Do you live with a fat cat or corpulent Corgi?  While some may find the image of this cat amusing, the sad reality is he won’t live as long as his slimmer counterparts.  October 9th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day and keeping your pet’s weight down ranks as #1 on the top 7 things you can do to keep your pet healthy, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association – https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/7-things-you-can-do-keep-your-pet-healthy.

We know it can be tough to say no to those puppy eyes or, in my case, a Siamese screaming at me every evening come treat time, but sometimes saying no is a kindness.  Instead of plying your pet with edible goodies, try giving them a different kind of treat like an extra hug, a longer walk as the weather begins to cool off, some satisfying brushing, or more quality cuddle time.  After all, food is often used as a substitute for something else missing in our lives.  In this case, what’s missing just may be your undivided attention.