Keep Pets Happy and Healthy

It’s no secret, we are a nation of pet lovers, but are we risking our animal’s health by not keep their weight in check?

A recent report looking at 200 vets and 1000 pet owners has revealed that a shocking amount of our cats and dogs are now classified as obese.

The PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturers Association), which carried out the research, has called for action to encourage owners to start exercising their pets more.

Vets reported that around 45% of dogs and 40% of cats they saw were overweight or obese, however, 63% of the pet owners questioned were under the impression that their pet was actually at the right weight.

This percentage has increased dramatically over the last 5 years, and treatment for pet obesity is now thought to be costing the UK’s pet owners around £215 million a year.

The good news is that if you keep your pet healthy, happy and out of trouble with exercise it can be a lot of fun and have numerous benefits for both you and your furry friend.

Generally speaking, dogs need 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, and rabbit owners should be exercising their pets for at least 4 hours each day.

Cats are not so demanding and will be happy if you dedicate some time to playing with their toys in the garden.

Giving your pet their daily recommended amount of exercise doesn’t have to be demanding or inconvenient. If your pet doesn’t enjoy the company of other animals, or you’d rather not run around the local park, then you can keep your pet happy and healthy right on your doorstep.

Installing artificial grass in your garden is the perfect solution for pets and their owners.

You may be familiar with that awful feeling when you have spent days trimming, mowing and perfecting your lawn, only to see your dog or cat digging it up hours later. No matter what, your artificial grass lawn will not suffer at all from your pet’s activities. Simply give your garden a hose down to remove any waste and odours, and it will stay fresh, lush and green all year round.

Even during the rainy season pets will be happy to run around and play on the soft lawn, as artificial grass means no puddles and no mud! This is great for smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs that may find it especially hard to contend with muddy bogs when out in the garden. What’s more – you won’t need to think twice about clearing up muddy paw prints after you’ve been outside with your pet!

Pesticides and fertilisers are essential for keeping natural grass looking lush and green however they can be toxic to pets. Artificial grass looks great without any chemicals at all.

Artificial grass is a great way to encourage pets and their owners to explore and exercise outside, and if you’re looking to install a dog-friendly fake lawn then look no further than Artificial Grass Direct – call us on 0845 177 1664 to find out more.