We love our pets and often express this by giving them extra portions or treats we know they enjoy.But there is a health crisis sweeping the global pet population, and if we allow our pets to continue to gain weight then their life will be cut short by as much as 2 years.Meet Edie and her human Kelly, and find out how their weight loss journey could mark the turning point in your pet’s health and happiness.Pet Obesity Awareness Month[1:55] The single most important thing you can do for your dog or cat’s future health, happiness, and lifespan is to keep them at a healthy, lean body weight.[2:56] It can be complicated for many overweight pets to follow through on a weight loss program once they admit there is a weight issue.Edie and Edna’s Story[04:33] After Edie was spayed, Kelly noticed a change in her appetite and difficulty feeling satisfied for more extended periods. It ultimately led to an increase in body weight.Edie’s Weight Loss Journey[5:15] Kelly was initially confident in her ability to manage the situation on her own. Consuming less food equals losing weight. This approach, unfortunately, did not work.[6:57] The final straw was a visit to the veterinarian. Edie was at her heaviest weight of 14.4kg. At this stage, a change of diet was suggested and although Kelly was sceptical Edie starting this weight loss diet.[9:06] Kelly was willing to go to any length once the strategy began to work and showed promising outcomes. Edie lost a large amount of weight, and dropped from 14.4kg to 9.4kg.Tracking your pet’s food intake[11:53] The amount of food to be fed can be determined in two ways. Using a scale is best to weigh out each meal. The other is to use a measuring cup.[12:59] Instead of giving treats, Kelly uses Edie’s food as treats and keeps track of how much she feeds throughout each session.Kelly’s Advice[13:29] Don’t be offended when your vet talks about your pet’s weight[14:52] The result of weight loss was that Edie was more animated, playful, and agile; she moved differently and appeared younger and healthier.[22:50] Regularly weight your pet and keep a track of their previous weights so you can spot trends, as well as help keep motivated during a weight loss programFor more details, weight loss tips, and all the links mentioned in today&apos;s show head over to https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/dog-weight-loss-journey

Call the Vet with Dr. Alex Avery

This Pug's Health Transformation Is The Key To Saving Your Pet's Life!

We all want to be able to keep our dogs and cats as healthy as possible in the first instance, with the aim being to prevent illness and injury whenever possible. A holistic approach considers all aspects of a patient&apos;s lifestyle and individual needs and is an absolute requirement in this aim. But does this mean that drugs, or pharmaceuticals, are to be avoided at all costs? Do they actually cause more harm than good? Or are they one part of the toolkit that, when used responsibly, ensure your pet is living their best life?Join the discussion and check out the show notes here

The Conflict Between Drugs And Holistic Care For Your Dog and Cat

Not One More Vet. That is the dream…that not one more veterinarian, technician, nurse, or support staff will feel that they have no other option than to end their life by suicide.This is a silent crisis that has been a part of the veterinary profession for far too long. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes, and exploring:The statistics of veterinary suicide - it’s not just vetsThe reasons behind the struggles of all veterinary staffThe pandemic effectHow you can help your vetHead to the show notes for all links and further resources

Not One More Vet - the reality of life working as a veterinarian

Why do veterinarians recommend the diets they do, rather than a more "natural" raw diet that must surely be better for your pet&apos;s health. It can&apos;t be because the kibble is better, but instead that they are either ignorant or out to make a fast buck...or is it?

Greedy, Ignorant Veterinarians!

Taking your pet to the veterinarian can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. But you, the pet parent, play a key role in making sure that your pet receives the best care available, and also that you get the most value possible.These 9 tips, based on my 15 years as a vet working in general practice, will make sure you and your vet make the perfect healthcare team for your dog and cat!Dive into more details in the show notes

Simple Steps To Get The Most From Your Veterinarian

Is your cat really as happy and mentally stimulated as they can be? Can you truly say they are living their best life?Today&apos;s discussion, with the passionate cat behavioral consultant Ingrid Johnson, focuses on what exactly your cat needs to thrive and the simple changes we can all make around the house, and in our feeding habits specifically, that really can make all the difference to your cat&apos;s wellbeing.All too often the mental and emotional needs of cats are ignored. Today is the day to make the change they need!For more information and all the links discussed head over to the show notes at https://ourpetshealth.com/podcast/cat-enrichment

Are You Providing Your Cat with Everything They NEED? - with Cat Behaviorist Ingrid Johnson

Have you ever considered the impact that the food you choose to feed your pet has on the planet? Like most of us, do you think it&apos;s probably pretty negligible?What if I told you that a quarter of all meat produced in the United States is being fed to dogs and cats and as a result, about 25-30% of all the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts associated with meat production are due directly to pet food! I’ve spoken before about the importance of sustainable pet ownership, and diet is probably the most important change we could all make.At the same time though it is important we continue to research and optimize the quality of what we feed our pets, to ensure the best health possible for the dogs and cats that share our life.Thankfully, the pet food revolution is here...Discover more in the show notes

The Pet Food Revolution Is Here! - with Dr. Ernie Ward

There have been huge changes in the world of veterinary medicine over the years, and a rapidly increasing standard of care that our dogs and cats are able to receive.This has, for the most part, had a really positive impact on the health of our pets.There are, however, some downsides with the increase in technology, equipment, and skills available meaning that, along with climbing bills, making the decision on what is best for your family has become increasingly more complex.Having a veterinarian you know and trust has never been more important...Head over to the show notes for more

Veterinary Care Has Changed and YOUR Relationship With Your Veterinarian Has Never Been More Important - with Dr. Bryan Gregor

