Get out and get moving . . . and back away from the treat jar.

With the holidays and 2020 officially behind us, and with “getting in shape” being a perennially popular resolution for the new year, it’s little wonder that January is both Walk Your Pet month and Weight Loss Awareness month. It just makes sense in the 2 + 2 = 4 kind of way.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), in 2018 an estimated 60 percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the United States were overweight or obese. Just like in people, overweight pets are at an increased risk of developing health issues, including diabetes, arthritis, cancer and high blood pressure, in addition to being too tired and run down to enjoy daily activities.
Complicating the situation, Hill’s Pet Nutrition found that 90 percent of pet parents with an overweight pet don’t realize it. Each excess pound on a cat is equal to approximately 15 pounds on an average adult woman and 17 pounds on an average adult man.
The solution? Generally speaking, a combination of more exercise and less food helps send the pounds packing. As in showing love by lacing up your sneakers and throwing on a leash, instead of breaking out the treat bag.
Pet parents wondering if their pet is overweight or obese can find a weight check tool on APOP’s web site at https://petobesityprevention.org/pet-weight-check. Not intended for diagnosis, the tool should be used as a starting point for a conversation with a veterinarian about a safe slim down plan and ways to keep the weight off.

They won’t rinse and spit and they won’t say “Ahhh”.

To celebrate Pet Dental Health month in February, GWLAH is offering $50 off the total cost of a dental/oral surgery for the first pet and $75 off the total cost of a dental/oral surgery for the second pet. The procedure must be booked before 2/28/21.

Seeing Eye® Dog Designated State Dog of New Jersey

On Jan. 19, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that officially designates The Seeing Eye® dog as the state dog of New Jersey.
All Seeing Eye dogs are born and trained in New Jersey before they are placed with people who are blind across the United States and Canada.
“As The Seeing Eye wraps up its 90th anniversary year, we are so honored that the great state of New Jersey has recognized the important role that Seeing Eye® dogs have in the lives of the people who raise, train and own them,” Seeing Eye President & CEO Glenn Hoagland said. “When our non-profit was founded, few people believed dogs could contribute to the health and wellness of humankind in the myriad of ways they do today. The work of our founders paved the way for acceptance of assistance animals in society, eventually leading to their incorporation into the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
The bill was introduced by state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco; after his death, it was shepherded by his son, state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, and passed the New Jersey Senate and Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support.
Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye dog users experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles despite blindness.
The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests and other planned gifts.

Keep calm and curbside on.

Just a reminder that, due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, we are continuing to provide curbside care for the health and safety of our clients as well as our staff. This allows us to remain open to provide medical care for your pets, while reducing the risk to our staff.
Our office hours for scheduled appointments are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Additionally, please be advised that the emergency hospitals are facing staffing issues due to COVID-19, and this has resulted in some hospitals diverting patients away from their facilities.
If you have a serious emergency requiring immediate care, always call the emergency hospital first to confirm that your pet can be seen.

• Oradell Animal Hospital – 580 Winters Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 262-0010
• BluePearl Pet Hospital – 545 Route 17S, Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 527-6699
• AERA – 1237 Bloomfield Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 (973) 788-0500

As always, thank you for choosing Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital for your pet’s care. Where we treat cold noses with warm hearts.