October 1-7th is National Walk Your Dog Week
Most dogs are always excited to go for a walk no matter what the conditions: drizzle, cold, heat. Just say the word “walkies” and their tails start wagging like mad. Yet many pet owners often don’t feel as excited about heading out for a walk when the weather’s bad, they feel stuck for time or they simply need an extra hour’s sleep. Many reluctantly drag themselves out the door and get the walk done as fast as possible. However, in doing so, pet owners don’t just deny their pets some important daily exercise that helps keep dogs fit, healthy and happy. They equally deny themselves an easy daily activity that has tremendous benefits for human health. Walking Helps Reduce Blood PressureRegular daily walks have been shown to help lower high blood pressure (HBP) and, by association, HBP-related health risks like heart disease and stroke, and they don’t need to be marathon walks. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity like dog-walking (done five days a week) helps lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. Walking Boosts HappinessWhile walking combines several mood-elevating elements like fresh air, nature and the chance to buy some snappy new sneakers, walking helps boost serotonin, one of four natural brain chemicals commonly called the “feel-good chemicals.” In studies published in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, researchers revealed that exercise helps boost serotonin levels by increasing brain levels of tryptophan, an amino acid used in the natural manufacture of serotonin. Walking Improves BalanceAs people get older, their sense of balance tends to get worse. Compounding this, certain medical conditions, medications and lack of flexibility can further deteriorate balance. All of this combines to increase the risk of falling (particularly with adults age 65 or older), and according to the World Health Organization:
Walking Helps Control Blood-Sugar LevelsAccording to the American Diabetes Association, low-impact exercise like walking helps reduce and control blood-sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Walking can also help keep blood-sugar levels under control for up to 24 hours after a workout. The key to optimizing walking for diabetes prevention and control is regularity. According to joint studies by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association, individuals with type 2 diabetes should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. And this recommendation aligns with the American Heart Association’s guidelines for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity done five days per week. Walking Improves Management of Joint and Muscle PainWhen joints ache and muscles are sore, people naturally tend to avoid walking and other activities that may aggravate the situation. Yet according to Harvard Medical School, walking helps ease joint and muscle pain—even in people with arthritis. Walking also helps increase muscle flexibility and keeps bone and cartilage tissues strong and healthy.
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Safely celebrate Thanksgiving by not sharing these 7 foods with your pets, no matter how much they stare at you with those adorable eyes. Be strong! :)
1. Cinnamon Though shown to be beneficial to human health, cinnamon can cause problems for pets when consumed in large amounts as a powder or smaller amounts as an essential oil. Cinnamon overdose can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, low blood sugar and heart rate changes. 2. Nutmeg As an essential spice to pumpkin pie and other seasonal dishes, nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin, which can cause stomach upset in dogs and cats if ingested in small amounts. In large amounts, myristicin can cause symptoms ranging from disorientation and high blood pressure to increased heart rate and seizures. 3. Onions Onions contain a substance called thiosulphate, which causes a form of anemia in dogs and cats due to an abnormal breakdown of red blood cells. And onions don’t have to be raw to be potentially lethal to pets. Toxicity can occur from fried, dehydrated or powdered onions in food, though signs and symptoms may not appear right away. 4. Garlic Like onions, garlic contains the compound thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs, though signs and symptoms may have a delayed onset. And just a little can be deadly, since garlic contains significantly higher concentrations of thiosulphate than onions 5. Chocolate In large amounts, chocolate can be fatal to dogs and cats. Theobromine, a compound similar to caffeine and found in all forms of chocolate (dry cocoa powder, baking chocolate, cacao and candy bars, as well as tea, cola beverages and açaí berries) is considered toxic…and tempting, especially when left sitting unguarded on coffee tables. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. 6. Fatty Turkey and Bones Although turkey is generally a good lean protein for dogs and cats, stick with small amounts of white meat that’s had the skin removed. Dark meat has more fat that can exacerbate pet obesity and cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Also, remove any bones, which can lodge in your pet’s throat, stomach or intestine to cause serious damage and complications. 7. Foods Sweetened with Xylitol As a sugar substitute found in diet baked goods, gum, candies and other foods, xylitol is safe for human consumption. Yet for dogs, xylitol can be lethal. Xylitol is rapidly absorbed into a pet’s bloodstream and can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver failure, seizures and even death in dogs. Here’s to a safe, warm and memorable Thanksgiving for both you and your pets! We use to celebrate RVT week but last year the celebrations grew to a whole month!
What is a RVT you ask? A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is an educated, trained professional who assists veterinarians in providing quality patient care. They have completed a 2 or 3 year accredited Veterinary Technology Program, passed the national exam and maintain their registration with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT). The responsibilities of a RVT range from technical duties (nursing care, performing diagnostic laboratory tests, monitoring anesthesia and radiographs) to managerial duties (ordering, inventory, record keeping and client education) Did you know?
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