THERE are a lot of dietary concerns especially when it comes to controlling obesity in pets. A lot of owners will argue that it was perhaps the usual food that they provide in abundance to their pets that caused the obesity. This is actually far from the truth as a lot of our pets don't crave for variety. Feed a dog the same type of food every day, and watch him grow in satisfaction. To prevent obesity, feed it fewer calories.If you want to change its brand of food, do it gradually over time till you finally make that change. It is also important that you feed it on a regular basis (at specific times). If you abruptly change its routine, it will always crave for its food at the time that it is used to, and many tend to find anything to eat at that time; compounding the already bad situation.One of the very few indulgences that make pets to be overweight is when we feed them treats unnecessarily. Treats, which are themselves supplementary foods, should not be fed outside the expected caloric requirement for the day. They should be made to substitute part of the daily caloric value.There are a lot of low caloric treats that can be exchanged for real food. Apart from that, some pets can benefit from being fed apples, oranges, carrots, broccoli, potatoes and green beans as treats. However, if your pet has trouble digesting these raw fruits and vegetables, you might want to try giving it ice cubes, especially during hot weather.Sometimes, a few throws of your pet's regular dry food may actually serve as treat whenever it does anything to your satisfaction. Do not overdo this however; keep it within limits as you may unwittingly be overfeeding it.Also, don't feed your pet table scraps. A lot of pets, especially the ones indoors, actually beg for food. Ignore them for the sake of their health. Most human foods are full of salt, fat and other ingredients your pet doesn't need. Most of these unwanted ingredients will cause it to gain unwanted pounds and sometimes cause indigestion or diarrhea. Keep all your leftovers and scraps in places where your pet cannot reach them, such as a refrigerator or covered trash bins.Apart from diet control, exercise can also be an excellent way to keep your pet in optimal physical and mental health. It is very important to be very cautious about the way you implement exercise regimen.Walking or jogging particularly on a soft surface is a great form of exercise. But you have to keep in mind that too much can be strenuous, and your dog can tire easily. Start your dog with short walks each day to get it accustomed to the sand. It is important to build up its endurance level and make it walk with its natural gait. Any deviation from this may cause injuries and can also result in muscle cramps and spasms.If the facilities are available, swimming is another form of exercise that is perfect for your pet, especially dogs. However, never leave your pet unattended to in any swimming pool.As for the cat, it is not natural for your mewing friend to embark on a mile walk with you. You may however design indoor activities that suffice for exercise. You can make it chase something attached to a string or just anything that will keep it constantly busy in the house.Finally, whatever activities you choose, never leave your cat unsupervised. So controlling obesity in pets is fairly simple, so long you feed them sensibly and maintain them through good physical activities.References: American Kennel Club Bulletin and American Animal Hospital Association Bulletin.
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