{"id":515,"date":"2018-12-13T06:02:20","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T06:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluffspetclinic.com\/?p=515"},"modified":"2022-05-13T20:23:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T20:23:54","slug":"the-link-between-pet-obesity-and-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluffspetclinic.com\/blog\/the-link-between-pet-obesity-and-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"The Link Between Pet Obesity and Exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"

With pet obesity numbers skyrocketing (over half of all cats and dogs!), it\u2019s critical to not only measure precise meal portions, but to keep a daily exercise routine, as well.<\/p>\n

\"AAnimals love to eat as much as we do. Some like to snack throughout the day \u2013 and relish every bite \u2013 while others enjoy scarfing down their meals in a single gulp (only to beg for more). Free-feeding doesn\u2019t always result in an overweight pet, but when pets consume more calories than they need on a daily basis, weight gain is guaranteed. With pet obesity numbers skyrocketing (over half of all cats and dogs!), it\u2019s critical to not only measure precise meal portions, but to keep a daily exercise routine, as well.<\/p>\n

Connect the Dots<\/h3>\n

Pet obesity is linked to various illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Because it decreases overall health and wellness, excessive weight affects life expectancy. The good news? It\u2019s 100% preventable!<\/p>\n

The Reality<\/h3>\n

Most pet owners caring for overweight or obese pets perceive their pets as being at a normal weight. Some pet owners may not realize what their pet\u2019s optimal weight is, but this\u00a0pet weight check guide<\/a>\u00a0provides a lot of guidance on the subject. Being able to feel the ribs, see an hourglass figure when looking down at the length of the back, and seeing an obvious tuck of the abdomen are excellent markers for ideal weight.<\/p>\n

Counting Calories<\/h3>\n

The best defense against pet obesity is a two-fold approach. It\u2019s absolutely vital to maintain\u00a0proper nutrition<\/a>\u00a0for your pet\u2019s breed, species, age, and lifestyle. Use this\u00a0Calorie Counter<\/a>\u00a0to ensure your pet\u2019s current weight is commensurate with portion size. Changing your pet\u2019s diet and caloric intake can have surprising results; we\u2019re happy to help you with this.<\/p>\n

If you offer snacks, alter your pet\u2019s meal portions. Try raw fruits and fresh veggies (but never raisins\/grapes, onions, garlic,\u00a0and more<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have Fun!<\/h3>\n

The second component has to do with daily exercise. If your usual routine borders on the mundane, take your dog to new places to get into an exciting exercise flow. Also, take them wherever you go to keep them moving throughout the day. Many places are becoming \u201cpet-friendly.\u201d Introduce them to new friends and keep them active as much as possible between meals.<\/p>\n

Cats who spend most\/all of their time indoors can benefit from a \u201ccatio\u201d or an enclosed\u00a0outdoor space<\/a>. Keep their interests in mind (jumping, chasing, climbing, scratching, etc.) when designing and constructing this enclosure to maximize activity levels.<\/p>\n

Reversing Pet Obesity<\/h3>\n

Pet obesity is preventable, but when it\u2019s recognized, diagnosed, and handled correctly, it\u2019s reversible. Make sure to keep your pet\u2019s\u00a0routine wellness exams<\/a>\u00a0every 6-12 months. If there are any changes to your pet\u2019s weight (even slight ones), we can step in right away to prevent obesity-related problems down the road.<\/p>\n

If you have any additional questions or concerns, we encourage you to\u00a0reach out to us<\/a>\u00a0at\u00a0The Bluffs Pet Clinic of Red Wing<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With pet obesity numbers skyrocketing (over half of all cats and dogs!), it\u2019s critical to not only measure precise meal portions, but to keep a daily exercise routine, as well. Animals love to eat as much as we do. Some like to snack throughout the day \u2013 and relish every bite \u2013 while others enjoy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":516,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,2,9,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-exercise-nutrition-obesity","category-pet-health-wellness","category-you-your-pet"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Link Between Pet Obesity and Exercise<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With pet obesity numbers skyrocketing (over half of all cats and dogs!), it\u2019s critical to not only measure precise meal portions, but to keep a daily exercise routine, as well.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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