Pet Insurance. Podgy Pets Need A Diet Plan
by: Michael Challiner
Is your pet overweight? Four out of every ten pets are obese says one of the UK 's largest pet insurers.
Owners are overfeeding their dogs and cats with massive portions and fatty foods as well lots of treats from the table. This had led to a huge increase in the number of pet insurance claims for health problems brought on by obesity.
Petplan has revealed that during the last five years it has seen a 60% increase in obesity related claims amongst the 800,000 pets it covers. As a result there are reports that some pet insurers are looking at cutting payouts if your pet is obese.
Obesity in pets causes many of the same problems it does in humans. An overweight pet is prone to many weight related conditions including: joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing and heart problems and diabetes. Obese cats can also contract skin disorders from not being able to groom themselves thoroughly. The overall impact of obesity on your pets' comfort and longevity could be catastrophic.
But perhaps there's good news. It's easier for you to trim down your pets weight than it is for you to fight the battle of the bulge. After all, your pet can't grab the car keys for a trip to the chippy or phone out for a Chinese. They can't even open the refrigerator door on their own! Your pet eats what you give it - so you're in control. So if it's fat, that's your responsibility. Equally, the remedy is in your hands. Although exercise might not be your bag, your pet will always be up for a walk or a game with a toy on a string, or most popular of all doggy games, fetch the stick.
So how do you know if your pet is overweight? A healthy pet will always have some padding on them - but a little is quite enough! Start off by gently rubbing your hands over their ribs. You should be able to feel their ribs and the skin should move easily back and forth. Then step back and look at your pet from the side - if your pet looks pregnant and it shouldn't be, it's overweight! Your pet should also have a obvious waist at the base of the rib cage, a small tuck-in around the stomach area. Now look at your pet from above - it's equally bad news if you can see a bump out from its middle into an apple shape. Birds too can be obese. Examine polly for rolls of fat or a thicker breast.
Certain breeds and species of pet are more likely to develop weight problems. In dogs, labradors and spaniels are especially liable to fatten up, as do beagles, corgis and retrievers. In cats the less-active breeds such as Persians are far more likely to gain weight than the go-go breeds such as Abyssinians and Siamese. And in birds, Amazon parrots are special contenders to expand into perch potatoes.
Please be aware that crash diets aren't a good idea for pets. Be especially careful with cats who can develop a fatal liver problem if they're forced to lose weight too quickly. Pets don't get obese overnight and it should not be forced to slim down too quickly. Only feed at set meal times and be sure to cut out those tip bits. Then introduce more exercise. Your vet should also advise you on a regime of special diet foods. Be sure to do all of this gradually but please, be committed – your pet's life may depend on it.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Christmas Time
Christmas Time
by David the Dogman
Every year comes the message "A Dog Is Not For Christmas, its for life"
A living puppy should not be thought of in the same category as a Christmas toy. A puppy that makes it first appearance, as a gift under the Christmas tree is more likely to be thought of by children as an object or a toy, rather than a family member.
Whilst walking around the Christmas Bazaars and markets do not be tempted to take a dog home with you. If you see a particular dog that you like then arrange with the charity in question to collect the pet a few days after Christmas when everything has settled down. You can then go to the shelter by appointment to collect your new dog or cat. As a sign of good faith one would expect you to make a deposit donation.
I would urge readers to certainly not consider giving a friend a pet for Christmas. If you are thinking of a new pet then give a thought as to how old you will be in ten years time, and where you might be living. Are you prepared to attend training classes? Young dogs are destructive; can you supervise a young dog for the next year? If you do not have a baby what will you do with the dog when a baby arrives? If you have to return to your homeland due to ill health, what will you do with the dog? Most important can you afford the vets fees?
It is always a good idea to check if your vet is offering an emergency service over the Christmas period and to keep the telephone numbers handy. Vet fees are double for out of hours emergencies. If your dog is going into kennels now is the time to check that your pet has up to date vaccinations. Check you have enough medication for the holiday period.
