Murphy here! Thought ya'll
might like to see a baby picture! I am so cute! Who could resist me?
That's my big brother, Bors. The doc calls him The Old Man. At 14 years
old, he and I get along great. He LOVES it when I try to pounce on him when he is sleeping. He always barks quite loudly when I do, in order to thank me.
Speaking of the Old Man, he is a prime example of why we dogs and cats need to stay fit. Bors had been in a car accident when he was little and before he joined our family. As a result, he has a bad hip. With bad joints, extra weight makes many pets like Bors reluctant to even get out of bed on some days! Fat dogs and cats are at risk for arthritis. Older chunky dogs and cats not only have a hard time getting around because of the excess flab, but their arthritis bothers them more than it would otherwise. The doc says that if pets lose weight before they hit 7 or 8 years old, or better yet, they never get fat, they will be less prone to joint disease.
Keeping active also keeps the muscle tone strong. Strong muscles help old, arthritic pets move around better. Many dogs and cats who have good muscle tone have hidden arthritis. No one notices (well, but the doc, of course!) that their joints aren't normal. Strong muscles keep them moving. Even at 14, with a bum leg, the Old Man likes to walk down to the mailbox each day and for longer walks on warmer days. The doc says that if you don't use your muscles and joints, you lose them. If you don't get up and get moving, your joints get even stiffer! And hey, cats get arthritis, too! They don't whine (or meow?) about it. Instead, they jump less, pulling themselves onto the couch or bed instead of jumping. They also walk around less and tend to stay in bed longer.
The doc says that dogs and cats who are fat also are at risk for heart and kidney disease not to mention diabetes and even skin disease. Being overweight also makes it harder for us dogs and cats to enjoy life! Yes, we enjoy treats (and peanut butter!!) but being able to run, jump and play is far more important to us. When we say we want another treat, we need you to have the willpower to resist us. We don't know any better, but you, our owners do. When we ask for food, if you were to play with us or take us for a run instead, everyone benefits!
So hey, you and the dog get off of the couch! The sun is up longer now that daylight savings has kicked in. Today, it was in the mid-50's, which was nice enough that the doc and I got in 8 miles after he finished his classes. Perfect day in my world, if I had only had a little more peanut butter. But you dogs, get your owners outside and play. Kitties! Time to hint to your owners that it is a great time for the laser pointer or one of those cool balls with the blinking light in it! Whatever you do, just start SOME type of exercise! You and your owner will not regret it!
Speaking of the Old Man, he is a prime example of why we dogs and cats need to stay fit. Bors had been in a car accident when he was little and before he joined our family. As a result, he has a bad hip. With bad joints, extra weight makes many pets like Bors reluctant to even get out of bed on some days! Fat dogs and cats are at risk for arthritis. Older chunky dogs and cats not only have a hard time getting around because of the excess flab, but their arthritis bothers them more than it would otherwise. The doc says that if pets lose weight before they hit 7 or 8 years old, or better yet, they never get fat, they will be less prone to joint disease.
Keeping active also keeps the muscle tone strong. Strong muscles help old, arthritic pets move around better. Many dogs and cats who have good muscle tone have hidden arthritis. No one notices (well, but the doc, of course!) that their joints aren't normal. Strong muscles keep them moving. Even at 14, with a bum leg, the Old Man likes to walk down to the mailbox each day and for longer walks on warmer days. The doc says that if you don't use your muscles and joints, you lose them. If you don't get up and get moving, your joints get even stiffer! And hey, cats get arthritis, too! They don't whine (or meow?) about it. Instead, they jump less, pulling themselves onto the couch or bed instead of jumping. They also walk around less and tend to stay in bed longer.
The doc says that dogs and cats who are fat also are at risk for heart and kidney disease not to mention diabetes and even skin disease. Being overweight also makes it harder for us dogs and cats to enjoy life! Yes, we enjoy treats (and peanut butter!!) but being able to run, jump and play is far more important to us. When we say we want another treat, we need you to have the willpower to resist us. We don't know any better, but you, our owners do. When we ask for food, if you were to play with us or take us for a run instead, everyone benefits!
So hey, you and the dog get off of the couch! The sun is up longer now that daylight savings has kicked in. Today, it was in the mid-50's, which was nice enough that the doc and I got in 8 miles after he finished his classes. Perfect day in my world, if I had only had a little more peanut butter. But you dogs, get your owners outside and play. Kitties! Time to hint to your owners that it is a great time for the laser pointer or one of those cool balls with the blinking light in it! Whatever you do, just start SOME type of exercise! You and your owner will not regret it!