Purdue wellness veterinarian: Include pets in exercise plan
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Pets, like people, should get 30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily, says a Purdue University veterinarian who urges pet owners to include their animal companions in their new year's plans to get more exercise.Lorraine Corriveau, wellness veterinarian in Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine, says 25 percent of dogs and cats are obese.
"Obese dogs have an increased prevalence of heart disease and increased blood pressure," Corriveau says. "Both dogs and cats are at increased risk for diabetes. Other health problems include difficulty breathing, skin problems and joint problems."
Outdoor pets need more calories in the winter to help them stay warm, but Corriveau says indoor pets may require fewer calories because they are less active in the winter months.
A good estimate of what the ideal, or optimal, body weight for a dog or cat is the weight they were when they first reached adulthood. Corriveau says it's important to remember that even within a specific breed of dog, the optimal weight can vary by 25 percent or more.
Corriveau offers these tips to determine if a pet is overweight:
• Does the pet have a waistline when looking at them from above?
• Does the pet's belly tuck upwards or does it sag and/or wobble side
to side?
• Can you easily feel the pet's ribs?
"Consult with a veterinarian to find the correct weight-management program for your pet and for tips on how to get more exercise," Corriveau says. "Treadmills are trendy for people and pets, but people should carefully research how to exercise your pet correctly on these machines so you don't cause injury to you or your pet."
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Lorraine Corriveau, (765) 494-7789, corrivea@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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