Lauren Robertson
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and welcome to my first official blog post!
In honor of today’s holiday, I would like to dive right in with a talk covering both a proper pet diet and dangers for your pet around the holiday season.
Quick stats to make you think a little differently about sneaking your dog or cat some turkey under the table:
According to a study done by the International Journal of Applied Veterinary Medicine, nearly 35% of dogs are considered overweight or obese (and cats also hover around 35%). A lot of this can be attributed to their diet, because remember, dog food companies want to sell their product, not necessarily tell you what is best for your pet, or even the correct amount to be feeding them. More on that later… Some of this is due to exercise habits, but some is also due to treats, especially that addictive substance, “people food”!
For instance, for your dog, a one-ounce block of cheddar cheese is equal to 2.5 hamburgers, and one hot dog is almost 4!
Cats get an even worse deal, with a single potato chip equalling 0.5 hamburgers, and that same block of cheese is 3.5 hamburgers!
Scary, right? Imagine a spoonful of grandma’s mashed potatoes and gravy, or the turkey slathered in butter and spices!
Now, the next question would be, why worry? Obesity in your cat or dog can contribute to issues regarding diabetes, arthritis or joint problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, or even serious skin conditions!
Now, I know this sounds like no fun for your pooch, but there are “people food” treats you can share, like 1/4 cup of RAW carrots or green beans, or a quarter of a medium-sized apple (cats can have this too). Or, you can take a small portion of their daily dog food amount and place it in a small container on the counter. Making a fuss over this like you would a cookie or treat can have the same effect, without packing on the pounds!
Other things you can do instead of treats are verbal or physical praise, like petting, hugging and massage, or rewarding them with a favorite toy when they have done things correctly.
So, how do we know our pet is the correct weight?
The first thing I will always tell you is to consult your veterinarian. Breed standards do not take into account actual body type or musculature, and a proper physical exam will help to determine what is healthier for Fido. For a quick spot-check at home, here is what you can look for for clues:
In cats, you can easily FEEL, but not SEE the ribs under a slim layer of fat, the tail base should have some contouring and a slight fat cover as well, but again, you shouldn’t be able to see bones, and there shouldn’t be a “bulb” of fat there either. Looking from the side, you should be able to see a slight tummy tuck or waistline, but not too pronounced, and from the top, a well-proportioned waist, not a “hippy'” figure, or an “hourglass” shape.
Dogs will have the same markers, except from the top view. There, we are looking for a back that isn’t broadened or bony, just a happy medium… NO BARREL SHAPE!
Lastly, To protect your pet from hazards, watch them around these items:
Oven cleaner, tobacco products, pot-pourri, medications, batteries, twist ties, buttons, coins, hair pins, jewelry, nylons, plastic wrap, string/yarn, electrical cords, de-icers, decorations/ ornaments and other small, swallow-able objects.
Foods: Avocado, chocolate, coffee, onions or onion powder, garlic, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, alcohol, spoiled/moldy food, salt, fatty foods, gum/candy or anything sweetened with xylotol, tea leaves or raw yeast dough.
So, stay safe and have a great Turkey Day!
