Keep your pets happy by letting them join in with your New Years Resolution

Keep your pets happy by letting them join in with your New Years Resolution

We’ve all seen the ‘world’s funniest pets’ programmes, where a cat falls off of the couch, or a dog jumps into the conservatory window. And yes, we laugh unapologetically most of the time. But more often than not, it’s the lazy overweight animals that are put up to scrutiny and ridicule. But that’s not going to be your pet is it?

According to Petplan, the UK’s leading pet insurance provider, what we do over the winter months, our pets do too. And when you consider that most people put on an average of 5 pounds over the Christmas holidays alone due to over-indulgence, imagine what the impact on your beloved pets could be, after eating their dinner, and then polishing off yours!

With limited exercise and a tendency to over feed our beloved animals when the cold months are amongst us, Petplan is urging pet owners to not only made a resolution for yourself this new year, but to make one for the pets too.

After conducting a survey in which Petplan customers were asked what they would be doing with their animals over Christmas, the results show that whatever the owner did, the pet did, and a whopping 43% of owners claimed that their pets also had a fitness regime planned for the New Year.

The survey also revealed that it wasn’t just us who turned into couch potatoes. 74% of cats, 70% of dogs, and oddly enough, 53% of rabbits spent as much time in front of the box as their masters.

In light of this, Petplan’s Vet of the Year 2008, Brian Faulker has provided New Years Resolutions specifically for pets in a hope that they won’t become as unhealthy as the rest of us. As the 3 animals who seem to love their tele, we take a look at what he said about dogs, cats and rabbits, and what we can do to get them active.

Dogs

Start with the basics. Over-feeding is the most common cause of obesity in animals so don’t feed them too much. Look up how much food your dog should eat (this will depend on its size and age) and measure it out. Although treats are a great way to train your dog, don’t go crazy otherwise all that measuring is a big waste of time.

Incorporate your dog into your exercise routine. They might not be able to do your workout DVD’s but that can’t stop you from taking a run with your pooch. Some dogs actually need more exercise than others, such as Dalmatians need more than Yorkshire Terriers, so ask your vet, if there are any special ways to approach your new routine.

Think about the long term. If you have a new puppy, perhaps enrol them into an agility class. You can bond together and it will help to release all of their energy somewhere that isn’t in your living room. Clean their teeth and take out some pet insurance. They might sound basic, but a huge amount of pet owners neglect these easy solutions to keep their pups happy and healthy. If you really want to get active, why not try dog dancing?

Petplan customer Jo Gunkel keeps her dog Tilly moving by exercising in front of her. She said: “As a cheerleader at Derby University, I often practice my routine in the company of Tilly. She gets so excited when I’m jumping about that it gets her moving too. It’s like we can practise my routines together.”

Cats

Just like the dogs, cats can put on weight easily, and as one of the most laid back animals to keep at home, they don’t burn off as much as the dogs. So measure out the cat food, and make sure you limit their treats.

The thing about cats is that they are most likely to move fast when they’re running towards food or playing. So if you’re thinking of buying a new cat, why not buy two. They will have each other for comfort, for playing and therefore for exercising.

However, as a fairly independent animal that will always come scurrying home, and getting into scraps to defend their territory, the best bet is to make sure your cat is insured. Better to be safe than sorry. Although it is more difficult to exercise your cat than your dog, it’s not impossible. Toys that they can run around with make a whole lot of difference.

Rabbits

It really is up to you how you feed your pet, but to be fair on them, you must feed them certain foods. You couldn’t feed your rabbit what you feed your dog, so take a careful look at what they need. What nourishments can they not go with out, and how much do they need?

Apart from their nibbles though, rabbits are lucky enough to have a spring in their step so don’t let it become a chore to let them out of their cage once in a while. Bunnies need to be free to run and jump and wander around, which in many cases, they cannot do in their normal hutch. Try and make the garden safe for them to be let free for a short period of time. Leave toys lying around so they move more.

According to the Petplan survey, nearly half of rabbit owners confirmed that their rabbit would take on some exercise in 2009. Sarah Statham from Lingfield, Surrey said:

“When I go to pick vegetables from the bottom of the garden, I put my rabbit Totsy on a lead to give her a walk. She can have time spent away from her cage and have some exercise at the same time.”

Bunny leads are a great way to take your pet for a walk. Although it might not seem as conventional as taking the dog for a walk, if a rabbit can watch the Tele, it can surely go for a stroll to the park.