Domestic abuse hurts pets too

Today -- D is for a very serious issue: domestic abuse.

When we think of that, we think of people abusing people they're supposed to love: men, women and children.

What about pets?

Sadly some abusers will target a pet to keep an abuse victim from leaving. And sometimes, they do it just to hurt that victim. Pets get abused, some are even killed.

• 48% of survivors delay leaving an abusive situation for fear their pets will be maimed or killed.
• 88% of pets living in domestic violence homes are either abused or killed.

Because of this, many victims will delay escaping a dangerous situation if they can't take their pet with them.

Where I live in Orlando, FL, we are extremely fortunate. We have Harbor House of Central Florida. Harbor House is one of the few domestic violence shelters in the country to have an onsite kennel for the pets of domestic violence victims.

The kennel opened in 2012.

The kennel is 100 percent privately funded. Since it's opened it's saved dogs, cats, even a guinea pig.

But they need help. That's why Saturday, April 26, we're walking to help raise awareness and money for Harbor House. 100 percent of the Paws for Peace Walk goes to Harbor House for its kennel!

We'll be talking more about it this month. We hope you will join us, or help support Team Beagle in the walk!

Lulu with friend Christine and Caleb at the 2014 Paws for Peace Walk.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Christmastime is here

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Take a look at some of the dog-related ornaments in my collection.

That's my I have a bunch of Hallmark Peanuts ornaments. This one recreates the Christmas play scenes in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

Above that one is Max, the Grinch's dog in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Nice Beagle ornament, huh? It's one of the Sandcastle ornaments. And yes, Stitch is right underneath.

And some more of my awesome Charlie Brown ornaments.

• What are your favorite pet ornaments? Comment below!

The dos and don'ts of microchipping your pet

This week we're working on something very important: transferring Lulu's and Jasmine's microchip information.

Both dogs have microchips registered with 24Pet Watch via my parents. But I must admit I never transferred ownership of both dogs on the microchips (and I've had Lulu going on three years). So this is a big step.

Couldn't we be playing instead, Mom?

This happens to coincide with a lot of questions I've gotten lately about microchipping pets. I was following a Facebook group this weekend where this was a big topic.

People want to know if microchipping is safe, if it will hurt their pets, is it worth doing?

Without a doubt, it is. There's ample evidence that done right, microchipping works. Pets have been found years after they disappeared. And it doesn't hurt your pet. It doesn't require surgery, it's just an injection. But there are some things you need to consider.

DO make sure your pet's microchip is registered. There are many places where you can get the microchip registered, but different shelters use different chips and registries. And did you know you can register your pet's chip in more than one registry? Some charge, some don't.

DO make sure to keep your contact information up to date. Did you move? Did you split up with your significant other? Did you change your phone number? It's important to keep the microchip up to date. If you don't, a shelter won't be able to find you if they have your dog.

DO make sure your pet's microchip number will be found. There are many databases, but some participate in a universal database that animal shelters and vets can access. This makes it easier for your pet's chip number to be found. That's the AAHA’s Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. These microchip registries take part in the lookup tool:

• AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR)    
• EIDAP  
• Found Animals 
• HomeAgain (includes Banfield chips)  
• InfoPet 
• Microchip I.D. Systems
• PetKey 
• PetLink    
• Save This Life   
• SmartTag Microchip   

DO consider cancer risk. I want to make it clear: there's no conclusive evidence yet that the microchip causes cancer. Testing done on rodents shows cancer at the injection site. Dogs and cats have a different biological makeup than rodents. Any instances where it might be connected appear to be rare.

The microchip is only activated when its scanned. Otherwise it lets off no radiation. And it's not a tracker or a GPS. All it does is store the registry number for scanning purposes. But should there be a risk, it is something you should consider. But is the risk worth the benefits? I think so.

DO get your pet's chip checked yearly. Your vet can scan the microchip during your annual visit. This will help make sure the chip hasn't moved (which can happen with the older chips especially) and that it's still scanning right.


DON'T implant two microchips without good reason. If you have two microchips, it doesn't hurt the pet. However, most people don't realize that a pet might have two microchips. So whichever one the scanner picks up first is the microchip number they will look up. So if you don't have information updated for both chips, you may not get your pet back.

