Fat Cats and Podgy Pooches: Keeping Your Pets Healthy and Happy

The last ten years or so have seen a real increase in awareness with regards to obesity
and healthy living. From diets to social-health agendas people are more clued up than
ever as regards the dangers o! being overweight.
"adly this message doesn#t seem to trans!er to pet care. The $K in particular has seen
steadily rising levels o! obesity in pet dogs and cats - with many su!!ering !rom
associated illnesses.
There are around %.%m pet dogs and &.&m pet cats in 'ritain. (n )"CP( survey puts
this !igure into perspective: *+, o! owners over-indulge their pets despite the ma-ority
.nowing it will decrease their li!espans/
The long term e!!ects o! obesity in dogs and cats may include diabetes arthritis and
heart disease: all o! which may reduce your pets li!espan by two or more years/
High calorie treats and a lac. o! e0ercise are the main culprits.
however it#s never too late to change things !or the better. 1ven smaller things li.e pet
!latulence can be treated quickly and easily
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.
2ne o! the !irst things to be aware o! is your pet#s calori!ic inta.e. 'eing treatwise is
important. For e0ample i! your dog is used to snac.s with high salt content why not
substitute with something healthier
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? 3t#s worth noting that lower calorie !oods also
e0ist !or cats
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!
10ercise is also integral particularly in dogs which need regular wal.s to .eep them
healthy. 4odern toys have been designed to stimulate your dogs as well as get them out
and about. Chuc.3t !or instance provide a spectrum o! 5uality toys your dog will love
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/
Keeping a cat active and healthy isn#t di!!icult either. ( traditional scratch-post is always a
good idea and one with added catnip
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will .eep them entertained !or hours.
Finally try to ensure your precious pets maintain their mobility. Protecting your cat or dog
!rom -oint pain is o!ten much easier than you thin.. There are several healthy
supplements available !or targeting this area o! pet health: the ma-ority are in an easily
ingested pill format
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which can be ground into their !ood.
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