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Up to 59% of domestic cats and dogs are overweight, making obesity the most common nutritional disorder seen in veterinary practice. Excess weight can cause animals the same problems as humans: respiratory problems, diabetes, arthritis, etc. In short, obesity can lead to a shorter life with many problems for your pet.
Animals generally weight much less than humans - which is why even one or two kilos make a big difference. To keep your pet healthy, it is important to monitor its diet, daily exercise, and weight. The ideal weight for most cats is 3 to 4.5 kg, but the ideal state of health cannot be estimated by the weight factor alone. The ideal weight of a dog varies from breed to breed. Ask your veterinarian how much your pet should weight and what you can do to help your pet reach and maintain weight.
How to tell if your pet is overweight
You can monitor the weight of your pet at home by palpating its sides. Place your finger on its sides and press or rub gently. If you can feel the ribs relatively easily, your pet is probably not overweight. As you observe the ribs, look down on the "waist" of your animal. If his weight is normal, his body should become thinner behind the ribs.
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Your veterinarian will check the weight of your pet during a check-up, as well as its body mass index and muscle mass index. If your pet is overweight, your veterinarian may perform special tests to determine if there is a pathological cause.
If the pathological cause is ruled out, there are other reasons why your pet is overweight. An older animal may gain weight as its mobility and metabolism decrease. Maybe you give your pet too much food or it doesn’t get much exercise. Whatever the cause, your veterinarian may suggest a diet and exercise plan to help your pet gain a healthy weight.
The Right Diet for Your Pet
As with humans, the best way to control your pet's weight is to control the calories it eats during the day and make sure it gets enough exercise. Your veterinarian will suggest the right food and exercise for your pet depending on the breed and age. If it needs to lose weight, a gradual reduction would be desirable.
There are many ways to control your pet's calorie intake. Reducing the amount of food always works - but it should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian so that the necessary nutrients are not omitted. Your veterinarian can give you a diet designed specifically for weight loss, followed by a maintenance diet as soon as the animal reaches the desired weight.
Treats and Pets
If you cannot resist the "puppy eyes”, try to feed your dog low-calorie snacks. In fact, many dogs love fruits and raw vegetables such as apples, oranges, carrots, and green beans. Delicacies for dogs and cats are available in veterinary clinics and pet shops. Whatever you choose for your pet, it is important to calculate the total calories it takes in daily. Delicacies should not be added to the animal's total meals, but should replace some of the quantities of meals. An easy way to give your pet treats is to take some food out of the bowl before the meal and save it for later in the day.
Do not get in the habit of feeding your pet leftovers. Most human foods contain fats, salt, and other ingredients that your pet doesn’t need and can cause problems: from simple indigestion to vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Keep leftovers out of the reach of your pet, such as the refrigerator or a covered trash can.
Most animals get the right amount of fat, protein, and nutrients from their staple food, so treats should be just treats! You should only occasionally change your pet's daily diet. Consult your veterinarian for the unique needs of your pet.
Finding a good exercise routine for your pet
Different animals need different amounts of exercise, so it is important to consult your veterinarian before starting your pet exercise program. For example, a young Labrador usually needs much more exercise than an eight-year-old Dachshund with heart disease. With your veterinarian's consent, you can implement an exercise program that will not look like chores, but like a game.
Exercising Your Dog
The key to exercising your dog is to start slowly and then steadily increase the duration and intensity of the exercise. Like humans, strenuous dogs who exercise vigorously will show pulls and may damage weak tendons. If your dog is stiff or slow to get up the next day, you need to slow down.
Hiking, running, and walking are excellent ways to exercise your dog, who will be happy to participate. If your dog is reluctant or unable to walk due to grip or injury, and is comfortable with water, swimming can be a good alternative.
If you want to try something different, hide and seek with a toy and two or more people is another great way to exercise. Pulling a toy out of its mouth is not a good idea, as it can injure your dog's teeth and encourage aggressive behavior.
More and more people are looking for new ways to interact with their dogs. Activities such as obedience classes, agility competitions and flyball are great ways to enjoy the company of your dog and socialize with other people and pets.
Exercising Your Cat
Although your cat may not want to accompany you to your morning jogging, it may want to play with you games, such as chasing an object attached on the edge of a string or stick. Many cats enjoy chasing the light from a laser pointer (be careful not to aim it at your cat's eyes, as it may harm them). You can buy them toys that mimic small prey, such as toy mice or small balls. When many cats live in a house, they can play with each other as an exercise.
No matter what game you play with your cat, do not use your fingers or hand as bait. Such games teach your cat that it does not matter if it bites or scratches you — something you do not want it to learn. Also, do not allow your cat to play with skeins of wool, as it may become entangled in it, swallow it and choke, or get stuck in its throat or gastrointestinal tract.