It’s not just us getting bigger, it’s our pets too. It’s likely that your veterinarian has brought up the subject of animal obesity at some point during regular check-ups, and there are steps you can take to get them back on the right track:
- Limit treats – our love for our pets can sometimes spill over into too many chocolate drops, or even morsels from our own plates. The odd treat is good for a pet, particularly when they’re new to your home, and you’re trust-training. However too many calories will have the same effect on your pet as they will on you, so make sure that treats are a once a day, or even every other day treat, and not a major part of your pet’s diet.
- The right weight range – a veterinarian will always weigh an animal before giving them medication to make sure that dosages are correct, so you will be able to keep a close eye on any gains and losses. Ask your vet whether your pet is a healthy weight, and what you can do to help them lose weight safely if they aren’t.
- The right diet – even commercial pet mixes that are supposedly nutritionally-balanced may be too fattening or salty for your pet, and can result in animal obesity, or other health problems. The internet can be a useful source of information to get the balance right. and even supplement mixes yourself with tasty, filling, nutritious extras that will help your pet stay healthy.
- Tag your pet’s collar – this is one for cats, really, but we’ve all come across felines that will happily eat at home, and then go and eat extra dinners elsewhere. A quick plea not to feed your pet will help your cat eat a normal amount.
- Exercise – dogs need walking, but caged animals also need regular free-range time. If your pet rat looks more like a small melon than a rodent, it’s time to use its natural curiosity to build ramps and mazes to encourage activity.
With animals becoming like family members for so many of us, it’s very important to take their health – and their weight – as seriously as we do our own.