This post has been sponsored by Petcurean. All opinions are my own and my four-legged best friend Clem.
Happy & Healthy – that’s how I like Clem to be
We have a neighbor with a dachshund named Maxie. Maxie is a sweet thing always wagging his tail and waddling down the driveway as we come by. Yes, WADDLING. This adorable and loveable pooch’s belly almost hits the ground as he walks. His owner thinks it’s a sign of love to give in to Maxie’s cravings for constant food. She needs to know that just like with humans, being grossly overweight can shorten Maxie’s life or lead to health issues.
Did you know that 22-44% of pets weigh more than their ideal body weight?
Obesity can contribute to major health problems for your pet including diabetes in cats and decreasing the lifespan of your dog. The negative side effects of being overweight can start to appear within just a few weeks of the onset of obesity. As pet parents, it’s our job to keep our furry kids happy and healthy, especially if that means helping Fido shed a few pounds. Here are some helpful tips from Petcurean on how to manage your pet’s weight.
Clem & I monitor his weight regularly
Evaluate your pet’s current weight:
Weigh your pet at the vet’s office or with your home bathroom scale and check it against this Body Score chart to help you determine the current status of your pet’s weight.
Diet:
An important rule you should keep in mind when managing your pet’s weight is restricting treats and resisting the urge to give them table scraps. These items make it hard for you to regulate what your pet is eating. For dogs, you can feed them a weight loss recipe with reduced calories. This option allows your pup to eat the same volume of food they’re used to eating, but with less calories. Petcurean’s GO! Fit + Free makes a great diet feeding option with a protein-rich, lower carb recipe. Alternatively, you can simply cut back on the amount of food you’re currently feeding. To ensure your dog still feels full after these smaller meals, you can add canned pumpkin or green beans as a fiber-rich and healthy topper. Cats do the best on low carb canned recipes since the wet food not only promotes weight reduction, but also helps cats feel fuller. GO! Fit + Free also offers canned recipes for cats.
Physical activity:
Decreased food intake should be accompanied by increased physical activity. Track your pet’s weight through weekly weigh ins. A rapid decline in weight can be harmful to your pet. As you monitor their progress, continue to check them against the body score chart. That will tell you when your pet’s weight goals have been reached!
Managing your pet’s weight is an essential part of loving your furry friends. If you’d like help in developing a weight loss plan for your pet, I’d also be happy to coordinate an interview with Petcurean’s pet health specialist Dr. Jennifer Adolphe or Michele Dixon to speak on this health issue further.
- To learn more about pet nutrition and find out where you can buy Petcurean Pet Foods visit: Petcurean.com
- Save $5 on Petcurean. Print this COUPON
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