Too many dogs are overweight and are much more prone to suffer from several health problems, like arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular health issues and early death. Dieting and exercise individually are often not enough and a healthy combination of both are more effective. Over time, it is important to make sure that your dog is living at a healthy weight.

To start an exercise routine, start your dog exercising for 15 minutes a day. Then, build up to at least 30 to 60 minutes a day. For their diet, make sure you are feeding them lean proteins. Chicken breast, minced beef and white fish are excellent sources of lean protein.

Bring your dog into Celebration Veterinary Hospital to discuss your dog’s individual exercise and dietary needs. Every breed and dog are unique, so individual analysis is vital to make sure that your dog’s health is top notch.

Living in Florida, we know how hot it can get in the summer. Don’t forget that your pets need to be protected
from the heat, just as we do. Pets can easily suffer from heat exhaustion, sunburns, and dehydration during the summer months. The Celebration Veterinary Hospital, in Celebration, Florida, has some tips to offer, but as always, keep a close eye on your pets and bring them in if you have any concerns.

Make sure that your pet always has a fresh supply of cool water. Leaving water outside will cause it to be too hot to drink very quickly, so make sure you have ample shade and replenish the water regularly. If you will be leaving your pets alone in the day, freeze a bowl of water so it can thaw and provide cool water for a longer period of time.

Bring pets inside during the hottest hours of the day. If it’s too hot for you to be outside, it is too hot for your pets. Remember, they have extra fur and their body temperatures can rise quickly. While they are inside, consider purchasing a pet bed that can be filled with cool water or placing a fan near them.

When they are outside, make sure you have provided a comfortable shaded area. You can wrap an ice pack in a towel or sock and place it where your pet rests. You can also purchase cooling pads, bandanas or collars that can help keep your pet cool. Allow them to rest in the heat of the day and wait until it cools off to take them on a walk.

Never leave your pet alone in a car. It isn’t enough to crack the windows for them, as the temperature rises too quickly in the car. Take an extra key with you so you can leave the air conditioning on for your pet while you run your errands.

Pets, especially dogs, can sunburn easily. Pet sunscreen can be purchased, but avoid rubbing it on their belly or in locations where they can lick it off. The sun reflects off of sidewalks and sand, so don’t go to the beach unless you can assure there will be sufficient shade.

If you have a pool in your backyard, supervise your pets as you would supervise children to avoid accidental drownings.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital is here to help you keep your pet happy and healthy, so contact us to give you specific advice.

Don’t you love it when your cat snuggles up in your lap or you get to spend time in the backyard playing catch with your dog? What about watching your children play with your pets? We love our pets and they bring happiness to our families. They have dynamic personalities and our houses wouldn’t be the same without them.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital exists because of our love of animals and we understand how much they mean to you. We are dedicated to caring for your pet as we care for our own. We are a full service pet healthcare center in Celebration, Florida, near Walt Disney World and Kissimmee, Florida. We offer and encourage preventative medical services, including annual health exams, vaccines, internal/external parasite prevention and dental cleanings to keep pets and their families healthy. We also offer boarding services when you will be out of town.

When your pet is not feeling well, we understand that you worry about your pet and want to provide the best care possible. We are committed to offering compassionate patient care at Celebration Veterinary Hospital. Our highly trained team works with state of the art medical instruments to accurately diagnose and treat your pet. We also want to help you be a great pet owner through education. In our location, we offer services to help, such as behavioral consultations and therapeutic diets. Online, we will write blogs to help spread awareness about pet care and offer helpful tips. Come on in to our location in Water Tower Shoppes next door to Carpet One and check back online to keep up to date with us.