One of the first things I did was get Jasmine her own tag.

DON'T ditch the collar tag. Just because you have a microchip doesn't mean you should get rid of the good old fashioned collar tag. There is always a chance the microchip will fail or can't be found. If your pet still has their tag with contact info, you will still find the pet.

DO consider other forms of identification. The more forms of identification you have for your pet, the better than chance you will find them again. For instance, Lulu has a collar with a QR code plate. Anyone with a red laser app on their phone (which everyone should have, by the way) can access the information via PetHub.com. PawsPrintsID is another QR code database.

Lulu's QR tag from Pet Hub. As you can see, it's a plate on her collar.

But there are other ways too. There's Tagg, which is a GPS collar. 

And now, there's a growing number of programs that involve facial recognition. There's the PiP App. You take a picture of your pet, and if the pet becomes lost, you activate an Amber Alert system. Finding Rover is the same kind of program.

August 15 is Check the Chip Day. Be sure to check out the American Veterinary Medical Association's website for more information and FAQs about microchips.

VIDEO: 5 things pet moms want for Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day weekend!

Do you have kids at home (the two-legged, non-furry kind)? If you're like me and you only have the furry kind, I think you deserve a little Mother's Day love.

Hey Galadriel? What did you get Mom for Mother's Day?

But what does that mean? If you live with someone, there better be a day off from doing pet chores!

1.  Someone to pick up the poop (I still want to walk Lulu, I just want someone to come up behind me with the poop bags).
2. Someone to feed the pets. There's a lot bending down and picking up and I don't like how canned food smells.
3. Clean the cat pan before I wake up. I want to wake up to a fresh smelling pan!
4. Wash the dog! Nothing like a clean doggy.
5. Day off from the rest of the chores so I can sit and enjoy my pets.

My cute and august presence isn't enough?

But I don't live with someone. So I was thinking of what I want for Mother's Day. Here's 5 things I want from Lulu and Galadriel:

1. Try not to jump in any mud puddles or roll in any dirt, Lulu.
2. Galadriel -- stop being a messy eater -- and a messy litter box user.
3. Lulu, stop picking up stray items on our walk -- especially food!
4. Galadriel, please stop clawing the new couch.
5. And both of you -- be prepared for lots of love when I get home from BlogPaws.

You know what I want? My Mom to come home from BlogPaws!

I know this is kind of small thinking, but it's a starting point. So, what do you want for Mother's Day from your pets? I asked some pet bloggers that very question! See what they said, then tell me what you want below.

Lulu's Favorite Things: CritterZone knocks out pet odor *SPONSORED*

CritterZone USA is one of the sponsors of the Lulu's Favorite Things Campaign, which raises money for Harbor House of Central Florida's Paws for Peace Walk. Thanks to the help of companies like CritterZone, we raised $500 for Harbor House. You can continue to help us raise money by going to the Harbor House website.
__________________________________________________________

 I first learned about CritterZone last year at Global Pet Expo. I wrote a review you can read here. 

But keep reading below to find out how to get a coupon for $10 off one of these marvelous little units.

What is CritterZone? It's a teeny tiny machine that it amazing at neutralizing odors in the room. It can purify the air in a room up to 800 square feet in size, not just for pet odors, but for allergens, bacteria,  mold, and other awful smells.

CritterZone says the machine creates a continual charged plasma flow that cleans the air. It energizes the air like what you'd find outside. It does emit a very faint ozone smell, but the unit's emission is below the FDA standard of .05 ppm.

One cool thing the CritterZone can do is help remove the odor from pet accidents from carpet. The full instructions are on the CritterZone website, but basically after you clean the spot, place the CritterZone unit about six inches away and turn it on. Leave it for about half an hour to an hour.

Check out this great video from CritterZone via YouTube. I saw this demonstration firsthand at Global Pet Expo last year. CritterZone literally took the ammonia smell out of ammonia. This is great if you're trying to get animals to stop marking territory, or if you have a multi-cat household and controlling the litter box odor is an issue.



