HOW FIT IS YOUR FUR-PAL
A Guide to Giving Your Dog the Best Life Possible We all know the importance of fitness. We hear about it all the time from our doctors, the media, and even our friends and family. But, I'd venture to guess that most people spend significantly less time thinking about the fitness of their four-legged friends.
I called on local veterinarian Dr. Sarina Barbara, DVM (Dr. B), to provide the most accurate information. Her patients affectionately call her Dr. B, so we will too. Dr. B is an Associate Veterinarian at Florida Wild Veterinary Clinic in DeLand, FL. To be honest, I hoped Dr. B would give me some cut and dried data. Like, dogs need x amount of exercise per day, or dogs should eat x amount of food per day. Unfortunately, dog breeds are as varied as people are, and no such data exists. Imagine how widely the
do. If you're not already seeing a veterinarian regularly, now is a great time to start. Dr. B shared with me that "obesity is a major issue in the United States with pet dogs." As with their owners, dogs need regular exercise and a balanced diet to stay fit and healthy. "Americans generally see food as affection and love, so, unfortunately, that does result in a lot of dogs being overweight and obese," she added. As parents, we find other options than sweet treats to reward good behavior in our children. It's equally important to establish healthy ways to show affection to our pets. Fortunately, for our dogs' well-being, exercise is a great option. Limiting a dog's calories can be difficult, and it's easy to give in. But we must remember that "people food" can quickly contribute to obesity and other health problems in dogs, but that's just the beginning. The more that you feed your pets people food, the more likely they are to become picky eaters and refuse their kibble in the future. You inadvertently find yourself in an unhealthy cycle where your dog manages their diet, not the other way around. Remember that establishing a responsible diet is an act of love.
needs of miniature dog breeds vary from those of herding dogs like Australian Shepherds who were bread to run for hours and hours at a time. The first and most crucial step in raising a fit dog is maintaining a regular care schedule with a veterinarian in your community. Dogs need regular medical care just as much as we 16
Aging Times Magazine | April 2022
You can tell when your dog is out of shape in some of the same ways you can tell if a person is out of shape. Dogs who pant a lot, have a higher respiratory rate, are easily fatigued, and have poor endurance are often out of shape. However, sometimes these symptoms are present due to underlying health issues. If your dog is exercise intolerant, it may be a sign that
