autumn and Winter, despite the cold, holiday indulgences and other challenges.

Before discussing any special preparations or precautions for upcoming holidays, ask yourself what you’re already feeding your pet and whether or not they’re getting adequate exercise. Here are some questions to guide you:

  1. What quantity of food does your pet eat each day?
  2. Does the dog or cat food you purchase contain fillers like corn or soy?
  3. What are the first ingredients in your pets’ treats?
  4. How many treats do you feed your pets at a time?
  5. How long are your walks or play sessions with your pets?

Despite the cold and seasonal festivities, remember to make time for exercise and play with your pets before everyone passes out after that amazing dinner or gets caught up in post-present chaos. We’re all thankful for our pets, so why not show it with an extra walk, new toy, and some time together? If you’re struggling to get outdoors enough with a canine companion, consider NOVA Pets’ Doggie Day Camp to meet your pup’s socialization and fitness needs! There are numerous benefits for dogs who get to attend; click here to learn more about them.

Make sure your daily routine is conducive to your pets’ health and wellbeing in the long term, both in terms of exercise and diet! One of the most important tips we can give you is: do not give your pets table scraps! Some people are tempted to give less desirable items on their plates to pets, but consider these reasons not to throw your dog (or cat) a bone:

  1. Table scraps throw off your calculations of the amount of food your pet is eating,
  2. Fatty foods and gristle could lead to acute pancreatitis in your pet,
  3. Feeding from the table can encourage begging behavior,
  4. Finally, feeding from the table can be dangerous!

About that last point—even seemingly innocuous ingredients and spices (think onion and onion powder, garlic and garlic powder) can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or worse. Click here for a list created by the ASPCA detailing foods that are toxic to your pets!

Even if the advice above is sound, you might think it’s a bit dramatic, but it’s not. It’s currently estimated that over half of all pet dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese. By and large this is a preventable issue and one we must address given the countless issues obesity can cause our pets, from joint damage to respiratory problems.

If you’re unsure about what weight your pet would be the healthiest at or how to get them to that weight, schedule a visit with us by calling (703) 577-2141