I wish I could show you the CritterZone ammonia test myself at home. I can't. I BROKE MY UNIT!

One thing that is really important with the CritterZone is to clean the unit. Over time little crystals can build up, and that can stop your unit from working. To clean it, you simply unscrew the back and brush the crystals off. Well I left my unit too long, and needless to say I burned it out. :(

But it does work amazingly well.

CritterZone has a corded unit for the house, a wall plug-in unit for the house, and a portable pack with a car adapter. All of these units can be purchased on the CritterZone website. 

A standard unit costs $99, still cheaper than buying one of the big units through a place like Sharper Image. And it has no filter to replace. If you take care of it, it will last a while. 

AND, if you use the code "lifewithbeagle" when you buy your CritterZone on the website, you get $10 off.


CritterZone also has a great blog where they offer pet tips and tricks for the home, plus news on their latest charitable works. Check out the post about Lulu's Favorite Things!

And follow them on Facebook and Pinterest for more great pet info:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CritterZone

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/critterzoneusa/

The fine print: This post is sponsored by CritterZone USA. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about CritterZone, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. CritterZone is not responsible for the content of this article.

How to move a dog and cat into a new home: Lessons learned

Here's the house! We're in! (well almost. A little bit left to do in the apartment)

For the last few weeks I've been moving into this house because no matter what I do I never seem to be ready for a "moving day."

Of course, that means the pets always know something is up ahead of time.

Spring is selling season, so that people can move in summer (why anyone would want to move in summer in Florida, I don't know). This is what the realtors tell me.

So if you are planning a move, here's some things to consider:

Before you move

• Start slow if you can. Pack ahead of time, a couple boxes a day. A lot of stuff at once can stress your pets out.
• If your pet needs to travel in a crate or carrier and doesn't normally travel, you might want to get them acclimated to the crate. Put something soft inside that they like.  Maybe some food. Let them sniff and get comfortable. This one I didn't do with Galadriel. It's always a mistake not to do that.
• Give them lots of attention during this time. Let them feel like nothing bad is going to happen to them. Also, try to stick to their routine as much as possible.
• And... if you get the place ahead of time, bring them over if you can. Let them sniff around. I let Lulu sniff around the house and even the pool.

Intrigued but not interested in going for a swim.

During the move

Assuming you have a proper moving day:

• Put your pet in a safe place with things they like. Lulu and Galadriel went in my bathroom and they had some of their favorite toys and things. 
• Don't let them out unless you are ready to go. You don't want them to accidentally get out.
• Bring them with you. Try not to leave them in an empty space alone overnight, even if they have everything they need. You've taken away their things and changed their home, and you are not there. 
• Once you're in the new place, have a safe spot for them to stay while you are moving things in.

 After the move

Lulu enjoys her Fozzie Bear in the living room, as Galadriel looks on.

 Getting acclimated to new surroundings is not the only thing pets need to do in a new home. It can also mean a change in routine.

• New places to poop. Lulu's backyard isn't quite ready to let her loose (in fact I discovered a gap in the fencing the first day we were in the house. So did Lulu. She almost went on an adventure).
  
  Now, if you can get your dog to just walk outside and use the bathroom, you are a lucky person. Lulu doesn't do that. Lulu has to sniff everything. I have never been able to get her to just poop and go.  So it requires patience, and taking a little time. But it may also involve accidents.
• Let them explore -- under supervision. Lulu and Galadriel are loving their new space. They are exploring the pool area, the garage, all the rooms. But I don't let them explore all day long. Lulu and Galadriel have their own places in the house, places I don't mind getting messed up. I've got a big fence that keeps Lulu from certain parts of the house when I'm not there. I'd rather she poop on tile than carpet.
• Let them get comfortable. They are in a strange place, just like you. They are learning new things. Give them the attention you usually give them, and they will flourish.

Galadriel sunbathes in the pool area.

For more tips, check out this article from ASPCA, or this one from AARP.

Global Pet Expo: 8 pet-friendly Orlando spots to experience

Global Pet Expo is next week!

Lulu at Global Pet Expo last year.

