Dear Emma,
I just took my dog, Max, to the vet and they said he’s too fat! My little Maxy is supposed to lose some weight but how can I say no to his cute face? If he’s asking for food doesn’t that mean he’s hungry? It would be wrong of me to not feed him when he asks right? Please Help! – Jen G.
Our pets know how to get what they want, especially if they’re “food motivated”. You’re having a nice dinner and your furry friend comes over, plops down next to and looks up with those big brown eyes, how can you say no? It’s hard to fight it, but it’s in your pet’s best interest to not be constantly fed extra meals or unnecessary treats. Just like with people, extra weight on animals can lead to health problems. Keeping your pet in a healthy weight class is easy if you follow the recommended feeding instructions for their ideal weight, you can find usually find this on the label or website of the diet you are feeding your pet. If you are preparing your pet’s diet yourself please consult with your veterinarian for proper feeding instructions.
Dear Emma,
My Molly is a sweet 7-month-old scruffy mix, she loves to run around outside and sometimes can get a little dirty. How often should I be giving her baths? – Danny P.
Sometimes our dogs and cats need a little extra help getting squeaky clean, but they shouldn’t be bathed too frequently. Ideally, you should only bathe your dog once a month, frequent baths can cause their skin to dry out and be itchy. For easy messes there are grooming wipes that you can get at your local pet store, these can help quickly rid fur of dirt and grime. When a full bath is needed try to use shampoo and conditioner that moisturizes the skin and stay away from anything too perfumey.