Your pets are as precious to you as your children are. To some people they are the only children that they have so you need to take care of them at all times. One of the most important ways to help maintain your pet's health is watching what he/she is eating. You need to watch their calories and even count them if needed. Just like humans too much calories throughout the day will result in weight gain.



Everyone including animals have a recommended daily intake of calories. The body uses calories for energy but going over the calories makes the body store them as fat cells. It is easier in humans to pinpoint a daily calorie allowance according to height and weight for that height. A good average for a middle sized dog is about 700 calories per day. To be safe though speak with you veterinarian about the amount of calories your animal should take in according to their size.

Once you start paying attention to your pet's calories you will see that on the packaging of certain foods the suggested calories are printed on the labels. These foods that put this calorie intake on the packaging are often the healthiest food to feed them. Strive to meet your pet's calorie intake and if they are overweight then feed them less than the caloric amount to start the weight loss process.

When your body or an animal's body takes in too much food, the extra food is stored as a fat in the tissues of the body. When there is not enough food the body will then start to use the stored fat to help it get through and thus weight loss begins.

Why is weight loss or maintaining the right weight just as important as it is in humans? The heart is just as fragile in animals as it is in the human body. When there is excess fat stored around the heart it causes pressure on the lungs which then makes it hard to breathe. The arteries begin to get clogged which slows the blood flow to the heart and causes heart attacks. One of the most common medical conditions is obesity among dogs and cats. Pets who are dealing with an overweight problem will also have a greater chance at tearing ligaments, wearing down their joints and causing arthritis.

Since pets weigh much less than humans an extra pound will make a big difference. You really need to keep an eye on your pets weight at all times. Keep a daily routine on their exercise and diet throughout their lives. Weight gain can be attributed to low activity which causes lower metabolism levels. Another obvious reason for weight gain is way too many treats.

Feeding your dog treats is very hard not to do so buy low caloric treats. Your dog may even enjoy treats such as peanut butter crackers, apples or popcorn. If it is a hot summer day then freeze some crystal light and give them a flavored ice cube.

Dog and cat treats are widely available at pet food and grocery stores. It is important to consider your pet's entire daily caloric intake, no matter what type of treat you give him. Therefore, you should not add treats to his daily food allotment, but rather substitute treats for a small portion of your pet's food. An easy way to do this is to take a few pieces of dry food from one of your pet's meals and give them as treats. Never ever give your pet table scraps. People food usually has higher fat content as well as salt and other ingredients that your pet does not need and will cause weight gain. People food will also cause indigestion and diarrhea.

At home you can watch your pet's weight by feeling her ribs. Place your fingers on the side of her rib cage and press in gently. If you can easily feel your pet's ribs then chances are she is probably not overweight, but if you have to press against her sides to feel her ribs then you may need to start watching her caloric intake a little harder. You should also be able to spot your pet's waist. Their body should become more slender as you look from the end of the ribs to the hindquarters.

As with humans, animals need exercise to go along with watching their calories. This can be a great bonding time with you and your animal. Whether it is playing with your cat, walking your dog or riding your horse exercise is good for you and them so do it together.