Maintaining a healthy weight for your pet

Helping your pet to maintain a healthy weight is not only ideal for the overall health of your animal, it will most likely help your companion to live longer as well. Your dog and cat depend on you for food, shelter, companionship and exercise.

Food and scheduled feedings

It is important to feed your dog or cat for the animal’s individual calorie requirements. The age, activity level and health of your dog or cat are all things to consider when choosing a food. The quantity of food you feed your pet is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight. Often the amount of food recommended for the weight of your pet on the back of the food bag exceeds your pet’s actual calorie requirements. Another factor that can influence the amount of food your pet actually requires is the quality of the food. A higher quality food has better quality ingredients, therefore, your pet does not need to consume as much. Check with your vet’s office for a recommendation on the quantity of food your dog should be eating.

Scheduled feeding (twice daily) and measuring your dog’s food is the best way to keep track of the quantity of food you are feeding. Many cats are fed free feed, meaning you leave food down all the time. This works for the majority of cats but if you have a kitty that doesn’t know when to quit and is overweight, you may want to consider schedule feeding.

Too many treats and table scraps can quickly contribute to excess pounds on your pet. Consider a smaller low fat treat or a vegetable such as a carrot as a treat. If you feed your pet treats regularly, take those in to consideration when you are figuring daily quantity. Choose a treat that helps promote proper weight and good health.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Incorporating your pet's exercise into your daily routine is a sure way for your pet to get some activity. Exercise is also important to the over all well-being of the pet by reducing anxiety and stress. Walking, playing fetch and swimming are some great ways your dog can get a good work out. Play dates with other dogs are also great calorie burners.

If the weather doesn’t permit some outside time, an indoor game, an obedience refresher or a play date can engage your dog in some much needed activity.

For the indoor cat, toys that can be chased, pounced on, and batted are great choices for activity. Devices with balls in them that never come out or a climbing tower can encourage your cat to play.

Whatever the age or activity level of your pet, a diet that is compatible and daily exercise will help your pet live a longer and happier life.