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Humans aren’t the only ones that gain a little weight over the holidays! Between Christmas and Thanksgiving, it’s a lot more likely that Fido will find a tasty treat on the floor (or one of your extended family members will slip him a piece of turkey!) As much as we want our pets to celebrate the season with us, it’s more important than ever not to let them overindulge.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), each pound of weight on a dog is equivalent to 5 to 7 pounds on a person and each pound of weight gained on a cat equals to 7 to 10 pounds! Did you know a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man? Yikes! Their website has a handy list of pet-to-human weight equivalents so you can tell just how much your fur friend would weigh if it walked on two legs!

In addition to weight gain, remember that every time you suddenly change your pet’s diet, you can cause gastrointestinal upset – the dreaded vomiting and diarrhea. Fatty and rich foods can also lead to pancreatitis like with poor Buddy and the $10,000 burrito! If you do decide to slip Fido a little extra something, make sure you avoid foods that are toxic to pets (like grapes, raisins, some nuts and chocolate.

We know from experience that sometimes, despite our best efforts, pet weight gain just happens. If that was the case for you this holiday season, put your pet to the test with its own New Year’s Resolution! Have your pet resolve to go for a run five days each week or give diet pet food a try. Who knows — giving your pet a goal for the New Year might even help you reach your own!

For more information on Hartz Flea Control products for cats and dogs, logon to www.hartz.com