Pet Care: Helping Your Overweight Pet to Lose Weight and Be Healthy

Being overweight isn't just confined to the human population. The number of overweight pets is growing. There are ways to help your pet lose weight and be healthy by eating better and getting more exercise.

The majority of overweight pets are that way for two reasons. They eat entirely too much and they get little exercise. Some are overweight due to medical reasons, but that's the exception rather than the rule.

Pets do not need to have a supply of food readily available to them all day. Puppies and kittens need fed about three to four times a day while they are growing. Pregnant and nursing cats and dogs need to be fed about the same about of times a day. Grown pets only need fed once a day, with the amount varied according to their size. Whatever they will eat at one sitting is usually plenty. If your small dog eats a cup of food and leaves a little on a regular basis, then that one cup is more than plenty for him. A large dog will obviously need more. The point is don't overfeed the animals.

The food being fed to the pets is another factor in weight gain. Some pet owners prepare the food themselves, which is fine. But feeding a pet table food in general on a regular basis will often lead to the pet being overweight. High calorie foods meant for human consumption is not healthy for pets to eat over an extended period of time. It's best in general to stick to the commercial pet foods unless you are experienced in preparing healthy pet foods.

A pet needs exercise just as humans do. A pet that lays around and doesn't move much or play will eventually gain too much weight, which is very unhealthy for its body and the heart especially. Playing with the pet, letting the pet outside more often, taking the pet for a walk, even jogging with the pet can help the pet to lose weight, get exercise, and be healthier.

Some pet owners live in areas that make it difficult for the pet to get regular exercise. An idea for this dilemma is to turn your treadmill on a low setting and place the pet on the treadmill, allowing him to walk. Be sure to never leave the pet unattended while the pet is walking.