Healthy pets are happy pets!

When was the last time you really looked at your pet and thought about whether he/she was the right weight? If you’re like most of us, it probably wasn’t too recently.  So we’ve put together a simple guide to help you determine whether your pet’s weight may need a change, or if you’re right on track.

CHECKING YOUR PET’S WEIGHT

Start out by feeling around his ribs, back and spine. You should be able to feel his spin and ribs with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones. If you can’t find the ribcage, your guy may need to lose some pounds.

You can also check in with your vet, and/or consult a breed specific weight chart.

Some breeds can easily put on weight (like Dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles, Beagles, Labs, and Golden Retrievers) while others (Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers), are typically slim and rarely have weight problems. If you do consult a breed specific weight chart, remember that they are approximate weight targets, so use it only when really needed and always with caution.

EVALUATING CAUSES

These are some quick questions to ask yourself when trying to evaluate why your pet may be over, or underweight.

• Are you over-feeding?  
  This is a great time to evaluate breakfast and dinner portions. You can reference the back of the food packaging and take into consideration your pet’s ideal weight to determine if you are under or over feeding. But remember these are recommendations and you may need to adjust based on your pet’s individual metabolism.
• Are you getting carried away with treats?
  Those treats can add up quickly! And if you love to give your pet snacks throughout the day you may want to look into some low-calorie options, or get them on a less frequent treating schedule.
• Are they getting enough exercise?
  Sometimes it seems that younger pets need exercise to get out all their energy, while senior pets just don’t need it as much. But just like us, we need to make sure they get at least 30 minutes of walking a day to help keep their metabolism up and to keep their joints healthy.
• Are they eating the right food?
  Between allergies, picky eaters, and different types of food, it can be hard to know what food is best for your pet.  We stand by every one of the Kriser’s Approved brands that we carry in store and are extremely educated on the nutritional value that each one offers. We can help you find the right food for your specific pet’s needs.