How to Celebrate National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

By | October 8, 2021

We are happier and healthier when we have pets. According to research pets have been shown to lower blood pressure and stress, improve movement, and help us make new friends of both canine and human varieties 

Do we extend the same courtesy to them? Or are we harming our dogs by giving them too much food and not enough exercise? Do you know whether your dog is at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese?

Pet Obesity Day

All of these are valid points to consider on National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, which is marked on the second Wednesday of October. The annual pet health awareness day serves as a reminder that obesity is a serious problem for both our dogs and ourselves. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what constitutes a healthy weight for our canine companions and how to assist them in maintaining — or regaining — an appropriate weight and body condition score (BCS).

National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is also a day on which participating veterinarian clinics around the country collect basic information about the weight and bodily condition of every dog and cat over the age of one year who is given a standard physical exam. The purpose is to collect data that will assist veterinary healthcare practitioners in better understanding the situation of pet obesity in the United States. While it may not be a particularly enjoyable “holiday” (those days are approaching!), there are some entertaining as well as serious activities you and your dog may participate in to commemorate the occasion.

Determine Whether Or Not Your Pet Requires Assistance

There are various techniques to determine whether or not your pet needs a restricted diet. One of the simplest is to use the APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention) resources, which include simple at-home body condition exams. We may not even notice when our pets get overweight, so it’s critical to understand when it becomes a medical issue.

Participate In The Survey

Every year on National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, APOP organizes a poll to collect data from across the country. This data is then utilized to provide a snapshot of the situation of pet obesity and aid in the development of a plan to combat it. By participating in the survey, you are helping address this difficult issue.

Go For A Walk With Your Dog Or To The Dog Park

Make today the day to take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood if you’ve been putting it off. Allow it to romp, smell, and run if given the opportunity. Or, even better, take it to the local dog park, where it may socialize with other dogs and run off-leash for long periods of time.

Stop Excessive Feeding And Start Giving Measured Meals

When fed free choice, some dogs will only eat what they need — the practice of keeping your dog’s food bowl filled at all times. Other dogs, on the other hand, will eat everything in the bowl before scavenging for more. Without a doubt, excessive feeding can result in some very overweight pets!

To effectively regulate your dog’s weight, feed him or her measured servings of food twice a day, using a measuring cup or food scale. You can use the feeding guidance on the dog food bag to estimate how much to feed, or you can ask your veterinarian to calculate your dog’s energy requirements and the right amount of food.

So, to commemorate National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, make a commitment to your dog’s health. Your dog does not have to join the ranks of the overweight and obese canines. Keep an eye out on your pet’s diet and add some more years to his or her healthy life.

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