For those who don't know, Global Pet Expo is like Fashion Week or Consumer Electronics Show for the pet world. People from all over the world will be in Orlando, looking at products both new and classic, everything from dog bowls to fish tanks to cat condos.

Last year, the expo was three football fields long. By the end of the day, this was Lulu.

The expo is, sadly, not open to the public. So all next week I will be showing some of the neat things I find at the expo. Make sure you are watching the blog, or that you follow me on Twitter @lifewithbeagle, or on my Facebook page. I may also try to do some Vine or Instagram stuff, so stay tuned!

If you're in town for Global, or if you plan on visiting Orlando with your pet soon, please check out some of these great pet-friendly spots. We are a great community for pets.

1) Woof Gang Bakery -- Though the first store opened in South Florida, the company is actually based in Orlando. Woof Gang is a boutique offering high-quality pet food, pet gear, fresh baked cookies and sometimes more -- grooming, day care, even a medical clinic. The stores are each individually owned. There are two not far from the tourist zone, but we have them all over Orlando.

And they are not the only pet bakeries in Orlando. Also check out Bark Avenue Bakery on Sand Lake Road or Pookie's on Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park, to name a few.

2) Orlando's dog parks -- Like a place where dogs can run and play? Orange County, Florida is home to eight dog parks run by the county, plus Fleet Peeples Park in Winter Park. My personal favorites are Dr. Phillips Park, near Disney, and Barber Park, which is near Orlando International Airport.

Dr. Phillips Park is small, but the other dog owners are friendly. I rarely see problems at the park. It;s also well kept.

Barber Park is slightly bigger, and it has agility equipment for dogs to tryout. 

Both have separate areas for small and large dogs, doggy water fountains, and places for humans.

3) Park Avenue, Winter Park -- The city of Winter Park is not too far from Orlando, and Park Avenue is the downtown area.  While dogs are not allowed in Central Park, they are welcome to walk around the street on a leash, drink from outdoor water bowls, sit with their owners in outdoor cafes and even enter the stores. As long as your dog is well-behaved, they are welcome. There is also The Doggie Door, a shop for pets and their dog lovers, with treats, toys, clothes and pet lover items like clothes, games and household items.

Dogs are welcome at some of the festivals, farmers markets and parades throughout the year. There are two big dog events on Park Avenue as well -- the Doggy Art Show, and the Halloween Costume Parade.

4) Dog-friendly dining -- While we are talking outside cafes, Orlando was actually the pilot city for dog-friendly dining in Florida. We have lots of restaurants who welcome dogs on their patios. It's good to ask ahead of time though, because not every patio allows dogs (which to me is silly, but what can you do?).

5) Quantum Leap Winery -- You won't find a vineyard growing Pinot Noir or Chardonnay in Florida. The grapes just can't survive here. However, we do have wineries that bring the grapes to Florida and make their own wine. Quantum Leap does this with an eye towards being as environmentally friendly as possible. Dogs are also welcome in the main wintery show room. You dog may meet owner Jill Ramsier's dog Kaley. And you can try some of her own wine -- Kaley's Rescue Red. Proceeds from the wine's go to benefit SPCA of Central Florida.

Quantum Leap Winery is in Orlando in the Mills 50 area.

6) Mall at Millenia -- This high-end mall may not like me broadcasting this, but you can bring your dog there. Dogs are permitted at the mall in Orlando, provided they remain in a carrier or a stroller. Of course, service dogs are welcome everywhere.

So Lulu will not be going to Mall at Millenia any time soon. However, it makes sense to me that frou-frou dogs are welcome at the frou-frouiest mall in Orlando.

7) Rocky's Retreat -- Get your dog a massage. Rocky's Retreat is a fitness center for dogs, featuring hydrotherapy, massage, Reiki and even aromatherapy. Don't have time to get out to Winter Park? They'd do your dog's massage at your hotel. Call for pricing.

8) Pet-friendly events -- Plan your trip around a pet event! There is always a pet-friendly event going on somewhere in Central Florida each month, from big events like Barktoberfest and Paws in the Park in Orlando, to smaller events like Barks and Brews, Pookie's Rescuefest and the Doggy Derby. That's why I have an Orlando-area pet events calendar.

