Looking for a fun, new way to bond with your pet? A little adventure never hurt anyone! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Alameda is one of the most beautiful, pet-friendly places on the planet! This is not just important for bonding with your pet and enjoying some nature at the same time. Your pet’s weight is tied to their overall health.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 59 percent of cats and 54 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Even worse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim that more than 70 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.
The bad news: Obesity is a serious and costly problem that’s only getting worse every year. The good news: It’s completely preventable.
Every single day of your pet’s life, nutrition plays a critical role in their overall health and well-being. It’s easy to take your pet’s nutritional needs for granted, grabbing the simplest or most cost-effective food for them while at the store.
A sound diet is vital to the health of your pet at any age. Our staff can discuss the dietary requirements essential for proper weight maintenance, performance, growth, and as an aid in the treatment of some diseases at every stage of life.
Before we go down the path of how you can bring your dog on adventures and get outside, let’s talk about your cat! Cats need exercise too, you know! Use tools like flashlights and lasers to entice your feline friend to move while you move, too. Your cat will love the attention and you’ll feel great, too.
Take a new path
Ever tire of your dog walking routine? Same time, same route, day in, day out… Change up that routine in an interesting way: Instead of walking your dog, let your dog walk you. You might enjoy letting your pup lead the way through uncharted territory.
Add intervals
The experts say that interval training is great for the heart, and the same is true for pets. Head out for a walk with your dog, but instead of just walking, increase both of your heartrates by mixing in some different, more intense movements, like jogging, shuffling sideways, and running backward.
Work your muscles
Pump some iron without the iron by using your own bodyweight as resistance, and get your dog involved. If your dog loves to play fetch and your abs could use a bit of toning, grab your dog’s toy of choice and lay flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. As you sit up, throw the toy. Your dog will run after it as you slowly lower your back onto the floor, and he’ll bring it back (hopefully) just in time for you to sit up again and throw it. You can do the same with squats: As you lower into a squatting position, you can raise the toy over your head, prompting your dog to jump for it.
We want to hear about all of your fun adventures with your pet! If you have questions, please let us know!
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