Hespeler Animal Hospital

Shedding Pounds With Our Pets

Well, it’s the New Year and it’s time for all those resolutions.  A common one is to lose some weight.  Your pet can help you out with that one!

Dogs and cats may not be personal trainers and they can’t lead an aerobics class, but they can still be as helpful as exercise machines in helping us lose weight.

Your pet can encourage you to exercise and make walking more enjoyable.  Although friends and relatives can offer support, sometimes they can also be negative or inadvertently sabotage our attempts.  A dog won’t do that.

Fido likes going for walks and will be thrilled to help you with your exercise program.  It’s hard to say no to him when he keeps dragging his leash around the house at the same time each day, or looking expectantly at the front door.  Walking a dog is fun, so it’s seems less like hard work.

 In fact, a Canadian study showed that dog owners actually averaged 300 minutes per week walking.  Canadians without dogs only walk an average of 168 minutes per week.

Our pets can also help us succeed because we want them to be healthy too.  Many dogs and cats are overweight.  If they exercise with us, they’ll trim up as well.  That’s a real source of pride for many pet owners, especially when they bring the animal in for its semi-annual checkup.  Vets love to see their patients achieve a healthy weight.

Don’t have a dog?  Your cat needs exercise too.  You can spend 20 minutes each day playing with your cat.  Toss Fluffy’s food for her to chase, rather than letting her eat from a bowl. Tie a “tail” around your waste for Oscar to hunt and pounce as you do housework (that burns calories for both of you!).   Or provide a Tricky Treat Ball to stimulate activity and dispense favorite treats. 

But, before you rush out to buy a tracksuit for your four-legged friend, there are a few considerations to make sure everyone stays healthy and safe.

First, just like you, your pet may not be ready for the Mini-Marathon.  Go easy at first. For some very obese dogs, you might begin with simply walking to the end of the block, then gradually working up to longer distances. 

Don’t put your pet at risk for sports injuries such as ruptured cruciate ligaments. Respect your pet’s limits.  Allow Fido time to build strength and stamina. 

Not all pets are equally suited to the same level of exercise.  For example, some dogs can run with their owners, whereas others are best kept at a walk.  Be sure to tailor your exercise plan to your dog’s physical and athletic abilities.

Don’t forget the appropriate diet!  For overweight pets, a reducing diet from your veterinarian is best.  For animals in peak condition, there are special performance diets to provide the right level of nutrients.

Be sure you and your pet get a physical exam before starting any weight loss or exercise program.  Your veterinarian can advise you on a safe weight loss and exercise program for your pet. 

Lifestyle changes mean more people and pets are sedentary than ever, and more are obese as a result.  Hopefully the New Year and your pet’s company will give you the incentive to get you both in better health, whether you’re looking to lose weight, or simply to increase your fitness level.