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\nBut pets are often the real losers when we show this kind of love. Overweight dogs have been shown to live an average of two years less<\/em> than their lean counterparts. And extra weight puts pets at risk for all kinds of health problems, from diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure to heart and lung disease, cranial cruciate ligament injury and numerous types of cancer.<\/p>\n So if you really want to show your pet how much you love him or her, consider switching to healthy, low-calorie treats. And remember, if you don\u2019t want your pet\u2019s diet to become unbalanced, treats should never account for more than 10 percent of the total calorie allotment for the day. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian how many calories your pet should be eating daily, and if there\u2019s a treat available from your favorite pet food manufacturer, don\u2019t hesitate to ask about it as well.<\/p>\n Most dogs are more than happy to crunch on a raw carrot. Same goes for green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, celery, cucumber, zucchini and even cubes of baked sweet potato. You can slice \u2019em, dice \u2019em and even cook vegetables, too. And there\u2019s no need for butter, salt or candied sauce \u2014 most dogs like veggies just the way they are.<\/p>\n Popular fruits for dogs include bananas, pears and apples (just make sure to remove the apple seeds, which can contain small amounts of cyanide). Strawberries, raspberries, oranges and blueberries are OK too. You can even puree fruits like pumpkins<\/a> and seedless watermelons and freeze them inside a\u00a0Kong<\/a>. Just don\u2019t go overboard because too many fruits and vegetables could lead to gastrointestinal upset.<\/p>\n A handful of air-popped popcorn, without added salt, is another low-calorie alternative.<\/p>\n There are, however, some fruits and vegetables you definitely don\u2019t want to give dogs because of potential toxicity. These include grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic, chives and leeks. It\u2019s also best to avoid fruits with large pits, which could pose a choking hazard or result in a digestive tract obstruction.<\/p>\n Cats, being carnivores, are all about lean meats and fish. A few bites of salmon, tuna or lean chicken will most likely elicit a purr. Raw vegetables, including carrots, green beans and broccoli are fine as long as they are cut into tiny pieces. To avoid a choking hazard, cooking the vegetables may be a better option. A spoonful of canned pumpkin (without added spices) can provide your kitty with added moisture and fiber, too.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, many cats are fond of fruits such as cantaloupe and watermelon. But it\u2019s not the sugary flavor they\u2019re after, since cats can\u2019t taste sweetness<\/a>.<\/p>\n Garlic, onions, chives and leeks are also on the no-no list for cats because of potential toxicity.<\/p>\n With so many healthy options for your pets, you can treat them with love and still help them keep their svelte shape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nFOR DOGS, THINK FRUITS AND VEGGIES<\/h3>\n
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\nWHAT ABOUT CAT TREATS?<\/h3>\n