PET PARADE

Where would we be without our fine furr y and feathered friends? We help you make the most of your pet with a spot of animal whispering and all the best in pet news

I t goes without saying that we love our furr y friends, and like to treat them, but if the treats become a little too frequent our furr y chums might be a bit more cuddly than is good for them. No loving owner wants to put their pet at risk but being over weight, just like for us, can lead to health problems for them. It can af fect their quality of life, make them more susceptible to illness and shor ten life span.

Especially with dogs, treats are often used to help with behaviour so you may not want to dispense with them altogether. Don’t worry though, there are healthy alternatives that will do the job just as well. Check out an online pet store or ask your pet for advice.

Look for a guide to the healthy weight for your pet and get them used to being weighed. If they aren’t keen on standing on the scales, simply weigh yourself then pick up your pet, and calculate the difference. If you can’t pick up and hold your pet for any reason, most vets have animal scales they are happy for people to use when they pop in. If weighing your pet is not possible, take a good look at them instead. Tummies shouldn’t sag, limbs and muscles should be well-defined and your pet should be able to move around with ease.

Increasing exercise and making changes to diet should be done gradually for your pet – we couldn’t go from couch potato to marathon runner in a week, and neither can they. Plan step-by-step how you are going to work towards the right amount of healthy meals and treats. And get the whole family on board. You don’t want someone sneaking them naughty treats when your back is turned!