Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow ~ The end of summer can leave us all feeling a little blue, and pets are no exception. Like all of us, pets can quickly become adjusted to a summer schedule and a routine where someone is always around. Unfortunately after summer, the extended vacations wind down, kids go back to school and the extra attention pets get during the summer comes to an end. This abrupt change in their summer schedules can lead to separation anxiety in dogs and cats which can be expressed on their part in a number of ways.
Pets quickly take notice of cues the family may give such as putting on shoes or getting a backpack ready before going out the door. Often times these cues will cause a pet to act out excitedly by barking, jumping and displaying other anxious behaviors. These are all signs of the pending separation anxiety your pet is feeling.
Signs of Separation Anxiety ~ Your pet can display separation anxiety in other ways, too. If you notice an increased number of ‘accidents’ in the home, increased howling or barking, or even trying to escape the home or yard, this may be your pet’s way of displaying that it’s having a rough time adjusting to the new family schedule.
While pet parents are aware their pet may be feeling anxious about their absence, many might not be aware of the things that can help to put their pets at ease.
What You Can Do to Help ~ One great exercise a family can do is to adjust their pets to the new schedule gradually. For instance, in the first couple of weeks leading up to a drastic schedule change, a family can help the pet adjust by leaving the home for short amounts of time, then gradually lengthening that time away. This way your pet can get used to the idea that everybody will be gone, but still be reassured of their return.
When it comes to leaving the house, a short goodbye is always better than a drawn out process. It is a good idea to have everything you need ready by the door and when it comes time to leave, just grab everything and go. If you spend time feeling bad about leaving the pet, it can increase their anxiety levels and make your leaving harder on them. By keeping things brief and upbeat, your pet will get the message that leaving isn’t a big deal and they can better look forward to the family’s return. You can even keep treats handy by the door to create a positive association with your exit rather than something to be dreaded.
Another great way to ease their anxiety is to leave them something stimulating during their absence. A rubber toy filled with peanut butter and left in the freezer to harden will keep a dog busy for quite a while. You can also leave a number of their favorite toys out to play with while you’re gone. Classical music left on the radio along with soothing scents can also be used to keep your pet’s mind at ease.
And the best way to alleviate symptoms of separation anxiety is to give your pet plenty of exercise. Not only does vigorous exercise release the endorphins that help keep a pet happy and healthy, but tired muscles equal a tired pet, and tired pets are more likely to sleep while you’re away. Exercise and play are great bonding experiences between pets and their parents and the closer the bond between you and your pet, the more likely they are to remain stress and anxiety free during your absence. ♥
Have you noticed that your dog is looking . . . well . . . a little rotund lately? A bit more curvaceous than usual? You’re not alone! Approximately 17 million dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. But just because Fido has lots of company doesn’t mean that he’s in the clear. Extra weight is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight ~ You know your dog better than anyone ~ so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But extra bulk is a bit more difficult to recognize if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over the years. Here are two fail-safe ways to determine if Fido is at the correct weight:
Feel his ribs: Run your hands along his sides toward the tail, feeling for his ribs. If you can find them beneath a thin layer of flesh, he is probably at the correct weight. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, he is likely overweight.
View him from the top and side: A visual inspection of your dog’s body is also important. Look at his body from above. Does he have an hourglass shape, with a slight narrowing behind the rib cage? Also, view the lines of his body from the side. Does his stomach tuck up behind the rib cage? If the answer to both questions is yes, he’s likely at the correct weight. If his body has no definition from above or from the side, he is probably overweight.
What to do if Your Dog is Overweight:
Take him to the vet: Have a vet examine your dog just to make sure that he isn’t experiencing a health problem. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing’s disease, can cause rapid weight gain.
Cut back on meals: It’s quite possible that you’re feeding Fido too much at mealtimes. Often the serving size on commercial dog food labels advises a larger portion than is necessary for an individual dog. Every dog is different, and every dog also metabolizes food differently. With this in mind, start out with the recommended serving size but observe your dog carefully. If he looks like he’s gaining weight, slowly cut back on how much you’re feeding; if he appears to be losing weight, feed slightly more until he’s at the recommended weight for his breed. Then simply maintain the portion size that works for your dog. You may also want to try feeding a quality, premium Weight Loss Formula for Adult Dogs!
Feed him on a schedule: Dogs who are “free-fed” ~ given access to their food bowls all day ~ are more likely to be overweight than those who eat on a regular schedule. To help keep Fido healthy, schedule his meals at consistent times and take his food bowl away after 10 to 15 minutes.
Provide healthy treats: Supplement correctly portioned meals with healthy, low-calorie treats, such as cut-up veggies, plain popcorn, or other healthy treats. Make sure that you account for the calories in treats when feeding your dog his meals ~ these should be subtracted from his total caloric allowance for the day. For healthy, natural, never recalled wholesome treats, try Wholesome Hearts Baked Low-Fat Treats for Dogs.
Exercise him: Of course, any diet plan should be accompanied by the proper amount of exercise. Keep your dog active by making sure that he gets a few daily walks and multiple lively play periods ~ but work up to this gradually. An overweight dog won’t be able to sustain this kind of energy level overnight.
Continue to assess your dog’s progress on a monthly basis to be sure that he’s at a healthy weight, and maintain, maintain, maintain when he has reached his goal! A nutritious diet, meals fed on a regular schedule, and exercise will add years to his life. ♥
