Your Pet’s New Year’s Resolution!

It's the time of year to write our New Year's resolutions. This year lets get our pets in on the act!

How COVID-19 is impacting pet health
Pet obesity was already on the rise before the pandemic, with over half of all cats and dogs in the U.S. overweight or obese. This problem has intensified along with the pandemic according to a survey from Hill's Pet Nutrition, conducted in partnership with Kelton Global. One third of pet parents with an overweight pet say their pet became overweight since the start of the pandemic. Many of us are home all day, continually giving pets treats and exercising less. All of this comfort and indulgence can put your pet at risk for serious health issues.  According to CBS News, common obesity-related conditions for dogs and cats include arthritis, bladder and urinary tract disease, diabetes, as well as excess stress on the heart and joints.

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​How can you tell if your pet is overweight?
As Dr. Wilson, a veterinarian at Concord Animal Hospital (CAH), explains, a good indicator of whether your pet might be packing some extra pounds is to take a close look at your cat or dog. “If you see their ribs, they are too skinny.  If you can’t see their ribs and you can’t feel them with your hands when you rub the side of their chest, your pet may be overweight.”

How can help your pet maintain a healthy weight?
​You can dramatically improve your pet’s quality of life and life expectancy—not to mention, avoid additional veterinary bills—when you help your cat or dog maintain a healthy weight.
​We can help you do this in 2021! Dr. Wilson has five tips for pet owners:

Concord Animal Hospital’s 5 New Year's resolutions to keep your pet’s weight in check:

• Get to your vet! Before changing your pet’s diet or nutrition, Dr. Wilon suggests first talking with your vet to make sure the extra pounds aren’t due to an underlying health problem. During your visit Dr. Wilson says “you can also ask about food choices, such as when it’s time to switch from calorie-rich puppy or kitten foods to adult options and the number of calories your pet needs based on their age, breed, health and activity level.”
• Put a limit on meal size and time. Once your pet has had a checkup, start measuring your pet’s food to keep track of and limit what he or she consumes each day. If you leave food out for your pet all day for an overweight pet, the American Kennel Club advises moving to a set feeding schedule: put the food down for a set period, perhaps 15 minutes, and remove the food that your dog or cat doesn’t eat.

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• Ease up on the treats. Keeping an eye on snacking is just as important for pets!  As with humans, too many treats can be the downfall for a pet’s healthy diet. Track your pet’s between-meal treats for a day, including training treats and treats from neighbors and friends.  If your pet is gobbling up more than a few snacks during the day, work to manage snacking. Store-bought treats like biscuits, chews and bully sticks are often loaded with fat and calories. Dr. Wilson often tells his clients that many dogs and cats are just as excited with an extra piece of kibble instead of fatty snacks.  Low-calorie options, such as lean treats or apples or carrots, can also be a big hit.                               
• Break out the toys or hit the streets! If your vet says your pet is healthy enough for regular exercise, get them moving. For indoor cats, toss out a few toys that your cat likes to chase or bat around or just put out a few empty shoe or delivery boxes (search for "cats playing with boxes” on Youtube – you’ll thank me later).                                  
• Swing by CAH for a complimentary weigh-in! Bring your pet by anytime to weigh your pet – there’s no cost. After the pandemic you can bring them for a weight check in yourself, but in the meantime call 978-369-3503 and we'll weigh them and let you know the result. Check our hours and stop by!

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Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2021!