{"id":188,"date":"2023-05-03T10:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T16:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.athomepetdr.com\/blog\/?p=188"},"modified":"2023-05-03T10:00:49","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T16:00:49","slug":"prevent-pet-obesity-with-diet-and-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.athomepetdr.com\/blog\/prevent-pet-obesity-with-diet-and-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevent Pet Obesity With Diet and Exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Bernese<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There are several factors that contribute to weight gain. Primarily, there is an unbalanced ratio of calories taken in versus calories used. Patterns can emerge over time (begging for treats, passing over nutritious\/healthy foods, preferring to spend more time on the couch, etc.) that all play their roles in weight gain. Pet owners have the power to prevent pet obesity with a proper diet and daily exercise. The best part? An active lifestyle and age-appropriate nutrition directly impact quality of life and longevity. Win-win!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Risks of Weight Gain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few extra pounds on a human might be inconvenient, but it can be downright dangerous to a pet\u2019s health. When scaled to human proportions, any extra weight carried by a cat or dog can be extremely harmful. The good news is that health risks can be entirely avoided when methods to prevent pet obesity<\/a> are carefully observed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunate Imbalance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overfeeding is the leading cause of pet obesity, but it is definitely exacerbated by a lack of consistent exercise. This imbalance of too many consumed calories with fewer opportunities to burn them off leads to the body storing the calories as fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prevent pet obesity, it is also necessary to assess your pet\u2019s breed and age. Some pets are genetically predisposed to a heavier build, and others experience pain and arthritis as they age. It may seem counterintuitive, but letting an arthritic pet off the exercise \u201chook\u201d actually has the potential to worsen their symptoms. All pets benefit from daily exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevent Pet Obesity, Promote Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you prevent pet obesity from gaining a foothold, you can guard against the following associated health problems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n