Christmas is the time that we celebrate and we humans do make a lot of noise and have a lot of strangers around the home. This can be a distressing time for our pet dogs and cats Do try to keep to your routine and please do not forget those essential walks. Our Christmas crackers can be terrifying to a nervous dog and it is worth considering a homeopathic remedy called "Rescue" Five drops on the tongue really calms pets and also humans!
Christmas trees are pretty but watch out your pet might be fascinated with the decorations. It is a good idea to keep the tree off the floor and to keep any electrical wires out of reach from pets. The tree lights should only be on when pets can be supervised.
Many dogs and cats have been known to swallow decorations, cracker ornaments and tinsel threads. Watch out for those fruit bowls, which might have walnuts, peach stones and Brazil nuts and of course as we all know human chocolates are dangerous to our pets and can kill. Choc drops made for dogs are not dangerous they do not contain theobromine.
Christmas is the time that we feast and drink and of course we are apt to over eat but I am afraid that dogs often suffer the worst for overeating. No pets should ever be given any form of alcohol and certainly no bones from the Turkey. Yes I agree that there is no problem giving your pet a Christmas treat but please avoid fatty scrapes and do feed in moderation. Never leave tempting treats lying around the floor and remind the children to stop feeding the family pet with sweets.
by David the Dogman
Every year comes the message "A Dog Is Not For Christmas, its for life"
A living puppy should not be thought of in the same category as a Christmas toy. A puppy that makes it first appearance, as a gift under the Christmas tree is more likely to be thought of by children as an object or a toy, rather than a family member.
Whilst walking around the Christmas Bazaars and markets do not be tempted to take a dog home with you. If you see a particular dog that you like then arrange with the charity in question to collect the pet a few days after Christmas when everything has settled down. You can then go to the shelter by appointment to collect your new dog or cat. As a sign of good faith one would expect you to make a deposit donation.
I would urge readers to certainly not consider giving a friend a pet for Christmas. If you are thinking of a new pet then give a thought as to how old you will be in ten years time, and where you might be living. Are you prepared to attend training classes? Young dogs are destructive; can you supervise a young dog for the next year? If you do not have a baby what will you do with the dog when a baby arrives? If you have to return to your homeland due to ill health, what will you do with the dog? Most important can you afford the vets fees?
It is always a good idea to check if your vet is offering an emergency service over the Christmas period and to keep the telephone numbers handy. Vet fees are double for out of hours emergencies. If your dog is going into kennels now is the time to check that your pet has up to date vaccinations. Check you have enough medication for the holiday period.
Christmas is the time that we celebrate and we humans do make a lot of noise and have a lot of strangers around the home. This can be a distressing time for our pet dogs and cats Do try to keep to your routine and please do not forget those essential walks. Our Christmas crackers can be terrifying to a nervous dog and it is worth considering a homeopathic remedy called "Rescue" Five drops on the tongue really calms pets and also humans!
Christmas trees are pretty but watch out your pet might be fascinated with the decorations. It is a good idea to keep the tree off the floor and to keep any electrical wires out of reach from pets. The tree lights should only be on when pets can be supervised.
Many dogs and cats have been known to swallow decorations, cracker ornaments and tinsel threads. Watch out for those fruit bowls, which might have walnuts, peach stones and Brazil nuts and of course as we all know human chocolates are dangerous to our pets and can kill. Choc drops made for dogs are not dangerous they do not contain theobromine.
Christmas is the time that we feast and drink and of course we are apt to over eat but I am afraid that dogs often suffer the worst for overeating. No pets should ever be given any form of alcohol and certainly no bones from the Turkey. Yes I agree that there is no problem giving your pet a Christmas treat but please avoid fatty scrapes and do feed in moderation. Never leave tempting treats lying around the floor and remind the children to stop feeding the family pet with sweets.
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