Do you know your pet's ideal weight? The answer is not something you can look up in a book. Common sense tells us we do not want our pets to be too thin, nor too fat, but it may not be so easy to tell when our pet's weight is just right. Dogs vary in size and weight more than any other species on earth, domesticated cats too have large differences across breeds. Therefore we can not use scales alone to judge an ideal weight, an obese chihuahua is never going to weigh more than an underweight Dobermann, and a muscular Norwegian Forest Cat will always tip the scales compared to a delicate Siamese. Body shape is not a reliable guide either,  after all an overweight greyhound looks quite different to a slender Saint Bernard.

Body Condition Score

Universal guidelines have been developed to help us to see beyond the number on the scales; using observation and touch they help us to judge whether an animal is within their ideal body weight range.  Vets refer to this 9-point system as the body condition score (BCS), 1 point for emaciation and 9 points for extreme obesity.  A score of 4 or 5 is considered ideal. Attached is the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) BCS guide – how many points would you give your pet?

BCS is useful for vets when reviewing case notes, if an animal has lost 2kg of weight and moved from a BCS of 9 to 7; then this is likely to be a positive change. If however, this 2kg weight loss has caused the animal to move from a BCS of 4 to 2; then this is more likely to be a negative change and the vet may wish to investigate.

Weight and Wellness

We all want our pets to live their best life possible.  Thinking about weight in relation to wellness is a refreshingly positive new attitude.  Modern science has proven a strong link between wellness and weight.  Your pet's weight will affect their health, but equally, poor health will affect weight, either increasing or decreasing it.  Whilst most disease processes, such as organ failure or cancer will cause weight loss, there are endocrine diseases, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease, that will cause weight gain. You should speak to your vet about any noticeable changes in your pet's weight.

What If My Pet Is...Underweight?

To help keep our pets healthy we should aim to keep their body condition score within the optimal 4 to 5 range. Animals that are underweight (BCS 3 or less) should be examined by a vet to ensure that their weight is not caused by a disease process. If no illness is present, then your vet can help guide you in making a change to more energy dense food, feeding more and more often to meet your pet's energy demands. Undernutrition is uncommon.

Just Slightly Overweight?

The health benefits of restricting food intake is gathering increasing scientific interest, the idea has also been demonstrated to have benefits for dogs. A study¹ of 48 Labrador Retrievers found that dogs fed a restricted amount lived longer and had fewer chronic health problems than dogs that were moderately overweight (average BCS 6.5). This is not to say that we should not feed our pets enough, it simply demonstrates the clear benefits of not feeding too much.

On The Chubby Side?

Obesity is a growing problem for UK pets, in 2010 studies^2,3 found 59% of dogs and 39% of cats were overweight or obese. We now understand that excessive body fat increases the risk of health problems, including diabetes, arthritis, cancers, cardiovascular and liver disease. These diseases do not only shorten lifespan, but also reduce quality of life.

As our pets get older too, a trim waist means that they have less pressure through their joints, and therefore arthritis symptoms will be less severe. Maintaining an ideal weight becomes more difficult when arthritis is present, as the activity will be reduced. Feeding less to reflect the reduced activity will help to ensure that arthritis symptoms are not made worse.

How Do I Help My Pet Lose Weight?

Starting a weight loss regime and sticking to it can be difficult when your pet is looking up at you lovingly, pleading for another treat. When we love our pets, food is often used as a way of communicating that love to them. An effective weight loss program requires total commitment from all members of the family.

Feeding a balanced diet appropriate for your pet's lifestyle is the most important step and many low-calorie high-fibre diets are now available. Your pet should be regularly weighed and their diet adjusted as required.

Exercise too is an important factor and for people exercising their dogs, the benefits are mutual. For cats, engaging them in play activities can help to keep their bodies moving.

