october/noveMber 2013 Macon Magazine i 105
SpeaKing oF
pet HealtH,
tailsSpin pet Supplies and
the blue buffalo pet Food
company are teaming
up with a few other
stores to raise awareness
of, and much needed
funds for, pet cancer.
the WoofWoof 5K run/
Walk over pet cancer is
nov. 2 in Savannah. See
WoofWoof.com for more
information.
Use an accurate measuring utensil
when scooping out your pet's food. Using
a scoop that appears to be 8 ounces but is
actually larger, such as a coffee mug, ends
up being an easy way to overfeed.
Seek medical supervision before
putting your pet on a strict diet, as
calorie restriction can be harmful.
Cats, unlike dogs, need to nibble and
do not do too well with starvation. A
large reduction of calories can signal
a cat's body to store fat to the liver to
be converted to glucose. Over time,
however, excess fat deposits in the liver
can cause hepatitis in cats.
As a simple rule of thumb to check
if your pet is at an ideal weight, run
your palms over the rib cage of your pet.
Make sure that you can easily feel the
ribs. View from above to see that your
pet has a waist that is a bit smaller than
its shoulders and back. View from the
side to make sure that the stomach is
tucked behind the rib cage.
Just as it goes for humans,
increasing your pet's exercise activities,
along with maintaining a healthy diet by
means of both the quality and quantity of
food, is a smart strategy for better health
and lower vet bills.