Have an event you'd like to add to the calendar? Let me know!
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So, what would you like me to focus on at Global Pet Expo? Here's your chance to weigh-in and help me shape my coverage!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Daylight saving time starts: Tough on you, tough on your pet

Daylight saving time starts up again this weekend. Are you excited to lose an hour of sleep? Me neither.

Is it me, or does it get tougher every year? You are dragging behind because you lose that hour.

It never really occurred to me that the time shift might affect dogs. After all, they can't read time.

However, they do have a biological clock that is very in tune. And just because our time changes, doesn't mean that these creatures of habit can change so easily.

Now for Lulu, this may not be a problem. If anything, it may be easier on me because she is usually up an hour before I want to be, so we'll be matched up for a few months. I think she will adjust quite fine (six months from now, not so much).

But not every dog is. Lots of humans need to be up an out of the house in the morning. You may find your dog actually trying to sleep in. So, what to do?

Well the first thing to do is consider where you and your dog have a pretty set routine. Your pet may not want to get up early or is trying to figure out why they need to eat early.

Now is a good time to sort of stagger out feedings and potty breaks, so that the dog gets used to a new feeding and potty time in time for DST on Sunday. Maybe on Saturday do things a little early, then the next day and the next day. It will let your pet gradually get used to the schedule change.

Another thing -- your pet may get stressed.Watch for those telltale stress signs. Lulu, for instance, scratches more. Watch for your dog's telltale signs and help them out. Those could especially happen if you leave the house to run routine errands, like going to work or church.

It might take a few days for pets to get used to the change, so go easy on them. Stupid daylight saving time is tough on everyone.

Also -- don't forget to change your batteries in your smoke detector. Now's a great time to do it.

Celebrate a Florida Christmas with your dog

Sometimes it's really tough to get into Christmas in Florida.

Remember in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York when Kevin's Mom tells him he can decorate a palm tree. THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT HERE!

Christmas isn't really about the cold, but if you grew up in New York (like I did) and are used to that kind of Christmas, Florida is not the same. Lulu doesn't get to play in snow. There's no need for doggy jackets, really. The flora and fauna are different.

You can do things in Florida that you can't do up north. Which is weird, but if you embrace it, it's also kind of neat.

Here's how you celebrate Christmas in Florida with your dog!

FIRST, a little fashion --

GET YOUR DOG A GUAYABERA

The guayabera is a very traditional four-pocketed shirt worn among Hispanic and Caribbean communities for hundreds of years.

Some independent designers have created ones for dogs. You can buy one off IndieShop, for instance. Then pair it with a Santa hat (because Santa hats are non-negotiable no matter how hot it is).

Of course you could also always go with a little Tommy Bahama. That works too.

GO SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Residential Christmas Display in Miami.

Yeah, I know, you've got Christmas lights in up north. But I PROMISE you, it's not like we have them down here. According to the Florida Retail Federation, Floridians spent $800 million on Christmas decorations in 2012. Americans in general spend around $6 billion on decorations. Do the math.

Maybe we don't spend the most, but we spend a lot. Especially on outdoors stuff. We don't have to worry about snow. We build CRAZY Christmas displays, with large moving things, and garage displays. We decorate cars and planes and boats. Neighbors get together and coordinate their displays so You have street after street of Christmas lights.

Take a look at these neighborhood displays in the Tampa Bay area alone.

Looking for Christmas lights by you? Check out this website for locations.

BOAT PARADES

A boat at the Jingle Eve Boat Parade in Orlando.

Lots of Floridians have boats, and there's no ice to worry about. It's not uncommon to see boats all dressed up for the holidays. And in Florida you can always find a boat parade nearby during the holidays. Find a boat for you and your dog to ride in, or watch from the shores.

PLAY IN THE "SNOW"

That is "snow" on the ground in Celebration, Florida. Every year "snow" falls in the town center at Christmas. Your dog can visit, if they stay on the sidewalk.