Many veterinary practices offer complementary weight clinics, where target weights and monthly goals can be discussed. A slow and controlled rate of weight loss is key.  Rapid weight loss can be dangerous, particularly for very obese patients, as a sudden reduction in calories can cause liver damage. Obese cats put on a crash diet, or that stop eating due to another illness, are at risk of their liver becoming overwhelmed with the quantity of fat reserves arriving in the liver to produce energy.

Ongoing Weight Checks

Being mindful about your pet's weight will help you to keep them within a healthy body condition score of 4 or 5. Your pet should be weighed regularly, at least twice a year, this will help you to quickly address any weight losses or gains.

Here at Protect My Pet accurate and up-to-date weights are essential to ensure we are sending your pet the correct dose of flea and worm preventatives. Please take a moment to check the weights we have for your pet are correct. If you need to update us with your pet's most recent weight, you can contact us here.

Body Condition Score for Cats: 

Body Condition Score for Dogs:

References

1. Kealy et al. (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 220. 1315-20.

2. Courcier et al. (2010)  An epidemiological study of environmental factors associated with canine obesity. J Small Anim Pract 51:362–7

3. Courcier et al. (2010). Prevalence and risk factors for feline obesity in a first opinion practice in Glasgow, Scotland. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 12(10), 746–753.

What better way to enjoy the festive season than exploring a Christmas market with your dog! Every year parks, towns, and markets transform into a winter wonderland, letting everyone relish in the beautiful Christmas weather and tradition. A Christmas market encapsulates all the greatest parts of Christmas into one central location which makes it perfect to indulge in with your furry best friend.

Check out our hand-picked list of dog-friendly Christmas markets across the UK to visit this year. 

Where: Bristol

When: 9th November 2018 - 23rd December 2018 

The beautifully decorated Bristol market takes place in the heart of Broadmead, the Bristol Shopping Quarter. You can expect 55 wooden chalets decorated with twinkling lights filled with art, festive gifts, and of course delicious food and drinks! Open from 10am to 10pm, visitors can enjoy German wine, hot chocolate, and even German beer at the Jagerbarn beer garden. Bristol market also has a food village and abundance of unique Christmas gifts which makes it the perfect place to bring your pup and sniff out some of the greatest finds this Christmas season!

Where: Bath

When: 22nd November 2018 - 9th December 2018

The Bath Christmas market is one of the largest in the UK, featuring over 200 chalets featuring 80% of stallholders from Bath and the South West and 99% of the Christmas gifts and handmade in Britain. With such a large market, there’s bound to be a wide variety of food that you and your pup will be sure to enjoy and get you in the Christmas spirit! From the festive decorations to the beautiful gifts and food, the Bath market is definitely worth checking out this Christmas season. It is open from 10am to 7pm Monday through Wednesday, 8:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and until 6pm on Sundays. If you’re bringing your furry friend to relish in all the Christmas fun, it is recommended to go during the less busy times, such as during the week so that the crowds do not overwhelm your pooch. 

Where: Belfast

When: 17th November 2018 - 22nd December 2018

The Belfast Christmas market will be returning for the 14^th year in a row in the famous City Hall! This perfect location provides visitors with plenty of scenic landscapes and backgrounds that are transformed into a magical Christmas event. Among the Christmas gifts and decorations are some of the greatest culinary choices you will ever see. If you’re craving something, the Belfast Christmas market is bound to have it as there is an abundance of Belgian chocolate, French tarts, traditional German Bratwursts, Spanish Paella, and many more foods from across the world. But don’t get too caught up in the amazing food and forget to visit Santa’s Grotto! Santa spends his time at the Belfast Christmas market in his Grotto, making all the children’s Christmas wishes come true. The market is open until the 22^nd of December so there is plenty of time to experience all Belfast has to offer!

Where: London Bridge, London 

When: 29th November 2018 - 2nd January 2019

This market is in the perfect location as it is surrounded by amazing views of the Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, and the City skyline of London. Visit the 'Christmas by the River' market to gaze at the beautiful decorations and lights illuminating the city, making it a true winter wonderland. There are almost 70 stalls of Christmas decorations, stocking stuffers, food, drinks, and Christmas music. Take your pup and let them pick out their Christmas gifts for you and their furry friends! 

