Seven pet health concerns solved
1. How do I fix my pet's awful breath?
Your pet’s breath will never smell minty fresh, but it shouldn’t reek. Poor oral hygiene increases risks of heart and kidney infections.
Solution: “In an ideal world, you’d brush your pet’s teeth daily,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, an education veterinarian with PetSmart. Aim for at least three times a week with a soft-bristle toothbrush or a piece of gauze. Within two months your pet will get accustomed to it, so don’t get discouraged if the first attempts don’t go smoothly. Starkey recommends cat- and dog-formulated toothpaste, which is better for pets’ digestion because it’s fluoride-free. As for other options when you can’t brush, look for dry foods with “oral health” in the name that have kibble of varying shapes, which help scrape debris off teeth and reduce tartar buildup. Treats, like rawhide and dental chews, are also great for keeping your pet’s mouth fresh.
Top pick: Smartbones Rawhide Dog Bones, $16.
2. My pet is overweight
If a cat or small dog gains two to three pounds or a medium dog gains eight to 10, it’s like a woman putting on 30. “It increases chronic-disease risk,” says Dr. Simon Starkey, an education veterinarian with PetSmart.
Solution: “Start a vet-approved weight-loss plan that includes regular checkups, exercise and high-quality food with less fat and calories,” says Starkey. Look for premium light or lean blends. Dry food should contain no more than 9 percent fat, and wet food no more than 4 percent. “Canned food promotes weight loss, because it’s easier to control how many calories you feed your pet,” says veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. “Overfeeding a small dog by just 10 kibbles a day can lead to an extra pound of weight gain per year.” That said, weight-management kibble is great for pets that don’t like wet food. As counterintuitive as it seems, avoid reducing portion sizes. “This rarely results in weight loss,” says Starkey. “It makes your pet feel hungry more often, which leads to begging, making you feel guilty.”
3. My pet is an overeater
Some dogs and cats are just plain finicky. But if yours suddenly refuses food, check with your vet to rule out a health issue.
Solution: Try different types of bowls (ceramic, metal or glass) to see if your pet responds better to one kind, and use separate ones for food and water. Loud sounds, high-traffic areas and other pets can be overwhelming, so aim to create a calm, quiet space for them to eat. Some cats like schedules, so feed at consistent times. You can also try playing with food texture or temperature. Some dogs love low-sodium broth or warm water mixed in kibble, and some cats prefer food that isn’t served cold. For pets with sensitive stomachs or mild allergy symptoms (like dry, itchy skin), look for grain-free foods with meat proteins like turkey, duck and salmon, or freeze-dried raw pet foods that mirror your pet’s ancestral diet.
4. Is my pet active enough?
Probably not. In fact, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association reports that 55 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats visiting vet offices aren’t getting enough exercise.
Solution: Don’t fall for the “backyard myth,” says Ward. “Just because we let pets outside doesn’t mean they’re running around. Most pets want exercise to be a group activity.”
Cats thrive on a few three- to five-minute play periods each day, says Ward, that challenge them to prey, pounce and hunt. “Laser pointers, remote control toys or food puzzles are great ways to keep them engaged.” For indoor cats, placing their litter box at the bottom of a staircase or far from the main living area helps boost activity. Dogs, on the other hand, need lots of cardio. “Walk briskly at least 10 minutes a day together,” says Starkey. Gradually increase to two or three walks, over longer time periods. Doggy day camps are also a great way to help Fido get fit and integrate play into his routine.
Finally, if you’re curious about your pet’s cardiovascular output, consider an activity monitor like the Whistle, which secures easily to a collar. “It tracks your pet’s movements and sends updates to your smartphone that you can share with your vet.” Bottom Line: Knowing how much your pet moves can help you introduce more activity into his life.
5. How do I keep my older pet healthy?
Once your pet hits seven years of age, she’s reached senior status.
Solution: Older pets require less protein, fat and calories because their metabolism slows as they age. Fibre is essential during this stage of life for good digestive health, so choose formulas labelled senior or mature that are high in fibre too. You might also consider adding extra fruits and vegetables to their diet, like garbanzo beans, sweet potatoes, bananas and leafy greens.
Senior pets are also prone to obesity, picky eating and heart, oral and kidney disease as well as degenerative hip and joint diseases. Now’s the time to talk to your vet about adding a supplement to balance your pet’s diet. Varieties for hip and joint care are often recommended for large dog breeds, and studies show giving omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils to your dog or cat (under a vet’s supervision) can benefit brain health. The new trend of calming supplements (think sweet-smelling sprays, collars and treats) can help keep pets relaxed.
6. Is my new puppy or kitten getting the right food?
What you feed a young pet can affect health into adulthood. In early life, good nutrition is key!
Solution: Cats are considered kittens up to one year, while most dogs, depending on size, hit adulthood between nine and 18 months. Puppies and kittens grow at incredible rates, which makes protein and fatty acids the most important dietary essentials. Young pets need to consume more calories and protein per pound of body weight than adult pets do. “They’re natural calorie burners and use 50 percent of their energy just for growing,” says Starkey. That means more frequent feedings (two to three times a day) and picking premium pet foods, to suit specific breeds, with higher ratios of protein.
Top pick: Organix Puppy Food (Dry), $21.
7. Should I spoil my pet with treats?
In moderation, treats are a great way to reward good behaviour and make pets feel extra-loved.
Solution: First, make sure treats account for no more than 10 percent of your pet’s diet. Too many between meals can impact appetite and cause weight gain. It’s best to give your pet designated treats, not people food. Starkey recommends “functional snacks,” like dental treats, to keep pets happy and healthy. Steal Starkey’s 10 percent trick: Measure out a day’s kibble, then reserve 10 percent for treats. Set it aside somewhere accessible to the family but not to your pet. “It’s a great way to get everyone involved without going overboard,” says Starkey. “There isn’t a pet out there that doesn’t love being praised with food.”
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