Just like people, fat pets are at higher risk of health problems like diabetes, bad joints and a shortened lifespan. Pets at a healthy weight enjoy their lives more, are more active and live longer.

How to Tell If Your Pet Is Overweight

Here are ways to identify and correct obesity in your dog or cat.

It’s not always easy to tell if your dog or cat is overweight, especially if he or she has a long coat. Consult your vet, if necessary to find out what your pet should weigh. In the meantime, here are some tell-tale signs.

• Look for a tucked tummy. When you view your pet from the side, does its belly tuck up into the area between his ribs and hindquarters? That’s where you want it. You don’t want it to sag below his ribcage, or even hang on a straight line with his ribcage. For furry pets, wrap a thin cloth around their torso in order to see their shape.
• Feel his ribs. Position yourself over your standing pet. Reach down and feel its ribs. You should be able to feel them easily, with only a slight layer of fat. You should be able to feel each individual rib.
• Look for a “waist.” With your pet still standing, look at him from above. You should be able to see a definite waist between his ribcage and his hindquarters.

Be alert to physical signs. Fat pets, especially dogs, might have difficulty jumping onto couches or beds. Or they may show labored breathing after climbing the stairs or walking up a hill. The very obese pet may even have trouble getting its feet.

Help Your Pet Maintain Its Ideal Weight

Again, just like people, pets need a healthy lifestyle to main their ideal weight.

• Change the way you feed him. Cut back on the number of treats you offer your pet, and/or offer smaller pieces. Better yet, treat them with small carrots or pieces of apple (No grapes, raisins or onions as they can be toxic to your pet). Monitor your pet’s weight and adjust until you reach the balance that is right for your pet. Do not free-feed (leave food out for the pet to nibble on all day). Some animals can handle free-feeding without weight problems. Most cannot.
• Gradually increase your pet’s exercise. If you are not exercising your pet, you’re not only letting him down, you are missing out on a great bonding experience. Start now. Play fetch with your dog or take him to the dog park and be sure he runs and plays with the other dogs. Most dogs won’t exercise themselves when put out in a yard alone. Taking your dog out for walks also gets in your exercise. Start slowly – regular exercise is much better than high-energy workouts once in awhile. As he becomes more fit, begin to gradually increase his exercise intensity and duration. Cats need exercise too, though they may act like they couldn’t care less. Sometimes you need to trick them into it. Laser lights and wind-up toys they can chase across the floor, and tall cat trees they can climb are all things you can try with your cat. The main thing is to get her moving. Go slowly; a cat’s interest span is shorter than a dog’s. Use your imagination and before you know it, you and your kitty will be having a great time playing together – in other words, exercising!

In answer to this question, let me tell you a story told to me by one of my clients:

“I picked up a co-worker at her home the other day and could not help but hear her dog barking frantically and I could see him running up and looking out the window, then racing back to scratch on the door.”

Having two dogs of my own, I asked her what the fuss was about. “He always acts this way when I leave. And he absolutely destroys the place by the time I get home. I’m about at my wit’s end. I hate to lock him up in the bathroom and I can’t leave him outside.”

I responded, “My dogs were having problems, too. They were so excited to see me when I got home they bounced around like they were on springs. At times, out of pure boredom, I guess, they would pull out shoes and find pieces of clothing to chew on or tear apart. By the time I got the messes cleaned up, I was in no mood to reward them with a walk, even though I knew they needed it after being cooped up all day.”

“So, what did you do?”

“I hired Grandma Dee to walk the dogs every day. She spends time playing with them and the exercise wears them out so they rest most of the day. When I get home, they’re still happy to see me, but not bouncing off the walls and no more messes. You ought to give her a call.”

Do you or someone you know experience this with your dog(s)?

Dogs who are left alone all day experience stress, separation anxiety and behavioral problems like barking and tearing up homes and furnishings.

Exercise is a great reliever of stress and boredom in dogs. And it helps them burn some of that energy they don’t know what to do with. Dog trainers say that a tired dog is a good dog.

In addition, exercise helps prevent obesity and alleviates arthritis and joint pain. Studies show that pets who exercise regularly get the same benefits we humans do, such as living longer, better- quality lives.

Wouldn’t it be great to come home to happy relaxed, well-behaved dogs without feeling guilty for not having the time or energy to walk them?

We can walk your dogs for you. The length of the walk is up to you and based on the dog’s energy level and health. Regular, weekly walks can be billed monthly (upon credit approval), periodic (whenever you need us) walks are collected each time I take them out. Call us at 858-693-4296 or email andeewr@san.rr.com.        .

Go to http://www.grandmadeespetcare.com/3.html for rates.