Diet and exercise is the key to having a healthy pet

Diet and exercise is the key to having a healthy pet

 PET BULLETIN

‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society

    We all fight the battle of the bulge from time to time, but do you know how to evaluate your cat’s figure? “Cat, Your Friend for Life” magazine provides the following information. The description of the correct weight is that your cat’s ribs can be felt but not seen, shoulder blades are more protected, some tummy fat is evident and there is a slight indentation behind ribs when viewed from above. Underweight description: ribs are prominent to the touch and visible in shorthaired cats, shoulder blades feel sharp, there is little or no abdominal fat and when viewed from above, there is a marked indentation behind the ribs. Signs that your kitty needs to go on a diet are: ribs cannot be felt at all, prominent tummy fat, no indentation behind ribs, the body flares out between the shoulders and hindquarters. 

    Overweight cats can be prone to grooming difficulties, diabetes, arthritis and an increased risk of surgical/anesthetic complications. What can you do? Well, for starters, schedule an exam with your veterinarian. The next step is to get your cat moving! Play with a stick toy with a feather, encourage him to chase and run and jump. Then, choose the best diet; his nutritional needs depend on his age, activity level and health. Measure his food and be consistent with his feeding schedule and amounts. You may have to endure some pitiful meows, but you are helping get your cat fit and possibly prolong his life. 
    Our pets depend on us to keep them safe and healthy, overfeeding is what I call “loving them to death.” Their little hearts cannot take the pressure of being overweight and we do them no favors by overfeeding them. If they don’t eat, don’t worry; they will when they are hungry. Of course, prolonged periods of not eating should cause concern and a trip to your veterinarian.
    It is the same with people; we need to burn more calories than we consume. The weather is getting nice and it is time to get off the couch and get out there walking with your dog. If you can’t exercise your pet or do not have time, hire someone, look for doggy daycare; there are ways, but you have to be proactive and consider the health of your pet. 
    Body scoring a dog is similar to scoring a cat. If you have concerns about your dog’s weight, discuss it with your vet. Do not start an intensive exercise program with an unfit animal, you may do more damage than good. Start out slowly and work your way up.
    My dog Rusty and I have started walking; he has thyroid issues and tends to gain weight very easily and quickly. For the last two mornings we have gone for a 1 mile walk, I do notice on the way home he is pretty pooped. We take it easy on the way back up our big hill; if we need to stop and rest, we stop and rest. Exercising with your pet should be fun, something you both enjoy. Dogs do not get fat and lazy because they are spayed or neutered, they get fat and lazy because we do not take them out and exercise them. It is all part of being a responsible pet owner. 
    It is not a virus or disease, but it is responsible for the deaths of millions of animals annually. It does not discriminate. It strikes dogs and cats, kittens and puppies, purebreds and mixed breeds. It is overpopulation and it is the leading killer of animals. The only way to fight overpopulation is through responsible pet ownership and spaying and neutering. Unfortunately there are many more animals than there are homes. 
    An intact female cat can go into heat repeatedly four to five days every three weeks. Female dogs go into heat two times a year for approximately three weeks. Spaying prevents this. 
    Un-neutered male cats that live outside will spray strong-smelling urine, roam and fight with other males. Un-neutered dogs will also urinate on things and mark their territory. ASPCA experts believe that neutering a male dog by the age of 6 months can solve many aggression problems. This surgery also helps to prevent testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. 
    Many people believe that their pet will get fat and lazy after neutering, but lack of exercise and over feeding are what cause animals to get fat and lazy. A cat or dog that has babies and whose babies have babies can be responsible for as many as 50 puppies and 200 kittens in just one year. We just cannot possibly find homes for all of them.
    If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society or give us a call at 764-3441.
    Please be part of the solution and have your pets spayed or neutered.