As the Vet Says -
-Dr. Marybeth Feutz, Princeton Veterinary Hospital
Does Your Dog Need to Lose a Little Weight?
So many of us set New Year’s Resolutions around a number on a scale, especially after pandemic life made us a little less active. Have you checked your dog’s weight lately? Does your pup need a resolution, too? A quick way to tell if your dog is at a good weight is to feel for their ribs. You shouldn’t be able to see ribs, but as you rub your hand down their side you should be able to feel the bumps of their rib bones. If you have to push really hard to feel the ribs, your dog is probably overweight. Another good test is to look at your dog from the side. You should be able to see an “abdominal tuck” where your dog’s belly “tucks up” in front of their back legs. If your dog’s belly is pretty flat from their chest to their back legs, that’s another sign that your dog is overweight. Of course, you can always bring your dog to your veterinarian for a weight check and some nutrition advice! Just like in people, the way for our pets to lose weight is to burn more calories than they eat. For our furry family members, restricting the amount of food they get is often easier than it is for us to restrict ourselves! But remember, every treat or table scrap they get counts towards their total daily calories. Our pets also need to get more exercise to help
them lose weight. Regular walks or playtime outside are great for our pet’s health, and for our health, too! Interactive or puzzle feeders can help our dogs get a little bit of activity while they work for their food. These have the added benefit of making our pets slow down when they eat, which keeps them busy longer. If you think your dog is overweight, bring them in to see our veterinarians, no appointment needed! We can weigh your dog, assess their body condition score, give you a target weight, and give you recommendations for diet and exercise tailored for your pet. If you just need a quick weight check, come in any time during our regular hours to put your dog on our scales at no charge. The Princeton Veterinary Hospital is always here when you need us, and always accepts new patients. Call us at 812-385-2733 if you have any questions, or bring your animals in for an exam, no appointment needed.
C ompassionate care for all animals, LARGE and small
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January 2022
Small Town Living
