Showing posts with label caring for your overweight pet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caring for your overweight pet. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Tips to Keep Your Canine Fit and Healthy!

Did you know that roughly 53 percent of pet dogs in the U.S. are overweight? Excess weight can lead to a number of health problems in your dog, and even cut their lifespan short. Sad, but true. Physical fitness and maintaining a healthy body weight is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Since April is Canine Fitness Month, the PetCot Company is sharing some ways to help keep your dog fit and healthy!


Provide a Healthy Balanced Diet

Every dog, just like every human, is different and requires special care and attention to their diet. To determine what type of diet your dog should be on, have a discussion with your veterinarian. They can tell you how much food you should be feeding your dog during mealtimes and recommend what types of foods to feed for your dog's optimal health. Do not free feed! While this may seem like the easiest way to feed your pooch, it can cause weight gain, and makes it harder to keep track of your dog's consumption. Instead, feed your dog 2-3 times per day at the same time each day in measured amounts.

Exercise Your Pooch Regularly

It's easy for an inside dog to get comfortable with laying around all day and become chubby, just as it is for humans. Your dog should be getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, but one to two hours a day is a good average. Not every dog requires vigorous exercise, so take into consideration your dog's age, breed, and overall health when coming up with an exercise routine for your pup. Even if it's just taking your dog for a walk every day, make sure to get out and get your dog the exercise they need to stay healthy.


Ensure Your Pup is Getting Enough Rest

Just like we do, dogs require a good night's sleep for a healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation in dogs can lead to the buildup of stress hormones that can cause aggression and other misbehavior. During deep sleep, a hormone called melatonin is released, which helps to protect cells and improve the immune system. So if your dog isn't getting enough sleep, it can be detrimental to his or her overall well-being. To give your dog the best chance for a great night's sleep, get them a premier raised dog bed to ensure that they sleep comfortably and wake up rested.


While the month of April is almost over, and Canine Fitness Month is coming to a close, the PetCot Company wants to stress the importance of using these tips everyday to enhance your pet's quality of life. As stated previously, a healthy amount of sleep is a crucial part of your dog's health. So make sure your pet is comfortable while sleeping by getting them a premium raised dog bed. Petcot raised dog beds come in three sizes so they work for dogs of all breeds and sizes. We even offer a raised pet bed for dogs with incontinence. Replacement parts, fleece covers, and orthopedic inserts are available as well. Visit our website today to order your PetCot raised dog bed today - and enjoy the many years to come with your healthy happy pooch!

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!

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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Caring for Your Poochy Pet- What You Need to Know About Pet Obesity

While we say that there's just "more of them to love," and it's probably true, pet obesity in the United States is a pretty big issue. It's estimated that 58% of cats and 54% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, and if we don't start making some changes, the statistics are only going to grow. At the PetCot Company, while we primarily care about your pet's ability to rest and relax on a comfortable elevated dog bed, we also care for every other area of their lives as well. That's why we're going to focus on ways to start caring for your overweight pet one pound at a time.


What to Know About Pet Obesity

There are about 80 million pets nationwide that are considered overweight or obese by their veterinarians, but the problem is that the owners consider their weight to be normal. Normally, you would think that obesity would have to do with the weight of your pet, but in really has to do with how much extra fat your pet is storing. Because of that, you really have to evaluate your pet to determine if they are really obese or not.

What Causes Obesity in Pets?

Usually, obesity in pets is caused by excessive food intake and insufficient exercise - much like human obesity. Sometimes it will be more common in older pets because they tend to be less active. You can help fix this, by altering the amount they eat. Don't starve them by any means, but don't provide a bottomless bowl. You base the amount that they eat based on the amount that the weigh, but if they are overweight, you'll have to adjust that. Talk with your pet's care provider to determine a healthy way to manage their weight. You may have to use a special food that is used for weight control, or you may just have to limit the amount you provide for them.

Health Problems Caused By Obesity

You aren't doing your pet any favors by refusing to acknowledge their  weight problem. There are many health issues that can be caused by excess weight, and that will affect not only their quality of life but their life span. Here are just a few of the conditions that can occur from excess weight:
  • Exercise intolerance decreased stamina
  • Respiratory compromise (breathing difficulty)
  • Heat intolerance
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Diabetes or insulin resistance
  • Liver disease or dysfunction
  • Osteoarthritis (lameness)
  • Increased surgical/anesthetic risk
  • Lowered immune system function
  • Increased risk of developing malignant tumors (cancer)

Caring For Your Pet in Every Way


Take the time to understand what causes obesity in pets but also realize that it's important to recognize it before it happens. You aren't doing your pet any favors by ignoring it. At PetCot, we provide a premium elevated dog bed that supports your pet's joints, whether they are struggling with obesity, or they are an extremely active dog who just need a good place to relax. Are you looking for a raised dog bed that supports your pet in every stage of life? Visit our website and choose the pet bed that you won't have to replace month after month - because it lasts.

Taking Comfort and Care to a New Level for Pets!

Follow ALL Our Social Media Channels!