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One. Watch Their Weight. An estimated 60 percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs are over-weight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
觀察他們的體重。據英國寵物肥胖預防協會估計，60%的貓和56%的狗超重或肥胖。
That can lead to big trouble. "Excess weight increases the risk of conditions like diabetes, some cancers, and certain breathing problems,
這會導致出現大問題。超重會增加患糖尿病、某些癌癥和某些呼吸疾病的風險，
while the extra strain on joints can hasten the onset and worsen the severity of arthritis,"
而關節的額外壓力會加速關節炎的發病，加重關節炎的嚴重程度。”
says Jo Gale, global scientific advocacy and stake-holder relations manager for Mars Petcare.
瑪氏寵物護理公司的全球科學倡導和股東關系經理喬·蓋爾說道。
One study found that being overweight shortened dogs' life spans by up to 2.5 years compared with ideal-weight canine peers.
一個研究發現，和理想體重的犬類同類相比，超重會使狗減少2.5年的壽命。
How can you tell whether your pet needs to drop some pounds?
怎么判斷你的寵物是否需要減重呢？
When you look at your dog or cat from above, you should see a distinct tuck at the waistline, and you should be able to feel (but not see) the ribs.
當你從上面看你的狗或貓的時候，你應該能看到腰部有一個明顯的褶，你應該能感覺到(但不能看到)肋骨。
If not, a few small changes could help: Walk your dog a few extra blocks a day, limit treats, and weigh your dog or cat regularly.
如果不是這樣，一些小的改變就有用：每天多遛狗走幾個街區，少吃零食，定期稱狗或貓的體重。
Two. Visit the Vet. As with humans, early exams can spot problems soon enough for successful treatment.
去看獸醫。和人類一樣，早期的檢查可以盡早發現問題，以成功接受治療。
"Because pets age more quickly than humans, issues can creep up fast,"
“因為寵物比人類老化的速度更快，問題會迅速加重。”
says Pete Lands, DVM, director of emergency and critical care at Saint Francis Veterinary Center in Swedesboro, New Jersey.
新澤西斯韋茲伯勒圣弗朗西斯獸醫中心的緊急和重癥監護主任皮特·蘭德斯說。
Keep up on routine treatments such as vaccinations and deworming.
堅持常規治療，如接種疫苗和除蟲。
Or consider a cat or dog wellness plan, which includes exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and tests.
或者考慮一個貓或狗的健康計劃，這包括進行檢查，接受疫苗，洗牙和進行測驗。
Three. Don't Fret About Gluten. Pets have specific nutritional requirements to stay healthy—most cats need to eat meat every day to get their protein.
不要擔心麩質。寵物有特定的營養需求來保持健康——大多數貓需要每天吃肉來獲取蛋白質。
But just like the human world, the pet world has its fair share of dietary crazes, most of which you should ignore.
但就像人類世界一樣，寵物世界也有自己的飲食狂熱，你應該忽視其中的大部分。
For instance, there are plenty of gluten-free dog foods for sale now,
比如，現在有很多的無麩質狗糧可以購買，
but gluten allergies seem to be "extremely rare" in pets, according to a report published by Tufts University.
但根據塔夫茨大學發表的一份報告，麩質過敏癥在寵物身上似乎“極為罕見”。
Visit petfoodinstitute.org for more dietary information.
獲取更多的飲食信息，請訪問“petfoodinstitute.org”。
Four. Make an Exercise Plan. Pets need daily workouts to stay healthy, so a formal exercise regime is a good idea.
制定一個鍛煉計劃。寵物需要進行每日的鍛煉來保持健康，因此一個正式的鍛煉計劃是個好主意。
Aim for between 30 minutes and two hours of daily activity, such as walking or running, recommends petmd.com.
在線寵物健康咨詢網建議，每天運動30分鐘到兩個小時，比如走路或跑步。
Athletic breeds such as German shepherds and collies will require more exercise, while smaller dogs such as bulldogs can benefit from a short walk around the neighborhood.
像體格健壯的德國牧羊犬和牧羊犬等品種的狗將需要更多的鍛煉，而較小的狗，如斗牛犬可以受益于附近的短步行。
You can stimulate your cat by playing with a laser pointer (avoid aiming it at your cat's eyes), providing catnip-infused toys, or adding perches to your home.
你可以用激光棒增加貓的運動（避免用激光照射貓的眼睛），提供樟腦草填充玩具，或增加你家的棲木。
And believe it or not, GPS- or WiFi-enabled devices can track your pet's steps, calories burned, heart rate, and other indicators.
而且，信不信由你，裝有GPS或者可以連接無線網的設備可以記錄你的寵物的步數，燃燒的卡路里，心率，和其他的指標。
