Posts in Category: Exercise Nutrition & Obesity

Running is a great activity for humans and dogs alike. Our four-legged friends make the best running partners; dogs want to be with us, they have boundless energy, and it’s hard to skip a workout with those puppy dog eyes waiting expectantly at the door. 

There are plenty of “do’s” for running with your dog, and a few don’ts as well. Come along with Clairmont Animal Hospital as we check out the basics of a running program with your best fur pal. 

The Do’s Of Running With Your Dog

When it comes to running with your dog, we recommend starting with a check-up. Just as with people, you want to have a clean bill of health before starting any new exercise program. 

We all have heard the saying “you are what you eat.” Nutrition is definitely important and an essential part of taking care of your pet, but choosing your pet’s food can be a daunting task. There are a lot of choices out there from raw dog food to home-cooked to human grade ingredients. One question that we get asked a lot at Clairmont Animal Hospital is whether or not to feed organic dog food. Read on to learn our answer.

Have you been spending too much time on the couch? Has your dog been giving you the stink eye every time you pass by the leash? It might be time to dust off those running or hiking shoes. There’s nothing quite like outdoor walks with your dog to get you motivated.

The team at Clairmont Animal Hospital has compiled a few pointers to keep your pet safe, as well as some local suggestions for good fun and exercise.

Safety First: Going on Walks with Your Dog

Before you grab the leash and head outside, make sure you brush up on summer pet safety tips. Be a dog walking pro with the following suggestions:

A question we often field from owners whose pets have recently had surgery, is whether or not it’s safe for their pets to exercise.

After a surgical procedure, many pet owners feel some trepidation about allowing their pet to exercise, and rightly so; but some activity is necessary for a successful recovery.

Exercising your pet after surgery, while using caution and maintaining a slow progression, can be advantageous as your pet heals from any surgery.

There has never been a better time to play with your dog than right this very minute. The weather’s gorgeous, you’re both feeling a little antsy, and the truth is, a bit of outdoor time goes a long way toward overall health and wellness. 

Whether you’ve got a perfectly content little lap dog or a busy working breed, the time you put in to play with your dog can make all the difference in both of your lives.

The Long View

Depending on your dog’s age and breed, the general recommendation involves 30-60 minutes of exercise every day. This could mean a simple walk around the block, a trip to the park, or a strenuous hike.

The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t mean that fun inside can’t be delightful! If you and your pets are feeling a little stir crazy, Clairmont Animal Hospital has just the ideas you need for some fun winter pet activities. 

Banishing the Blues

When the temperatures drop, the daylight hours diminish, and we spend more time indoors, things can get a little depressing. Chances are that you and your pet are less active. This can lead to some potential problems. 

Boredom and lack of stimulation can lead to issues such as:

There’s something about shorter days and cooler temps that make all of us a less than enthusiastic fitness buff. Despite knowing the importance of being active, a brisk morning dog walk seems unlikely when the sun has yet to peek over the horizon.

There are also times when freezing rain and low temperatures can actually be harmful to our fur friends. So the question is, how do you keep your pet both active and safe? Continue…

Many dog owners may chuckle to learn that there is actually a National Walk Your Dog Month (we mean, aren’t they all); but seeing as January has this special designation, we’d like to take the opportunity to focus on what makes dog walking fun for everyone.

We all know our pets could probably use more exercise, yet for some reason many of us seem to let this simple task fall to the wayside. Walking your dog has so many benefits besides just exercise; bonding, stress relief, training opportunities, social opportunities, longevity, mental stimulation, and of course, releasing that pent up energy that can lead to misbehavior! With so much at play, don’t let this opportunity pass you and your pet by… Continue…

If you are like more than half of the pet guardians out there, you are probably looking for ways to help your pet lose some weight and be more active. Pet obesity is a major problem in the United States, with roughly over 55% of all household pets considered overweight or obese.

Before we were aware of some of the direct correlations between certain diseases and weight, we might have considered a slightly rotund kitty cute, or even funny. However, now that we have a greater understanding of the perils of obesity and the many health challenges that impact our pet’s quality of life when a healthy weight isn’t maintained, we realize fat pets aren’t so funny after all.

And, now we are entering into the most challenging season for weight management (for pets and people, alike)! Since Thanksgiving brings with it loads of food and just as many distractions, this might be the ideal time to talk, um, well, turkey. Continue…