Where: Scotland

When: 16th November 2018 - 5th January 2019

The Scottish Market in Edinburgh transforms into a Christmas experience during the winter months and runs from 26^th of November to the 24^th of December! Located in St. Andrew Square, this Christmas market is filled with traditional Scottish art, crafts, and delicious Scottish food.

The European Market in Edinburgh also turns into a magnificent winter wonderland and offers unique gifts and stocking stuffers such as crafts and ornaments. This Christmas market runs from 19^th of November until 7^th of January. Both markets are a great way to spend a chilly winter day with your pup and to roam throughout the stalls finding your favourite Christmas treats!

If you're not able to attend any of these markets, why not spoil your dog this Christmas with one of our 5-star rated Gift Boxes tailored to your pet?

Our unique gift boxes are filled with eco-friendly, and ethically sourced, toys, treats, and practical items. 

While the information included in this blog is considered to be correct at the date of publication, changes in location and dates of markets may be subject to change so please check before planning your day out with your dog. 

Happy Halloween to all of our dog lovers! As much some of us may love this time of year, it is easy to forget the extra stress and health risks that it can pose on our furry friends. Here are some friendly tips and tricks on how to keep our cuddly companions safe during the Halloween season.

Hang your Halloween decorations out of reach

Throughout the Halloween season, it is easy to get distracted by all the decorations and party planning. With that said, it is important to keep in mind where you place your spooky decorations. As fun as these decorations are, they can often become a very dangerous choking hazard for our pets which could lead to suffocation or an avoidable trip to the vets. Whilst decorating your home remember to place your decorations high and out of reach from those curious paws.

Loud bangs and whistles of fireworks may be thrilling for us on Halloween, but for our dogs, it can be stressful and confusing

Many dogs show signs of distress when exposed to the sound of fireworks, these signs may be subtle, such as lip licking, yawning and panting but as they become frightened they might pace around the house, tremble, go to the toilet indoors and become destructive. In the weeks following Halloween, and with Bonfire Night, Christmas and NYE around the corner fireworks are more prevalent so it is important to recognise that all of these signs are stress induced. It is much easier to be prepared and prevent your dog from becoming stressed than it is to calm a dog already showing signs of extreme mental anxiety. You can read our vet's tips to help prevent your dog becoming stressed by fireworks here. 

Human treats are not safe for our pets 

While it might be tempting to share some of those treats you have ready for the trick-or-treaters, be aware that they may not be safe for our pets. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is often found in our favourite Halloween goodies. Whilst this ingredient is perfectly safe for humans it can cause insulin release, low blood glucose and liver toxicity in dogs when eaten in large amounts.

The substances contained in chocolate affect the central nervous system, cardiac and skeletal muscle. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate but all are best avoided.

Fancy dress is fun but it’s not for everyone

One of the best parts of Halloween is being able to dress up for the night. As fun as it is to have our dogs join in on the fun, it is important to remember they most likely have no idea why they are dressed as a pumpkin. Although some of our dogs may love their new look, make sure to notice any signs of stress or anxiety.

In good company

On Halloween night, try to ensure that your dog has a safe place to stay in case of late night visitors. A dog's hearing is much superior to our own, and so those loud bangs from anxious trick-or-treaters are all the more distressing to our pets. If you want to go out to celebrate try to get your dog a babysitter or even better drop them off for a Halloween play date.

Spooky pumpkin carvings may become even spookier for our dogs

As fun as it is to light a candle in our carved pumpkins, be wary of how this may become a risk for your dog. Your dog may become curious and accidentally burn their paws, nose or even knock the candle over creating a fire. This could pose a serious safety risk for you, your dog and your home. If you want to decorate your house with candlelit pumpkins be mindful of where you place your spooky creations.

The team at Protect My Pet wish you and your pets a very happy Halloween!