New Year's Resolutions For Your Pet?  Why Not?

With a new year upon us comes the age-old tradition of resolutions.  Did you know that vowing to diet and exercise is the most common pledge people make?  Did you know that many pets need you to make weight loss and exercise a priority for them, too?

    The buddy system is a great motivator.  If you are one of the many people who are going to follow through with a responsible diet and exercise program, consider including your faithful pet.

    A recent survey indicates that 80 percent of pet owners think their pets are the right weight or underweight.  But veterinarians report at lest 25 percent of the pets they examine in private practice are overweight.  Learn to think in percentages: three extra pounds on a cat can be 30 percent extra weight.  Eight extra pounds on a dog that should weigh 40 pounds is 20 percent too much!

    Do you think your cushy tabby cat is just right?  Most cats only need to weigh eight to ten pounds.  Think your dog's wide silhouette is just due to his fluffy hair?  You should be able to feel your dog's ribs with slight fingertip pressure, and your dog's shape when viewed from the top should not remind you of your favorite ottoman.

    Just as you should ask you physician about your weight loss program, the same is true for  your pet.  Always check with your other family doctor - your veterinarian - first.  He or she can tell you how much weight your pet needs to lose.  It is also very important to make sure that your pet does not have any other diseases which can be caused by obesity and which also must be managed.  A complete physical examination is needed, and some times blood tests are indicated.    

    Extra weight places extra demands on all of the body's organs.  Some of the serious complications of obesity found in our pets are damage to joints, difficulty breathing, increased stress on heart function, lack of stamina, diabetes and an overall decrease in the quality and length of life.  Obesity can also be a sign of thyroid and other hormonal imbalances.

    Your veterinarian will recommend a nutrition plan that is tailored to your pet's needs and will advise you on the level of exercise your pet can tolerate. You can get some helpful hints on healthy treats for you pet and how to deal with begging.

    For pets, exercise can be fun time spent with you.  Cats will often run around after a toy on a string.  Even in chilly weather, your dog can benefit from an abbreviated walk or some time spent playing outside with you.   

    Consult your veterinarian soon about a diet and exercise plan that's right for your pet.  Make sure you and your pet have many healthy, active years ahead of you.

                                - Courtesy of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association

If you need a veterinarian, please call the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association at 973-379-1100 for a referral, or visit: www.njvma.org. The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association represents the state's 1,600 licensed veterinarians.