This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but To the Motherhood only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
Lengthening our lifespan and slowing down the inevitable aging process are two things people have been striving for since the dawn of time. Living a healthy lifestyle that is sufficient with proper nutrition and regular exercise are the key components of longevity. They’re also key components for our pets, whom provide us with unconditional love and health benefits (i.e. lowering blood pressure and lessening anxiety) that have been scientifically proven via years of thorough research. That is why it is crucial for us to take their health with the utmost care, compassion, and consideration since our pets are essentially part of us.
This is a common theory that many adhere to, thus passing to their beloved pets. Sadly, more than 50% pets are overweight. Obesity is just as common with pets as it is with humans, making them susceptible to a host health ailments and diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Five extra pounds on a small dog is the equivalent of over 30 extra pounds on a human. Feeding your cat one potato chip is the equivalent of a human eating an entire chocolate bar or half of a hamburger. Giving a Dachshund an ounce of cheddar cheese is the equivalent of a human eating not one, but two and a half hamburgers! These are all startling facts to take into consideration.
Since weight loss can be a challenging feat for even animals, it’s important to us as pet owners to address weight management early on by taking precautionary measures before it becomes a problem. Extra weight for my Maltese, Bali, wouldn’t be feasible at all since they’re known to be diminutive dogs. Their weight becomes a concern if they exceed 7 pounds. 10 pounds is considered acceptable if they’re naturally larger than the breed standard. Food equals love if subscribing your pet to a healthy diet and feeding them in moderation. In addition to ensuring optimal wellness for my dog, I encourage him to be active every day, whether it’s frolicking outdoors (when the temperatures aren’t extreme) or playing with his toys – although not a toy, he loves to get into playful matches with his dog blankie!
Speaking of a healthy diet, the Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Formulas will help your pet achieve and maintain the perfect weight while improving their quality of life! Hill’s® Science Diet® Adult Perfect Weight Small & Toy Breed (available in bag sizes 4lbs and 15lbs), their newest product, is specifically for dogs that weigh 25 lbs and less. It is 100% precisely balanced nutrition and contains prebiotic fibers for gentle digestion. It’s available at your local vet or pet specialty store. It can also be purchased via Pet360.
If your pet is battling with their weight, I encourage you to participate in the Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround Challenge. Studies show that 70% of cats and dogs who were fed Science Diet Perfect Weight lost weight within 10 weeks. Their weight loss success stories can be found here.
My dog is a 9 pounder and he is exactly where he is supposed to be 🙂
I never realized that feeding a dog scraps would be so harmful to them. I gave my dog cheese all the time. Yikes, it’s probably what ended his life :(. I’m looking for a pet and when I find either a dog or cat, I’ll be sure to feed them healthy pet food only.
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I have to give this some serious consideration.. we have a 4 year old pug and they keep telling me she needs a diet.. but all she really has is a cup a day of food.. i think its her genes..
Our dog gets SO much exercise. Mainly because I don’t work right now, and he also joins us weekly for a 6km run! He’s not even tired at the end, and he’s a tiny little dog lol
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Your dog is adorable!! I have a little maltipoo and am thinking about changing her food. I will definitely check out Science Diet!!
Ricci recently posted..Five on Friday
I have three dogs. 2 are just perfect with their weight and my other is very heavy, but I am told because he’s a mix he’s right perfect in range. I am still iffy. I would love to try this!
My little doggy is getting a bit chubby during the winter, it’s been insanely cold and hard to go for long walks!
I know what you mean about it being insanely cold! That’s why I can’t wait for the weather to get warm, so my family, the dog, and I can start going for more walks.
Lesha recently posted..Keeping Fido Fit and Fabulous #PerfectWeight
Lots of people tend to think that the fatter/bigger their fat, the better for them. Little did they know that these pets suffer from obesity too. Great tips you got here.
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AWWW How adorable! We are in the process of wanting to adopt a dog once traveling settles a bit. I know the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for your pets though!
Amby Felix recently posted..Japanese Konjac Sponge Bamboo Charcoal Puff Review
As crazy as it sound, we make our dogs run in cirles in our house. The barking gives me migraine but it is important to give them some workout during the winter.
Chubskulit Rose recently posted..Ahoy Matey, Here Comes the Pirate
It doesn’t sound crazy at all! With the way weather has been lately in some places, it’s important for cats and dogs to stay active even if it’s just indoors.
Lesha recently posted..Keeping Fido Fit and Fabulous #PerfectWeight
What a sweet pup! I am looking to change dog foods so this is helpful.
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I have a cat, Hazel, who is over overweight and I need to get her on a diet. This Science Diet formula sounds perfect for us.
You have an absolutely adorable dog. I’m not a small dog person at all, but he is cute.
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Thank you so much! I honestly wasn’t much a small dog person either, and then he entered our lives. 🙂
Lesha recently posted..Keeping Fido Fit and Fabulous #PerfectWeight
Dog is a cutie. Ours need to be walked more. They get to run around a lot in the yard but soon the weather will turn and they can walk the trails with me.
Digna D. recently posted..The Flintstones and WWE: Stone Age Smackdown Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway
It’s so important to keep your pets healthy. Always a good idea to nourish their bodies with great product.
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He is just sooo cute! It’s so important to give pets plenty of exercise. We want a dog but aren’t sure our small apartment is the best place for one right now.
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My grandmother had dogs she loved like no other, but her and my grandfather did spoil them and they did get overweight. It’s hard to change those habits and you can see them taking their toll on the pets.
Just like people, some dogs only eat when they’re hungry and others will gorge every opportunity they get. We adopted a 10-year-old Chihuahua that is very much over weight. We have to feed him separately with exactly measured amounts. He’s lost 8% of his body weight so far, so we’re on the right track.
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Our dog has a little problem with the other side of weight. In the summer he loses weight a lot. He loves to go outside and play and will make himself so tired that he comes in and goes to sleep, forgetting about eating. I wonder if this would help him keep weight on?
Your furkid is adorable. I have 2 dogs , 1 cat. One big dog who is 9 and one little dog who is 2 , almost 3. We’ve tried Hills for the older one because she has sensitive stomach, but this didn’t work well for her.
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It’s sad but true indeed that 50% of pets are overweight. So I appreciate your post because it reminds us pet owners that we need to do something about that. I own two cats and I am very choosy when it comes to their food. One of my cats is overweight, but fortunately the little one is keeping her active because he chases her around.
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How cute is that doggie?! We don’t have a dog here but it’s so good to know these things.. We do have dogs back in my home country and they’re cute too. 🙂
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My littlest one is growing up a little on the chunky side. I’ll have to start watching her weight and actually find out what her ideal weight is.
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Science Diet is a great dog food. I had a dog once that only ate this brand. He had some health issues and this was the only brand that helped him.
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Keeping the dogs fit is important, changing their dog food is a great idea, managing their weight is important.
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