“Owners can play a direct role in safely reducing the weight of their cats or dogs in a high percentage of cases of pet obesity. The problem is that many people do not know how to recognize if their pet is overweight or how to rectify the situation,” A minor change in the diet and feeding patterns of pets and regular exercise can have a major impact on improving their life span and quality.
How to tell if your Pet is Overweight
- Standing above your cat/dog, look down and check for a “Waist” – pets at the proper weight will have a visible indentation behind their ribs.
- Place both hands, palms down, lightly on your cat’s or dog’s ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs, but they shouldn’t be sticking out.
- If you cannot feel the ribs, chances are your cat/dog is overweight. Overweight pets also commonly have pouches of fat in the groin area between the hind legs.
- If you can see the ribs, chances are your cat/dog is underweight.
As a responsible pet owner, you owe it to your pet to take her dental care seriously, both professionally and at home. If you start as early as possible in your dog’s life getting her accustomed to having her mouth handled, then dental care should be as easy as feeding her. Do you know what the most common health problem is in dogs? Eighty percent of domestic dogs that are three years and older are affected by infection of the gums. Yet it’s one of the most overlooked problems by pet owners.
What are some possible signs of dental disease?
- Bad breath.
- Discolored teeth.
- Red or swollen gums.
- Loss of teeth.
- Difficulty in chewing and eating.
- Weight loss.
- Broken or missing teeth.
- Nasal discharge.
- Blood in the saliva.
- Tearing or swelling below one eye.
How does a dog get periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease starts with plaque. This is the white film that accumulates on our teeth. If the plaque is not removed through regular teeth brushing, it will mineralize (harden) and turn into tartar. As the tartar builds, the plaque continues to accumulate and infect the gums.
How can periodontal disease be prevented?
Unfortunately, periodontal disease cannot be reversed. It can, however, be slowed or stopped with proper dental care. There are several things you can do to prevent this disease from affecting your pet.
- Brush your pet’s teeth regularly.
- Feed your pet a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Provide your pet a dental chew toys and chew items.
- Get regular dental exams by a veterinarian.