WINTER WEIGHT WATCH Keep Your Pet Fit Through the Cold Months
Winter weight gain can sneak up on you so slowly. The days get shorter and colder, you walk your dog a little less, and relaxing indoors with a snack is a comforting way to spend time.
level. Pet treats can be a helpful motivating tool for play and learning. However, calories from pet snacks can add up fast. A good rule of thumb: Limit treats to 10% of your pet’s diet. A 25–50-pound dog might require roughly 500–1,000 calories a
UnNtiloFtiucrether If you’re tempted to overindulge your pet this winter, remember the rewards your furry friend can gain from a balanced diet. When you help your dog or cat maintain a healthy weight, they will feel better, too, and you have probably lengthened their lifespan! Some processed goodies have more calories than meat treats. GET MOVING Try to walk or play fetch outdoors with your dog every day. If your schedule is packed, ask a family member, friend, or pet sitter to take your pet for a walk. And teach your dog or cat some active indoor games. Your dog will love the attention they receive when they can perform the five top tricks: sit, stay, high-five, spin, and down. Another energizing activity is to teach your pooch to retrieve their favorite toys by name. For cats, hunting games, such as playing with a laser toy, can be exciting.
Then come the consequences: By the time you get outdoors next spring, your
beloved pet may be panting harder, moving slower, and their waistline may have vanished beneath a layer of extra weight. Here are two ways to ward off wintertime weight gain in your pet.
day, and at 30–50 calories apiece, Pup-Peroni or Milk-Bone treats can hit 10% fast. A 10-pound indoor cat might require 20
calories per pound, or 200 calories daily. At 2 calories per morsel, 10 small cat treats will hit the 10% limit.
To fill the gap, serve a few kibbles for your pet to lick. Many canines enjoy small amounts
MEASURE WHAT MATTERS Avoid overfeeding your furry friend by measuring your pet’s food. A digital
of carrots, celery, or bell peppers served raw. But before substituting packaged veggie treats for dogs, check the label:
food scale or an electronic pet food measuring scoop can help you keep servings at a healthy
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
Clients Spreading the Word
Terri Dunn Jessie Melison
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