Pet Gazette

It’s not just humans who are getting heavier!  Take a look around at the cared for dogs in your neighbourhood and you’ll find quite a few of them who are carrying more than a few extra pounds.  Although a dog with his ribs on display isn’t attractive, one that’s a little flabby may be destined for more problems than not being able to run a doggy marathon. 

A dog’s health is also negatively affected by excessive weight.   They are prone to many of the same conditions that their owners such as diabetes and heart disease.  Their weight can also affect their skin and even increase their chances of having heat stroke in the summer.  Many dogs develop arthritis as they age, but overweight dogs are at a much greater risk of this because of the added stress they are placing on their skeleton.

So is your dog overweight?  The best way to find out is to have a word with your vet.  If you are really concerned, make a specific appointment to discuss this.  If you think your dog is possibly a few pounds overweight but nothing serious then you could wait until your dog’s next annual booster vaccination and then talk about it with the vet – but in the meantime start to watch what your dog eats and try to switch to a healthier eating plan. 

At the meeting with your vet make sure that you find out not only the kind of nutrition that your dog needs, and the quantities they should have for their size, but also how much exercise they need.  Again, like humans, overweight dogs need to start a new exercise regime gently and gradually build up to what should be perfect for them.  The added exercise for your dog will have the positive bonus of helping you put in some additional workout time too – whether it’s simply walking around the block, or toning up your muscles throwing a ball or Frisbee!

As cute as you think your chubby dog looks, remember that additional weight is a health hazard that could not only create a lot of expense in future veterinary bills because of the potential illnesses the weight can create, but also it could cost your dog a number of years off his life. 

Start the New Year with a determination to create a healthier lifestyle not only for yourself, but also for your dog.

Now that Christmas is over, in a relatively short period you could be seeing a number of stray cats in your area.  If you find that you have some that seem to be hanging out in your back garden there are a number of things that you can do to help them:

1.       Check the cat to see if it’s wearing a collar with ID tag – if it’s a young cat then it is possible that it’s lost and someone is looking for it.

2.       Feed them!  If you can afford to buy a box of dried food, or a can of cat food, plus put out fresh water for the cat(s) then at least you know that they aren’t starving.

3.       Provide shelter.  This can be as simple as a cardboard box turned away from the elements.  If you have an old blanket, towel or sweater that could provide some warmth against the winter wind, the cat will appreciate it! 

4.       Call your local veterinary clinic and ask for the telephone number of the local Cat Protection League.  Ring them and let them know that you have a stray in your garden.  They will probably want to know how long it’s been there, and if you have any idea how old it is.

Stray cats can pull on the heartstrings, especially if they are young and it’s very possible that the one that you’re watching over will wriggle its way into your affection, but consider the consequences of having a cat before taking on responsibility for it – you need to make sure that you have the finances, and the time, to first make sure that it’s nourished correctly and is healthy after its time spent un-homed, then if it is a kitten it will need the necessary vaccinations plus it ought to be spayed if your veterinary discovers that this hasn’t been done.  If you have contacted the Cat Protection League prior to offering a home to the stray cat, they may be able to help with the financing of this procedure.

Although stray cats are a common sight all year around, it’s in the weeks following Christmas that those bought for as gifts find themselves suddenly homeless because of no fault of their own, and as these are usually less sturdy then more worldly outdoor cats, any help you can give them will help them survive to adulthood.