A survey found that 70% of owners admit to giving their dog more table scraps during the holidays than any other time of year.
Wintertime holidays and the tasty snacks that came with them can lead to seasonal weight gain for not only humans, but their dogs too. The cold weather can make it difficult to go on walks and get the regular exercise that dogs regularly require. Be wary — a few extra pounds can really affect your dog’s health.
The American Kennel Club Canine Partners Program offers these tips to help prevent seasonal weight gain in your dog.
Healthy weight
Weigh your dog before winter sets in so you can see what his healthy weight is and monitor it throughout the season. If your dog is below or above their healthy weight, consult with your veterinarian regarding the range your pet should ideally be in.
Calorie counting
Big holiday meals are exciting for everyone, but too many of them can quickly pack on pounds.
People are also reading…
If you still want to give your dog extra treats during the winter, try crunchy vegetables like baby carrots instead of calorie-heavy dog treats.
Look at how much you regularly feed your dog; try cutting down portions by a quarter cup to help maintain your dog’s weight. If they’re still hungry, replacing the missing food with something like canned string beans can help. After about two weeks, you should be able to resume your normal feeding routine.
Too many treats
It can be easy to give your pet a few more treats here and there when you’re celebrating or relaxing at home in the winter, but treats can be packed with calories that lead to weight gain — especially if your dog isn’t getting the same amount of regular exercise. If you still want to give your dog extra treats during the winter, try the dog-safe fruits and vegetables in the list below, instead of calorie-heavy dog treats.
- Carrots, ¼ cup slices, 14 calories
- Asparagus, 3 spears, 10 calories
- Blueberries, 12 berries, 10 calories
- Watermelon, 6 melon balls, 23 calories
- Strawberries, 1 large berry, 6 calories
- Peaches, ½ medium peach, 30 calories
- Zucchini, 1 cup chopped, 20 calories
- Green bell peppers, ¼ cup chopped, 7 calories
- Celery, 1 stalk, 7 calories
- Cucumber, ½ cup slices, 8 calories
- Broccoli, ¼ cup chopped, 7 calories
5 common dog myths and the facts behind them
Sniffing out the truth
There are countless myths about our pets — some so old they have become facts in the eyes of many people. While some of these myths are harmless, many are filled with misinformation about a dog’s care, temperament, behavior and intelligence. Pet owners who act on this misinformation may not be meeting the needs of their dog.
To separate fact from fiction, the American Kennel Club clears up some well-known myths about dogs.
Myth No. 1: A wagging tail means a happy dog
The truth: A wagging tail does not always mean the dog is happy. While a natural, midlevel wagging tail does indicate the dog is content, most other wags indicate the opposite.
A high, stiff wagging tail can be a sign of agitation in the dog, suggesting they are ready to protect something, while a low and quick wag may express the dog is scared and submissive.
Myth No. 2: Dogs age seven years for every human year
The truth: This myth has been around for so long most people see it as a fact. Although dogs do age quicker than humans, the 7:1 ratio is not perfectly accurate.
Dogs age faster when they are younger, and then the aging process slows down as they get older.
The size of the dog also plays a role in the aging process — larger dogs age faster than small dogs.
Myth No. 3: A warm nose indicates sickness
The truth: The idea that a dog in good health should have a cold, wet nose is nothing more than another myth. The temperature of a dog’s nose does not represent health or sickness. Using a thermometer is the only way to accurately measure your dog’s temperature.
Myth No. 4: Old dogs can’t learn new tricks
The truth: You can absolutely teach an older dog new tricks, like how to shake hands, speak or roll over. Keeping the training sessions short and fun while using plenty of positive reinforcement like treats and praise can help make the training process easier.
Myth No. 5: Dogs can’t see in color
The truth: At one point in time, it was believed dogs could only see in black, white and shades of gray. This myth is still believed by many people today. Dogs have fewer color-sensitive cones in their eyes than humans do. However, it has been discovered that although it’s not in the same way as humans, dogs can in fact see color. They can see blue, green-ish yellow and yellow along with various shades of gray.