American men and women are experiencing an obesity problem and their dogs and cats are, unfortunately, following their lead. According to the AVMA approximately 25% of pets are overweight. This is due to three main problems. Firstly, people tend to be less active, spending more and more time in front of the TV and their computers which means their companions have far fewer opportunities to be active. Since so many people tend to work long hours leaving their pets at home alone one of the ways people alleviate their guilt is by indulging their pets with too much food. Also, animal lovers seem to have misconceptions about what is a healthy physique for their pets. Some breeds are particularly prone to obesity. These include Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzus and Dachshunds. Unfortunately, some of these breeds are already susceptible to serious health problems such as hip displaysia,.

In the last two years, while working on Animal Planet’s Underdog to Wonderdog I have had the opportunity to spend loads of time with my good friend Ali McLennan. Ali is a respected and talented groomer and I have learned so much from her in regards to this very important part of pet parenting. Ali has tackled some serious grooming issues and has kindly offered to share some of her experiences and tips with us here. To follow are some tips from her about dematting a dog. Mats are those nasty, knot like bits of fur which develop without proper maintenance grooming (i.e. brushing) which can collect dirt and cause pain as they pull at the dog’s skin. Some dogs, like Bo, a little Poodle from Underdog to Wonderdog, are more prone to matting than other dogs. But, even responsible pet parents, who groom regularly may find that a small.

My little dog Nora and I were spending the day working at Animal Haven Shelter (OK, I was working and she was romping around interspersed with periods of lounging), when I decided to take a break and spend a bit of time on grooming her. She likes to stick with the scruffy, little terrier look, so I focused on a bath and trimming her nails. As Nora sat in front of me on the floor of the grooming room and daintily held her paw out for me, one of the shelter volunteers commented on how calm she was about having her nails clipped, “She almost seems to like it!,” she exlaimed. While this would be a moment that would make any pet parent (especially a pet parent who is also a dog trainer) proud, I felt I had to be honest and point out that while Nora is about as.

The lifespan of a dog can vary widely due to genetics, but also due to the care they receive throughout their lives. To follow are some simple steps you can take to help ensure your canine companion is with you as long as possible: 1. Maintain an appropriate weight by providing a high quality food of the appropriate amount in addition to adequate and appropriate exercise. Unfortunately, it seems that there is a serious pet obesity problem in America due to the same factors that contribute to human obesity – a high calorie intake, and too little exercise. Many pet parents equate food with love. In fact, most dogs would be as happy, if not more so, to spend quality time with their family participating in a fun activity such as a nice walk, hike, agility class, or game of fetch. Dogs suffering from obesity are more likely to suffer.