National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is on October 14th, but we need to be aware of pet obesity every day. Pet obesity is on an incline in our country, and we must make sure our pets stay healthy. Obesity comes with many adverse health effects that can ultimately decrease your pet’s life span. We’ve come up with four ways to prevent your pet from becoming overweight.
Regular Exercise
Exercise is perhaps the most obvious way to keep your pet’s weight under control. Regular exercise cannot only prevent your pet from becoming obese, but it can also bring many other health benefits. Finding the time to exercise can be tricky with a busy schedule, so be sure to create a routine that works for you to keep your pet fit and healthy. Regular exercise will be beneficial to your health as well. The amount of daily exercise should be dependent on your dog’s age and overall health. You do not want to over-exert your pet as that is also not good for their health. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian if you are unsure about the right amount of exercise your pet needs.
The Right Pet Food
The right pet food can help control your dog’s weight and can have an effect on their overall mood and well-being. Some pet foods have no nutritional benefits and are just empty calories. Be sure to read nutrition labels when buying your pet’s food. Please do your research to find the best diet for your pet, whether it’s dry food, wet food, raw food, or a mix of foods. Please consult with your veterinarian to determine the best food for your pet. The right type of food and the right brand can increase your pet’s performance, improve their energy levels, and positively reflect their overall health.
No Table Scraps
Perhaps, the biggest culprit of our pet’s weight gain is human food. A lot of us are guilty of giving our pets table scraps and sharing our food. While sometimes, you can’t say no to their cute little faces, it’s best to limit the human food we give our pets. Human food usually is fatty and unhealthy; it can cause digestive issues in our pets who are not used to eating our food. By feeding our pets human food, we also risk potentially feeding them substances that can be lethal. Substances such as xylitol can be deadly if consumed in large amounts by our pets. Please be careful what you feed your pet and do your best to reduce the number of table scraps you give them.
Limit Treats
Just like humans limiting desserts and sweets to maintain a healthy weight, pets must also limit treats. It’s hard to resist giving our pets treats and seeing the joy on their face, but replacing treats with cuddles and attention will be better for them in the long run. Make treats a part of your routine. After an activity or during the daytime when your pet gets a chance to burn it off. If you are training and your dog is food motivated, opt-in for calorie-wise treats. Some training treats are small and only contain a small number of calories that get the praise across to your dog. This way, your training sessions can be healthy and successful.
National Pet Obesity Awareness Day comes once a year, but our awareness should be every day. Maintaining a healthy weight and living a healthy lifestyle will ensure your pet is living their best life to their fullest. Not only will your pet be in great spirits, but they will also be simultaneously increasing their lifespan with good health. If you need help keeping up with your dog’s exercise routine, be sure to check out our dog walking services. We’ll help your dog stay on track with their daily walking routine!
