fido fitness becomes family fitness
How much exercise does a dog need? Animal experts at PURINA® say that whether you have a Great Dane or a Yorkie, dogs typically need 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day. Exercise can come in the form of a brisk walk, a jog, or even chasing a ball. The cool thing is that numerous health organizations recommend that kids exercise 30 minutes or more every day—about the same amount that your dog needs!
The type of exercise recommended is as simple as a brisk walk with your dog or a game of catch in the park—just what the doctor (and the veterinarian) ordered. Exercise is key to being healthier, more flexible, and stronger—and you just feel better. Both you, your family and your dog will appreciate the positive changes in your bodies when you exercise—and your emotional bond will strengthen when you have fun together. Now get out there and play ball!
Being too heavy is not healthy—for man or beast. For treat-motivated pets, weight gain can be a problem. As in people, your dog is overweight for one reason: He consumes more calories than he burns.
what is the right weight?
Different dog breeds come in different shapes (think of the physical differences between a bulldog and a whippet). Here are the ways, recommended by the pet experts at Purina, to determine if your dog is overweight:
Rib check: Place both of your thumbs on your dog’s backbone and spread both hands across his rib cage. You want to be able to feel his ribs.
Profile check: Examine your dog’s profile—it’s best if you are level with the dog. Look for the abdomen to be tucked up behind the rib cage.
Overhead check: Looking at your dog from overhead, see if you can see a waist behind the ribs. Most dogs at a healthy weight should have an hourglass figure.
fit foods for healthy dogs
For weight loss and continued maintenance, PURINA® Fit & Trim® Healthy Weight is an ideal solution. Developed with veterinarians, this complete formula provides your dog with the nutrition he needs to Build, Replenish, and Repair™ his body every day during weight loss and continued maintenance.
When your puppy and adult dog are the correct weight, feed them PURINA ® PUPPY CHOW® Brand Puppy Food or PURINA® DOG CHOW® Brand Dog Food. We can help you choose the right food! Click here.
Of course we're crazy for cats, too!
For some feline vitamin facts, click here.
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