![How to help your dog if he’s afraid of water]()
Some dogs love to swim, but many are afraid to even get close to the water. Here are a few tips for helping Fido overcome his fears.
How to help your dog if he’s afraid of water
Many dogs love to swim, but some are afraid to even get close to the water. Whether his aversion to beaches, lakes and pools stems from a bad experience or your pet is simply cautious by nature, there are ways to help him feel more confident in the bath and at the beach.
To help your dog adjust to the water, it is best to introduce him to it at home where he feels safe and comfortable. Do not expect too much too fast, however, as forcing him into water can actually increase anxiety surrounding baths or swimming. To help him adjust at his own pace, introduce your dog to gradually by filling the tub with only a small amount of warm water. Offer him treats and praise when he remains calm in the tub and be sure to stay calm yourself, as dogs are masters at reading social cues. Over time as your dog shows signs of feeling comfortable, you can add more water. Try adding toys to the tub, too, to help distract your pet from a stressful soak. If you have a yard, you can also invest in a kiddie pool during the hot months of the year to entice your pet with a cooling dip to show him that getting wet can be an enjoyable experience. If he begins to relax and play in the pool, you can join in the fun, too. Other ways to introduce your dog to water include playing catch with the sprinklers on, letting him explore puddles during walks, petting him with a wet washcloth, and simply walking close to a lake or ocean during his daily exercise.
After your dog has mastered feeling confident in the water at home, you can bring him to the ocean or lake. If he has canine companions, arrange for a group outing so your pet can see his friends swimming and learn from them that water can be fun. Continue to offer praise as he wades even into the shallows, which will boost your dog’s confidence and form positive associations with the water. If you begin to get frustrated at any point, take a break or try again another day, as your pet can sense a sour mood and will begin to associate it with swimming.
Some dogs are frightened of swimming and respond well to a personal floatation device similar to the life jackets humans wear. With the confidence that he will not sink and a swaddling effect that many animals find comforting, your pet may be able to relax more and truly enjoy his time in a lake, pool or ocean. During bath time, make sure your tub is outfitted with a rubber mat to prevent slipping and consider investing in a nozzle for rinsing, as a deluge from a bucket can be off-putting for pets that are still adjusting to water. With some time and patience, your four-legged companion should learn feel comfortable in the water, and may even learn to love swimming.
![How to help your cat lose weight]()
Indoor cats live longer lives, but are more prone to pack on extra weight. Here are a few tips to help keep Kitty lose weight gradually.
How to help your cat lose weight
Keeping your cat indoors can help him live a longer life, but housecats are prone to a more sedentary lifestyle that can lead to problems with weight gain. To help keep Kitty a healthy weight, you may need to reconsider his diet by and lifestyle by providing him with nutrient-rich food, carefully considered portions, and interactive toys to inspire activity and play.
Before ever starting a weight-loss program for your pet, talk to your veterinarian about establishing a plan that supports healthy dieting and avoids severe food restrictions. Rapid weight loss can cause a serious disease in cats called known as fatty liver disease, so this is a not a step you should skip when putting your cat on a weight-loss program. Once your veterinarian has approved a plan, you can begin working towards achieving a healthy weight for your pet. What “healthy” means is unique to each animal, but you can use your pet’s body to establish a good baseline for your companion. Objective measures of a cat’s body condition are based on observable features, such as whether you can see his ribs and a distinct waistline, and how easily you can feel your pet’s bone structure. At a healthy weight, you should be able to see your cat’s waist behind his ribs; feel, but not see, his ribs; and observe a small pouch of fat on his stomach.
Cats should never lose more than 2 percent of their body weight in a week, so shedding excess body mass should be a gradual process. While your veterinarian can assist in calculating calorie goals and a feeding schedule to help Kitty achieve a healthy weight, you can try your hand at helping him lose weight through small changes such as modifications to his food type. For example, a diet high in fiber and low in fat can help your pet feel fuller longer by allowing him to consume more volume of food without excess calories. Likewise, a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can help your pet feel fuller longer and contribute to weight loss. Choosing wet foods with more water content will help with weight loss by increasing the volume of Kitty’s portions without contributing calories.
In addition to feeding your pet nutrient-rich food in controlled portions, you can help him lose weight gradually by supporting a more active lifestyle. Though living indoors increases cats’ life expectancies and protects wildlife such as birds that serve as prey for outdoor pets, housecats are less active and are prone to packing on extra weight. You can help your pet become more active by using toys such as laser pointers or fishing pole to play with your pet; giving him a puzzle feeder to challenge both his body and mind; or providing him with more vertical spaces for jumping and climbing, such as a cat trees and perches in windowsills. Combined with a healthy diet and portions, this can help your pet shed unhealthy weight in a controlled way.
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