Would you be able to afford a large veterinary bill if your pet suddenly became injured or unwell?The last thing any pet parent wants is to be forced to make medical decisions based on what they can afford rather than what is in their dog or cat’s best interest. Something I come across all too regularly in the veterinary clinic.Make no mistake, planning for unexpected costs ahead of time could very well be the difference between your pet’s life and death…In this fantastic interview with Catherine from the pet insurance comparison site Fursure, we discuss everything a pet parent needs to know about to make sure that they are able to choose the best pet insurance policy for their furry family, as well as the other financial options available:What is pet insurance for?What is the best age to get insurance?An explanation of preexisting conditions and exclusionsThe different types of pet insurance policies availableHow pet insurance policies differThe excess and copay options that are best to chooseDirect claims vs upfront payment and reimbursementThe benefits of using a pet insurance comparison serviceAlternatives to pet insuranceCheck out all of the details, links, and more in the companion blog

Planning for the Worst Could Save Your Pet's Life - a complete guide to pet insurance and alternatives with Catherine from Fursure

Are you the “alpha” of your home pack or does your dog dictate the order of the day? Our dogs are part of the family, but is the way we treat them at home actually making them confused, anxious, and unhappy?The fact is that dogs are dogs. And as obvious as this sounds, so many are treated like children which can lead to a whole range of different behavioral problems that impact the entire family.When you hear the term “alpha” you may think, like me, about the need to punish, shout, or physically dominate your dog. Actions that are nothing but detrimental to your relationship and your dog’s well-being.There is another kinder, gentler way of becoming the leader of your home “pack” that ensures your dog really is living their best life both physically AND emotionally.In today&apos;s episode I’m joined by dog trainer Doggy Dan as we discuss:How to set boundaries for your dog, and why it is importantWhy parenting and dog training are very similarThe gentle way to become pack leaderGiving pats, cuddles, and affection valueThe dog-owner pecking orderOnline dog training resourcesHow to become a dog trainerAll too often we focus on physical health without recognizing the importance of our dog’s emotional health.Make the change today!You can find all the links and resources discussed over at callthevet.org

Pats, Cuddles, and Affection - The Gentle Way to Train Your Dog with Doggy Dan

Have you ever found yourself standing in the pet food aisle utterly confused about what to feed your dog? It can seem almost impossible to decipher all of the marketing terms, ingredients list, and all the small print on the packaging.And so today we’re going to go on a journey of discovery. To highlight the information that is really important and shed light on the tricks and tactics that pet food manufacturers use to convince you to buy their diet. All so that you can choose the best diet for your furry family.Head over to the show notes to dive deeper into how to read dog food labels.And if you think that commercial pet food is not the right choice for your dog, be sure to get your free copy of my guide I&apos;m a Dog, Feed Me Raw - the benefits and risks of feeding rad diets vs kibble

How to Read Dog Food Labels (and The Tricks To Avoid)

You don&apos;t want to hear this but the chances are better than not that your dog or cat will suffer from arthritis during their life. You owe it to them to recognize their pain as early as possible and then take the steps needed to ensure their comfort and quality of life are maintained. Thankfully, there is so much that we can do, and some of the steps that have the biggest impact are completely free!

Hidden Pain Doesn't Have To Rule Their Life - with Dr. Hannah Capon from Canine Arthritis Management

Every year, the number of animals euthanized in the shelter population is equivalent to twice the population of San Francisco.Combine this with the fact that only 3% of all charity donations go to help animals and the environment combined and you can see that there is plenty of work to be done.There is hope, and we can all make a difference. The reality is that the conversation needs to change from helping with people OR animals to people AND animals.The benefits of bringing a rescue dog or cat (or rabbit or horse…) into our lives can be unbelievably powerful. This simple decision has the potential to be truly life-changing.Carol Novello, and her organization Mutual Rescue, collect stories of the transformative effect that rescue animals have been proven to have time and again.And for those of us who don’t have space in our homes for a new furry family member, Carol gives us the language, avenues, and permission needed to support the global pet population in a way that will pay us back and improve the world many times over.Head over to the show notes for all the links discussed and to dive into the world of rescue animals.

The Difference Animals Make to Our Lives (and the power of rescue) - with Carol Novello

Getting your female dog spayed is something all owners need to consider, and as well as making sure the timing is right, choosing the best surgical technique for your dog is really important if you want the lowest chance of complications and the fastest recovery.Laparoscopic (or keyhole) surgery is becoming increasingly available, but while it does provide some clear benefits over the traditional surgical technique it is not the right option for every dog.For a deeper dive into spaying your dog, be sure to head over to the full show notes.

Through A Keyhole - But Is Your Dog Too Old?

Have you ever considered the impact that your pet dog or cat has on the environment?Are you wondering how you can reduce their ecological pawprint?The fact is that, depending on how you are caring for your pet, their carbon footprint due to diet alone could be very similar to yours! Thankfully though, some simple changes you can make today will make a hugely significant difference over the lifetime of your pet.In this wide-ranging interview we discuss:How your pet contributes to climate change and their ecological impactOptions you can take to be more green, including:Diet choicesSustainable pet accessory optionsParasite controlThe impact of climate change on both animal and human health and disease control challengesHow the veterinary industry is adapting to be more environmentally consciousThe 3 big changes you can make todayCheck out the full show notes for more information and links discussed

Sustainable Pet Parenting to Save the Planet - with Dr. Madi Hewitson

Knowing the best way to look after your pet can be a real challenge. Join veterinarian, Dr. Alex Avery, as he shares his years of pet health experience with you in this Q+A show. Answering all your dog and cat health questions so you can better understand how to keep your pet as healthy as possible. From preventing disease and daily healthcare, all the way through to understanding the best options for treatment if sickness or injury strikes! Make the best choices possible by knowing the ins and outs of every option. This podcast is a must-listen for every dog and cat owner who wants the best for their pet!

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Call the Vet with Dr. Alex Avery

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