Happy Spring (again)!

Yippee!  Spring has sprung.  It has taken a little while but looks like we are going to see the grass green up after all.           

This is also the time of year to think about springtime resolutions for fitness and health. With daylight much longer, it gives us all a little extra time to get out with the dog and family after work.  Make the most of it.  Sadly, many of our pets have followed the national human trends toward obesity.  There was a study done recently in dogs that did show that dogs that exercised and ate two meals per day vs. free choice lived longer and were overall healthier!  Take note….exercise and eat smart!

 

I am looking forward to my first triathlon of the season on Mother’s day.  The Spinathon for Diabetes was great.  It is quite sad to think about how many cases of human diabetes can be prevented with proper diet and exercise, yet it is an epidemic in this country. 

Respiratory, heart and arthritis can all be affected by excess weight.  It is also so important to get all family members involved in exercise and weight control issues.  Mia and Amy are so excited for the upcoming triathlon season and are busy playing outside with the dog as well as enjoying the late snow up North. 

Please, for yourself and your family (animal and people),  make a commitment to yourself to exercise a few times a week.  Eat a little bit healthier with some good fruits and vegetables!  Enjoy your new found energy!

Pet Food Recall Update

Hopefully this is the last newsletter about the food recall that started in March.  It appears that the worst is behind us. The most recent recall was earlier this week and was Natural Balance Dog food.  It has been a wake-up call to many about the enormity of the food industry and how little we sometimes know about what goes on our plate and in our pet’s dishes!  Fortunately, many of our clients have been feeding homemade and raw diets as well as many smaller brands that are not the affected brands.

My general recommendations:

• Make sure you read the labels of food for your own awareness about ingredients
• Try to keep variety in your pet’s food.  This may not be possible if your pet has food allergies. ( Signs can include but are not limited to chronic vomiting and or diarrhea, skin and ear problems).  You can rotate through different protein sources every few months by gradually mixing the two together. 
• Keep dry food in sealed containers.
• Know your pet’s habits such as water intake, stool production, energy, appetite.

Our recommendation for local retailers:

• Beverly Wild Bird Seed and Pet Supply
• Curious Creatures

Within limit (I don’t recommend hugely expensive foods), you do get what you pay for.  Just like in people, food can do a wonder for you!