Dog and Cat (Photo : Twitter)
New Year's resolutions not only can benefit humans but also pets as well, so it is an excellent time for their owners to think about how to improve the lives of their furry friends. They can include a wide array of issues, including the pet's weight, nutrition, teeth, vaccinations, and checkups.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports that over 50 percent of all cats and dogs in the United States are either overweight or obese. Even having a small amount of extra body weight can have a negative effect on the animal's quality of life and lifespan.
A Purina study showed that lean dogs live nearly two years longer than overweight canines. In addition, the extra fat results in 80 percent higher rates of arthritis, according to Daily Progress.
It is also important to feed pets healthy food. Quality pet food can reduce the risk of disease, and also result in benefits such as cleaner teeth, shinier coats, and healthier joints.
It is also critical that tarter and plaque be cleaned from pets' teeth. The reason is that periodontal disease is closely linked to other illnesses including kidney disease, liver problems, heart disease, and stroke.
Pet owners should also help to keep their pets free of parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms. This can help to prevent various illnesses such as Lyme disease.
It is also vital for pet owners to take their pets to the animal clinic on a regular basis. January and February are excellent times to visit a veterinarian in order to get regular screenings and vaccinations.
Finally, during the holiday season it is important to keep certain foods away from pets. Chocolate is quite dangerous due to the compound theobromine that is toxic to animals, according to Pauls Valley Daily Democrat.
Here's a weight-loss camp for pets:
