Pawsome pets: Keep obesity at bay in pets with right food, exercise

While our love forfurry four-legged beings makes us want to reward them with more treats each time they make ushappy, we might actually be harming them. Due to insufficient activity, nearly half of the world’s dogs and cats are battling obesity, accordingto studies. So, we bring you some much-needed expert tips to help maintain a healthy routine foryour pets, so as to keep obesityat bay.

During your regular veterinary appointments, make sure you check your dog or cat’s weight and maintain a register of it. If you find any drastic changes in the weight overtime, then you know that your pet isn’t receiving enough physical activity that he or she requires. How can you tell if your pet needs to lose a few kilos? If you notice your dog or cat from above, you should see a distinct tuck at the waistline and should be able to feel, and not see, the ribs. If this is not the case, walking your dog for a little longer and keeping a limit on the number of treats given out each day to your dog or cat can be helpful. You may also notice that if your pet is receiving too much to eat in a day, he or she may show signs of lethargy, excessive tiredness and disinterest in their regular playtime or going out for walks. Studies found that being overweight can shorten a dog’slifespan by up to 2.5 years.

Pets need a daily exercise routine so as to stay healthy. Depending upon their age, pets could require at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of physical activity each day — be it walking, running or playing fetch. Some of the athletic breeds like German shepherds, Golden Retrievers or native breeds like Chippiparai will require more exercise, while smaller dogs like Pomeranians can benefit from short walks. Get your cat more active by playing with a laser pointer to get him or her moving.

The best way you can show your pets love is by giving them the right kind of nutrition. There’s nothing like home-cooked meals to care foryour dog or cat’s health, considering how the dry food available in the market doesn’t meet the daily requirements of your pet. Check with a vet if you are meeting the daily calorie and nutrient necessities of your pet or if you’re exceeding it. If your pet begs for way too many treats in a day, cut down the size of the meal and divide a portion of it into small treats that you can give them at regular intervals. Cats, in particular, like to eat at night, so schedule you r feedings before bedtime, or provide hidden toys or treats that your pet can look for throughout the night.