Do This Healthy Pet DIY Project - Find Your Pet's Body Condition Score

Here is a Healthy Pet DIY Project: 

Pet - Body Condition Score

Here is a DIY project you won't see on HGTV.  Determine your pets BCS - Body Condition Score.  Just like in humans, a lean, fit body is a good sign that your pet is eating the right amount of food and getting proper exercise.  So tackle this project this weekend.  You don't even have to go to Home Depot.

Body Condition Score

To determine a body condition score use your hands not you eyes.  Use your fingers, hands flat. Pressing lightly, rub down the side of the pet's body while feeling its ribs.

The skin should feel like a t-shirt covering the ribs, not a sweatshirt or a parka.

1)  Make a fist and feel over your knuckles, if the pet's ribs feel like your knuckles...the animal is too thin.

2)  Now open your fist and feel the top of your knuckles.  If the pet's ribs feel like that... it's just right.

3)  Now turn your hand over, palm up and feel the base of your fingers.  If the pet's ribs feel like that... the animal is too fat.

The ribs and hips should be widest part of the body; waistline the narrowest.  The base of the tail of most dogs should be bony and feel like it does while tapping your kneecap.

What to do: Start by looking at your pet and what you feed your pet. Go to http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-check for a visual chart of what your pet should look like. Make sure you are not feeding your pet more than 1 (measuring) cup of food per 20 lbs. of weight per day. This is just a general guideline we use at All Creatures so then, consult with us or your veterinarian about the specific diet and activity needs of your pet.

If you have questions, call us to set up a free Pet Diet Consult with one of our Certified Veterinary Assistants.

REFERERNCES

http://www.petobesityprevention.com

http://www.petfit.com (Live Light Videos with Alison Sweeney)

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Free Pet Diet Consults

Friday, July 26, 2013

11:00am - 2:00pm

Come and Go

$10 OFF Tuesdays on Express Pet Bath

On Tuesdays, bring your pet in for a discounted "Express Bath". Express baths will be $10 off the regular price every Tuesday and will still include nail trim, anal gland expression and ear cleaning but will be limited to a 15 minute brush out (that's what makes it express!) (Discounts may not be combined)

Pet Obesity Problem Keeps Expanding

Example of what not to do

The number of pets diagnosed as overweight continues to expand according to the fifth annual survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP).  The study found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That equals 88.4 million pets that are too heavy.

The interesting finding in the survey showed that only 22 percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. APOP founder Dr.Ernie Ward refers to this phenomenon as the "fat pet gap” or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we’ve made fat pets the new normal.

The causes for overweight pets are the same as in humans, too much food and too little activity. While those two factors are easy to understand, many owners may not realize the severe, and costly, health problems caused or made worse by excess weight. Common woes include diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, high blood pressure and cancer. Research also shows that pets fed less over their lifetime can live significantly longer. At pet insurance company, Petplan USA, five of the top claims all have a close correlation to obesity.

There are roadblocks to efforts to get a handle on this problem;

1) Perception.  As mentioned by Dr. Ward, many owners don’t believe the clinical reality.

2) Information. Pet food makers aren't required to list caloric content on labels unless the product bills itself as low calorie; also, feeding directions on bags are listed for the "most demanding" life stage and can overfeed for a less active pet.

3) Exercise. Large breed dogs like Labradors and German shepherds need 30 to 60 minutes of active play daily, or two to three miles of walking. Smaller breeds still require about 15 to 30 minutes of play, while cats benefit from short five- to 15-minute bursts of activity like chasing toys.

What to do: Start by looking at your pet and what you feed your pet. Go to http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-check for a visual chart of what your pet should look like. Make sure you are not feeding your pet more than 1 (measuring) cup of food per 20 lbs. of weight per day. This is just a general guideline we use at All Creatures so then, consult with us or your veterinarian about the specific diet and activity needs of your pet. If you have questions, call us to set up a free Pet Diet Consult.

REFERERNCES

http://www.petobesityprevention.com
http://www.drernieward.com
http://www.hillspet.com/