It's not real snow. It's a foamy substance that mimics snow. Lots of places in Florida try to recreate that classic Christmas feel with fake snow. Some places do let the dogs play in it. Some of the fake snow substances are safe for dogs to be in, though they probably shouldn't eat it.

If I were you though, I would make sure the dog uses the bathroom beforehand. Snow being a rare commodity in Florida, the yellow variety is definitely frowned upon.

GO TO KEY WEST

Key West is very pet-friendly, and every year they have a big holiday fest. There's lights, historic house tours, parades, concerts and more. Bring your pet for the tours, and even get their picture taken with Santa on select nights.

GO TO THE BEACH

It's awful. It's warm enough to go to the beach. And people do it. There are surfing Santas and eveything.

Lots of beaches allow dogs (mostly leashed). One is Smyrna Dunes Beach in New Smyrna Beach. Head to the beach for the day, then check out Christmas on Canal Street in NSB. The city is very pet-friendly.

Here's just a few ideas. You can find more at The New Barker magazine, which I write for from time to time.

Before I go, here's a warning --

FIREWORKS

Yes, those big flashy, noisy things that are meant for July Fourth come out at Christmas time in Florida (New Year's too). So remember all the tips about helping your dog through the fireworks.

PLEASE SHARE: Do you have any great "Florida Christmas" ideas? Comment below.

Be the change: Help for pets in the Philippines

Skipping Beagle of the Week this week to ask for help for those affected in the Philippines.

First a quick update on Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda).

This infographic is from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

The storm was clearly devastating. International efforts are being coordinated to help bring relief.

And groups are on their way to the Philippines to help the animals as well.

That's where you come in. World Vets is looking for donations as it tries to help the animals hurt or displaced by the storm.

Dr. Jessica Voglesang from the website Pawcurious is helping with the efforts. Read what she said:

If you’re wondering why the media hasn’t been more active covering the story than they have been, it’s because everyone is still trying to get there. It is BAD. Bad, bad, awful, nightmarish. My heart goes out to those many souls and I will, as always, make a donation to the Red Cross to help the human victims.

The plight of the animals, domestic and wildlife, will almost certainly be overshadowed by the massive human suffering, but make no mistake, they are in dire need as well and even less likely to get it. I view animal welfare in a disaster as one more necessary component of disaster relief, not something to do later or when all the other needs are met, but in conjunction with other efforts. This is why there are veterinarians and animal welfare organizations who are trained for these sorts of situations. As always, World Vets has stepped up to help our friends across the world. After speaking with our contacts in the Philippines, World Vets is sending a team with requested immediate supplies and is on their way now. Once they have arrive, World Vets has committed to continuing support as the needs evolve. This will not be a short-term mission.

 This gives you a better idea of what your donation will go to:

 

I've added a link to donate on my blog on the right. Please consider helping.

Canine diabetes and obesity: Not connected, but still a danger

All this month we are observing National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month. We are examining different aspects of the disease in both cats and dogs. See our stories so far, and enter our giveaway.

As the experts we've talked to have said before, obesity so far does not have a direct link to canine diabetes. In cats there is a direct link, but not in dogs.

However, that doesn't mean that poor diet and lack of exercise can't be a problem for dogs, especially once they get diabetes.

So to talk about obesity, I've enlisted the help of Steve Pelletier, founder of Slim Doggy. He's an expert in the field of pet obesity, and how to whip your pup into shape. He graciously wrote this guest post for us.

Canine Obesity:  We are killing our dogs and paying a lot of money to do so.

Yes, you read that headline right.  Having a fat pet is costly:

•  To the dog’s lifespan: lean dogs will live on average almost two years longer than their fat littermates.  They will also have a more active and higher quality of life.
• To the owner’s wallet: owners of fat pets are spending a lot of money that they might otherwise not spend if their pet was fit and slim.  In the U.S. alone, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, there are about 37 million overweight dogs.  We estimate that the owners of these overweight dogs are spending somewhere near $8 billion dollars each year, on extra food, medical care, and medicines, all because they have fat pets.

A Human Problem

Pet obesity is actually a human problem, not a pet problem.  Most dogs (and cats) that I know do not have opposable thumbs to open the fridge and serve themselves.  Nor do they go shopping for their own food.  It is the human who controls the quantity and quality of their food.  We are the stewards of our pet’s health and heretofore, we are failing them.

