Maintaining Your Pet’s Healthy Weight

Borrowed from Nutrena’s Blog

 https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/maintaining-your-pets-healthy-weight

While your dog or cat's quality and length of life depend on various factors like age, disease, and breed, one often overlooked component is weight. If your cat or dog is overweight, it could potentially raise the risk of various diseases and injuries, and overall, make it harder for your pet to live a long and healthy life. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight can be difficult, but you can start implementing some best practices with these tips. 

Check if Your Pet is Overweight 

Though some fat on your pet is normal, too much could interfere with their health. You can assess your cat or dog's weight at home by looking at the following areas: ribs, waist, and side. You should be able to feel your pet's ribs when you run your hands along their side, their waistline should have a sort of dent in it, and their stomach should slightly cave in towards the back legs. If you can't feel their ribs, see a somewhat accentuated waist, or if they have a large belly, then your pet might be overweight. 

If you have trouble gauging their weight, a trip to the vet could be helpful. Regular visits to the vet are always a best practice for weight management and overall health. 

Measure Food 

When determining how much to feed your dog or cat always start with the feeding guidelines provided on the bag of your pet’s food. These guidelines are specifically calculated to that food you’re feeding. But remember that these are guidelines to start with and your individual pet may need more or less than the recommended amount to maintain their ideal body condition and weight. 

Use a measuring cup instead of eyeballing the food to make the measurements more accurate. Even simply going over the set amount a few times a week could impact their weight. 

The Right Food 

The recipe’s nutrients matter just as much as the amount you feed your pet. No matter the weight or breed, your pet needs complete and balanced nutrition and nourishing food. You’ll need to look for a complete and balanced diet d for your pet. 

Here are some things you can look for when choosing your pet’s food:

• A protein source such as chicken, beef, lamb, or salmon should be number one ingredient.
• Avoid artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, and grains such as wheat, soy, and corn.

Nutrena’s Loyall Life recipes use the highest quality ingredients for your pet, so you can help manage their weight and ensure they are getting the nutrients they need.

Occasional Treats 

Just like you, your cat or dog also loves dessert time. Similarly, desserts, or treats, need to be kept to a minimum–and preferably given when your pet has listened or performed a trick. As a general rule-of-thumb, treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s calories for the day. To provide more benefits when feeding treats, try something that helps with their breath or treats filled with high-quality protein. 

Exercise 

Diet is only a part of maintaining your pet’s weight. By combining both diet-related tips and an exercise routine, you’ll be able to keep your pet’s weight stable while keeping their heart healthy and mind sharp. 

For your dog, it might mean getting quality time with them outside on a walk or a game of fetch. For your cat, it might mean bringing out the lasers, wands, and cat towers—whatever gets your cat moving. 

Using the tips provided, you can better maintain your pet’s weight so they can have the best quality of life. Even if your dog or cat is not overweight, you can still use these tips as a preventative measure. If you have questions, consult your veterinarian.

River & Lake Safety

Borrowed from Nutrena’s Blog

https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/river-and-lake-safety

Summer is fast approaching and, as the temperature warms, many of us will be headed out to lakes and rivers to hike or just cool off and enjoy the summer weather. This is also a chance to spend some quality time and have fun with the family dog. While this can be an enjoyable way to spend the day, there are some safety measures that should be followed.

• Go Slowly: Introduce dogs to the water slowly. Let them go in at their own pace. The old “throw them in,” method does not work and will only serve to make your dog afraid of the water. Take it slow and make the experience fun for them, no matter what. Realize that some dogs, like some people, may never enjoy the water. Short legged, dense bodied dogs, such as pugs and bulldogs, cannot swim because their bodies are not designed to.
• Life Jacket: If your dog is new to swimming, a life jacket is an excellent idea. This can provide buoyancy while your dog learns to swim well. Life jackets are also a good idea for dogs that will spend much of the day in the water. The added buoyancy will keep them from getting over tired and getting into trouble. For dogs that swim in rivers, a life jacket is a must. Dangerous or rapid currents can sweep them away unexpectedly.
• Vaccines: Make certain all your dog’s routine vaccines are current. For dogs that spend a great deal of time in the water, consider vaccinating of Leptospirosis every 6 months. Leptospirosis is a bacterial spirochete found in contaminated water that can cause severe illness and even death. The disease can be carried in the wildlife and rodent population.
• Beware of Stagnant Water: Slow flowing lake and river water, especially in late summer, can become stagnant. This may allow for the growth amoeba which, if ingested, can cause brain disease.
• Watch for Blue Green Algae: During hot weather, blooms of blue green algae can grow. Ingestion of this algae can be toxic and even fatal.
• Snakes and Leaches: Keep an eye out for water moccasins and other venomous water snakes. They can be found just about anywhere. Make certain your dog is not nosing around holes in riverbanks or lakeshores. If your dog gets bitten, seek veterinary care immediately. Leaches can be found in still water and sluggish streams. They are not a source of disease transmission. If you find a leach on your dog, look for others since leaches tend to be found in groups. To remove a leach, slide a flat object between the leach’s mouthparts, grip the middle of the body and pull. Clean the wound and treat with an antibiotic ointment like you would a scratch.
• Fresh Water: Bring fresh water from home for your dog to drink. River or lake water may contain bacteria or Giardia that can cause a gastrointestinal upset.
• First Aid Kit: You never know when an accident will happen. Always travel with a pet first aid kit.
• Dry Ears and Fur: Wet ears and skin are an invitation to irritation and infection. When your dog is done swimming for the day, dry him off well. If fresh water is available, rinse him off well before drying. Use an ear cleaner to rinse out his ears at the end of the day to help prevent ear infection.
• Brush Out: Once the hair coat is dry, brush out your pet’s hair coat well, checking for ticks, cuts, and other debris.
• Hot and Cold: Prolonged time in the sun and water can exhaust a dog to the point of heat stroke. Many dogs do not know when to stop and rest on their own. Make certain your dog takes appropriate rest breaks in the shade. In the spring and fall, the water can be cold enough for overactive dogs to become tired and hypothermic. Seek veterinary care if you see any of the following symptoms of heat stroke or exhaustion: Rapid panting, bright red tongue, red or pale gums, thick & sticky saliva, depression, weakness, dizziness, vomiting—sometimes with blood, hypothermia, weakness, shivering, muscle stiffness, shallow and/or slow breathing.

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