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MEET WINNIE!
Courtesy Rover.com
Oct. 10 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Winnie knows about the issues that come with extra weight firsthand.
02of 10WINNIE WEIGHS INCourtesy Rover.comTo combat the extra fat, Winnie started a weight loss journey on July 15 and worked on slowly and safely losing weight through Sept. 30. Winnie and her family kept a diary during this time, to help inspire other owners and to show them how easy it is to make simple changes that benefit your pet’s health.JULY 15Winnie weighed in 14 lbs. overweight, kicking off her weight loss journey. Dr. Gary Richter, holistic veterinarian and Dog People Panel member atRover.com,an online pet care provider, recommended upping her exercise, including three walks a week during work days, paired with a strict diet.“Being this degree overweight can lead to joint pain and arthritis over time,” said Dr. Richter. “Dogs do not get coronary artery disease so heart attacks are not a concern like they are in people. By far, the biggest problem is mobility issues and pain.“Pet obesity in the U.S. increased in 2017, affecting 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats, according to theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention(APOP). “In the case of an overweight dog, it is important to increase their activity level in order to help them burn more calories and build muscle,” said Dr. Richter. “Adding in a midday walk is an excellent way to do this.”
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WINNIE WEIGHS IN
To combat the extra fat, Winnie started a weight loss journey on July 15 and worked on slowly and safely losing weight through Sept. 30. Winnie and her family kept a diary during this time, to help inspire other owners and to show them how easy it is to make simple changes that benefit your pet’s health.
JULY 15
Winnie weighed in 14 lbs. overweight, kicking off her weight loss journey. Dr. Gary Richter, holistic veterinarian and Dog People Panel member atRover.com,an online pet care provider, recommended upping her exercise, including three walks a week during work days, paired with a strict diet.
“Being this degree overweight can lead to joint pain and arthritis over time,” said Dr. Richter. “Dogs do not get coronary artery disease so heart attacks are not a concern like they are in people. By far, the biggest problem is mobility issues and pain.”
Pet obesity in the U.S. increased in 2017, affecting 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats, according to theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention(APOP). “In the case of an overweight dog, it is important to increase their activity level in order to help them burn more calories and build muscle,” said Dr. Richter. “Adding in a midday walk is an excellent way to do this.”
03of 10JULY 18Courtesy Rover.comTake a look at Winnie on her first of many walks with a dog walker hired through Rover.com! Winnie started a regimen of walks three times weekly, along with more monitored feeding times. (Her family’s 3-year-old was instructed to stop at two scoops exactly.)
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JULY 18
Take a look at Winnie on her first of many walks with a dog walker hired through Rover.com! Winnie started a regimen of walks three times weekly, along with more monitored feeding times. (Her family’s 3-year-old was instructed to stop at two scoops exactly.)
04of 10JULY 18 (PART 2)Courtesy Rover.comEven though Winnie was a little out of shape, she was able to walk close to one mile at the beginning of her weight loss journey. Remember when you are planning an exercise regimen for your pet, make sure you take his or her physical limits into consideration.
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JULY 18 (PART 2)
Even though Winnie was a little out of shape, she was able to walk close to one mile at the beginning of her weight loss journey. Remember when you are planning an exercise regimen for your pet, make sure you take his or her physical limits into consideration.
05of 10JULY 25Courtesy Rover.comIn addition to photos, time and distance walked, Winnie’s pet parent received walk start and stop times, a GPS map of her walks and notes about any “activities” during Winnie’s work day walks.
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JULY 25
In addition to photos, time and distance walked, Winnie’s pet parent received walk start and stop times, a GPS map of her walks and notes about any “activities” during Winnie’s work day walks.
06of 10AUG. 16Courtesy Rover.comWinnie enjoying a mid-day walk with her walker, Eric.“Obesity in dogs can limit both quality and quantity of life in dogs. Just like with humans, the key to maintaining a healthy weight in dogs is a function of good nutrition and exercise. Getting dogs on an optimal diet (fresh, whole food) and a safe and sustainable exercise regimen is the best way to keep them fit and trim. Appropriate weight loss is a benefit at any age but preventing obesity or resolving it at a young age is the best way to prevent the arthritis and pain that can occur due to obesity,” Dr. Richter said.
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AUG. 16
Winnie enjoying a mid-day walk with her walker, Eric.
“Obesity in dogs can limit both quality and quantity of life in dogs. Just like with humans, the key to maintaining a healthy weight in dogs is a function of good nutrition and exercise. Getting dogs on an optimal diet (fresh, whole food) and a safe and sustainable exercise regimen is the best way to keep them fit and trim. Appropriate weight loss is a benefit at any age but preventing obesity or resolving it at a young age is the best way to prevent the arthritis and pain that can occur due to obesity,” Dr. Richter said.
07of 10AUG. 27Courtesy Rover.comWinnie began trimming up from her more frequent walks and monitored food intake. She currently weighs 71 lbs.
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AUG. 27
Winnie began trimming up from her more frequent walks and monitored food intake. She currently weighs 71 lbs.
08of 10SEPT. 6Courtesy Rover.comWinnie on one of her three work day walks of the week. Tired, burning lots of calories and gaining strength.
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SEPT. 6
Winnie on one of her three work day walks of the week. Tired, burning lots of calories and gaining strength.
09of 10SEPT. 14Courtesy Rover.comWinnie getting ready for her 30-minute walk with her beloved walker Eric.
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SEPT. 14
Winnie getting ready for her 30-minute walk with her beloved walker Eric.
10of 10SEPTEMBER 30Courtesy Rover.comWinnie feeling healthier and looking svelter! During her final weigh-in, Winnie weighed 67 lbs., losing a total of 8 lbs. over a three-month span.Way to go, Winnie!
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SEPTEMBER 30
Winnie feeling healthier and looking svelter! During her final weigh-in, Winnie weighed 67 lbs., losing a total of 8 lbs. over a three-month span.
Way to go, Winnie!
source: people.com
