Better Living

Tip 21 and 22:  Pet Supplements And Vitamins

For those that are considering their pet's nutritional needs, a key consideration should be in the nutrition of the pet's food in terms of vitamins and minerals.  Unfortunately, many of the commercial products on the market are less than the highest quality for the pet and will often cause them to gain weight or at least not to lose weight.

More so, it is hard to know what is in that food product in vitamins and minerals.  For this reason, it is recommended that you add a supplement to your pet's diet to help them to get a healthy diet nutritionally.  A pet that has the nutrients it needs is more likely to be active, eat well and even to lose weight faster.

Talk with your vet to find the best product for your specific pet.  Supplements often come in a range of types and can be specifically selected based on what your pet's diet does not provide enough of.  This is a key element in helping your pet to lose weight!

Tip 23:  Age Matters

Pets of all ages need the right amount of food to make them healthy.  This goes without saying that they need nutritionally balanced foods.  But, does their age make a difference in the food that they take in?

Pets that are younger require more calories to be consumed because they use quite a few more to grow, develop and even just to play.  They also require vitamins and minerals that will help them to develop strong bones and muscles.  More so, they need nutrition so that they start off as healthy as possible.

As a pet will age, his dietary intake also lessens.  For example, you will find that many pets will need much less food as they are older because they are less active and they often are less dependant on food for growth.  Older pets also need various supplements and considerations in terms of food nutrients.  Now, nutrients need to help protect them from aging signs and disease.

Balance your pet's diet with their age and activity level to see the best results.

Tip 24 and 25: Monitor And Regulate Weight

If you wish to control your pet's weight, then you must take into consideration where they stand on a regular basis.  Your pet's diet is going to be based on various factors including the foods they take in and the nutritional level of those food products. 

Right now you should know what they weigh.  An overweight pet should be weighed weekly to determine if they are losing weight on the weight reduction plan they are on.  More so, the pet's diet should be regulated accordingly.

For example, if the pet's weight monitoring shows that they are not losing weight, their diet should be regulated weekly to accommodate for this.  If they are losing too much weight, their diet should be changed to add more calories to it.  Regulation of their diet is based on the amount of weight loss monitored weekly!

Your vet should also monitor their weight loss at six month appointments, especially in severely overweight animals.

Tip 26:  The Exercise

Exercise is the second most important way to help your pet stay healthy.  Pets that are exercised correctly are able to burn through stored fat faster.  Coupled with a healthy diet, the pet can ultimately lose weight as well as gain health through exercise.

The amount of exercise that your pet needs is dependant on the type of pet that you have, the size, age and the activity level comfortable for them.  Pets that are not exercised regularly now are likely to need time to build up stamina later.  Never push your pet too far that makes them uncomfortable.



Giving your pet exercise is dependant on the type of pet that it is, of course.  Cats, dogs, ferrets, birds and other animals can be exercised by you!  As a pet owner, make it your responsibility to get the fittest pet by being proactive in their exercising!

Tip 27:  Type of Exercise

What type of exercise is good for your pet?  This will be dependant on the type of animal that you have.  For example, if you have a dog, running, playing and even walking is great exercise for them.  For cats, walking them, playing with them and providing them with structures to play on will help.

Ferrets can be handled much the same way as cats are.  Birds will need time to fly and having contraptions that they can play with in their cage will help.  Smaller animals like gerbils and rabbits need structures in their cages that will allow them to run and play.  Giving them enough room is important as well.

Pets can be exercised in any way that involves them moving about that they enjoy doing.  You can take care of your pet the best when you can find a method of exercise that they enjoy and allow them the means to do so often.  All pets enjoy being active unless they are hurt.

Tip 28:  Exercise And Ailments

It is extremely important to take into consideration the pet's ability to exercise.  Pets that are hurt or pets that are severely overweight may not be able to do as much exercise as you would like them to do.

If your pet's vet tells you that the pet needs to be careful with movements or increased activity, be respectful of that element.  You want to be sure that the pet is able to exercise comfortably.

Of course, you also want to be sure that the pet's exercise level is enjoyable for the pet too.  Lazy pets, so to speak, need to be encouraged to exercise.  When acceptable, do so.  When the animal is unable due to a painful situation like an injury or because of disease, resort to what your vet tells you the pet can perform.

Never over exercise a pet either.  This can cause them to become ill, fatigued and often can lead to sudden health problems.  Take care of the exercise that you provide your pet as you do for yourself.  The results will be the same for you and them.

Tip 29:  Exercising With You

Pets that are reluctant to exercise are generally so because they are unused to doing so.  They are not unable to exercise but do not have any interest in running or playing.  When this is not caused by any ailment to the pet, it may be because they are simply uninterested.

To encourage them, exercise with them.  Pets that have people encouraging them to move and play are more likely to enjoy doing so.

What's important to remember is that nearly all pets are dependant on their owners for attention.  They will do nearly anything that you want them to do as long as it means positive attention from you.  This is a powerful tools that all pet owners should consider when it comes to exercising for weight loss.

Find an activity that you and your pet can do together and make that an integral part of their weight loss program.  They will love it and you may also enjoy the process as well.

Tip 30:  Pet Parks Are Great!

A great way for your pet to get the exercise they need is at the local pet park.  Currently, most of these parks are designed for dogs, but you may also find that they work well for cats and other animals that can be leashed as well.

Pet parks provide various activities for the pet to do.  This may include things to climb on, a place to run and even other animals to interact with.  The fact is that this is a great way for pet owners to fully allow their pets exercise that is good for them.

Just as you would take your child to play at the park, take your pet.  Most pets will find that this is a great way to move and play.  You can often meet other pet owners here as well and find some friends to enjoy.

It is extremely important that your pet be socialized in order to participate in the pet parks available.  To find out if your area offers this type of park, contact city hall and ask.  If not, find out if you can help get one started.  You may help many pets to lose the necessary weight in doing so.  They all will appreciate that!