Obesity is arguably the biggest health threat to our pets, yet, it is entirely, and easily preventable in most cases.   There are many health related problems that are a direct result from your dog being fat including:

• Shorter life
• Arthritis and other orthopedic problems
• High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

That is a scary list, and I don’t know a single pet owner who would feel good about themselves if they were to unwittingly facilitate the development of such conditions by letting their pet become overweight.

Canine Obesity and Diabetes Linkage

You might notice that diabetes was not on the list of health problems related to having an overweight dog.  Unlike with cats, who are prone to type II diabetes, there is no evidence that supports the notion that type II diabetes occurs in dogs or that obesity is a risk factor to this disease[1].   

For some background, diabetes is classified as either type I, caused by an inability for the body to produce insulin, or type II, impaired insulin production along with an inadequate response to the insulin hormone.  Type II diabetes is directly linked to obesity in both humans and cats (but not dogs) and the treatment protocol centers around weight reduction.  Read our recent article “Exercise and Canine Diabetes” for more information on canine diabetes and suggestions on how to properly feed and exercise a dog with diabetes.

Despite the fact that there is no linkage between canine diabetes and obesity, it is still very important to keep your pet fit and slim, for all of the reasons listed above.    Below are some of our top tips to help you keep your pet at a healthy weight.

Courtesy Robin Zebrowski via Flickr Creative Commons

 5 Tips to Help Keep Your Dog Fit and Slim 

1.       Provide proper exercise for your dog.  Dogs need exercise!  They thrive on it.  Putting your dog out in the back yard does not count either.  They need 30 minutes or more each day of vigorous exercise depending on their age, breed, and medical history.  They will feel and look better.  So will you!  And don’t let excuses get in the way.  Winter weather?  No problem.  Use a dog treadmill, try alternative exercise like core and balance training using balance cushions and wobble boards, or simply bundle up and get outside.

2.       Determine your dog’s daily calorie requirement to achieve or maintain their ideal weight.  Most people have no idea how many calories they should be feeding their dog, given their dog’s age, weight, and activity level.   Our SlimdoggyiPhone app was created to supply this information.  Note that the more active your dog is, the more you can feed them.  If you exercise your dog more on the weekends, they can be fed differently than on the weekdays!

3.       Measure, measure and measure.   It is crucial to accurately measure how much you feed to make sure you stay within your dogs daily target range.  Use a measuring cup.  If you are a ‘high-tech’ person, or are not at home for long periods of time, there are actually some pretty amazing technologies and devices being created to help with the measurement problem.  PetNet.io (formerly PintoFeed.com) is one company that is building an intelligent pet feeder that will help people address the overfeeding issue.

4.       Account for treats.  We all love giving or dog’s treats and table scraps and there is nothing wrong with it.  You simply have to account for those calories and adjust your regular feedings accordingly.  It helps to know the calorie content of the dog foods and treats you use—another benefit of using the SlimDoggy app.

5.       Learn to read dog food labels.  Your pet’s overall health is greatly impacted by both “how much” and “what” you feed your dog.  Spend some time examining your dog food labels and learn to spot healthy and unhealthy ingredients.   Use your analysis to buy the best food possible given your budget.  For more tips on how to read a food label, go to slimdoggy.com and search on food.

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[1] Canine and Feline Diabetes Mellitus: Nature or Nurture? Jacquie S. Rand2, Linda M. Fleeman,  Heidi A. Farrow,  Delisa J. Appleton, and Rose Lederer, 2004

Thanks Steve.

On Saturday, we will talk about obesity in cats and the link to feline diabetes.

In the meantime, check out our previous stories, and be sure to enter our GIVEAWAY!

POSTS

• Post 1 -- Pets get diabetes too 
• Post 2  -- Diabetes in dogs and cats: Wading through the science
• Post 3 -- Living with a diabetic dog: Meet KC the cairn terrier
• Post 4 --  Products to make life easier for diabetic pets PLUS a GIVEAWAY