Pet Spotlight: Fitness for Fido and Felix

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Like humans, many dogs and cats are overweight and prone to diseases like diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease and cancer. That’s why, just like us, it’s essential they eat healthy and exercise.

Some active dog breeds, like labs, need an hour or more a day of activity. For others, just a walk around the block will do. Remember, whatever activities you initiate with a sedentary pet, start slow and increase the length and intensity of their activities over a few weeks. Many dog breeds may be built to run, but if they’re overweight and have been inactive for a while, they could be dealing with strains on their joints, hearts and lungs.

Here are some simple but smart fitness ideas to get you and your dog started:

  • Walking, running and biking: If your pet hasn’t been out much, start with a long walk or short jog. Extended runs or bicycle rides aren’t a good idea unless you know they can handle the exertion and they’re built for it — for instance, short-nosed dogs like English or French bulldogs are definitely not made for long runs and can quickly suffer heatstroke. And be sure to protect their feet — hot and cold roads and sidewalks in the summer and winter can cause serious damage.
  • Swimming: We assume dogs love to swim (and that cats don’t) but many dog breeds are not very good swimmers. If you’re going to take them swimming, invest in a life vest.
  • Balls and frisbees: Virtually anything can be a reason to play with your dog. A visit to the park or the back yard, with some impromptu throwing and fetching, is guaranteed good exercise.

And cats need to stay active too! Throwing around play toys and a little fun with a laser toy for a few minutes every day will usually do the trick. Cat climbing trees are also an amazing way to encourage your cat to stay fit. Try dangling a piece of string from a branch near the trunk.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact your vet. And ask for advice from other Shop Talk Blog community forum members!

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Did you know? It’s easy to tell if they’re overweight

Can your dog or cat stand to lose a few pounds? Cuddle them to find out. You should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs. Your vet can also analyze their Body Condition Scale (like a human Body Mass Index) to know for sure. (Source)

 

23 thoughts on “Pet Spotlight: Fitness for Fido and Felix”

  8. Yes and I agree that exercise is good or take them to a dog park let them interact with other dogs if they are dog friendly and burn off energy or a adrigley course can help also. Anything that will help them to be active and to burn energy calories just like humans. They are so much like us in morr than one way that way it’s said man’s best friend.

  9. I can see&feel my dogs ribs&this really bothers me.He doesn’t have worms&he drinks a lot of water.It’s been like this since I got him from my ex boyfriends house.He is not well balanced on his hind legs,he seems weak&falls down.I don’t want to say the man has done something to my dear buffy,because he is 15yrs old.Do you think he is just old&fragile, or I should report the monster?

  10. I have a 7 yr old cat he has a fetish of licking plastic bags any thing plastic I cannot leave anything plastic laying around is there any thing I can do to get him to stop and does it hurt him in any way

  11. Yes I have a dog I try and feed him very well he’s a Pomeranian Yorkie mix that is as cute as a bug’s ear he was he’s a rescue and I’ve had him for a year and a half and he was 3 years old last May 15th name is Sammy and we walk everyday in the mobile home park I live in and he’s lots of fun he always lets me know any has to go outside day or night to do his daddy duties I try and feed him good I give them a little bit of taste of human food now and then he was kind of finicky at first I had to kinda learned what he liked and didn’t like and doggie food and treats was a little expensive it first but you kind of get to know your little four legged friend with their little looks and how they come and stare at you or put them paws up Ron you regret it your bed to go outside at night and the like and he’s learned to watch me and know what I do knows my routine he likes to go for a ride in the car can’t say that word cuz it seemed really excited but I do really funny to watch you get so excited and dances around like when I take out that Keyes oh boy that really gets him going anyway that’s my story about my little dog Sammy you my key word for keeping your four-legged friend happy no matter what their sizes at 5:10 or 15 or 200 pound dog or anything in between keep them walking and running and when you keep them walking or running it helps also keep you in shape I’ve had to lose weight but having a dog again his help me feel better and not only physically but emotionally because they can be so much fun and they’re funny to watch and they return your love tenfold they don’t ask for much except to be loved and scratched and fed and parties outside so just love your pet cat dog bird or whatever but anyway that’s my story about me and my dog send me my other dog’s name was Jay I had him I was 17 years and my almost 70 years on this planet and the past 52 years I’ve only had four dogs sammy is number 5 so I guess that says a lot to take care of your dogs are health and your health you’ll both feel much better and eat right for both of you you’ll feel better for it and believe in your whoever and live life to the best and keep moving!!!!

  14. I have a Havanese that weighs about 12 lbs and he is15 years old. He seems to be a finicky eater but seems to control his weight. Maybe he knows better than I.

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