The calendar says it's spring but since it took its sweet time getting here I think we should just bypass that season altogether and move right into summer. Some of us may discover as we slip into our shorts and tank tops for the first time in many months that we've put on a few extra pounds over the winter. And that goes for our pets too!

Dozing off in front of the fire in favour of frolicking in the snow along with one too many doggie treats may have left fido a few pounds over his ideal weight. Now is the time to get your pets back into shape so they can fully enjoy the time they have to spend outdoors with you and their friends.

The best way to keep your pets healthy and happy is to feed them a diet that is nutritious and right for their needs. In this issue of Citizen Pet we will help you better understand pet nutrition and how to make good food choices. We will try to answer your questions such as: What makes a pet food nutritious? How much should I feed my pet and how often? What is a healthy weight for my pet? How do I read a food label? and Should I use nutritional supplements?

We'll talk about the six basic nutrients your dog needs in his diet — protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water — and how each one contributes to his overall health and wellness. We'll address the question of dry versus canned food for cats and we'll discuss the safe and healthy way to help your pets lose weight.

Our Veterinary Q & A talks about West Nile Virus and how to protect your pet from those pesky mosquitoes and our Trainer Q & A gives you some tips on how to handle a pet that displays food aggression.

We'll look at the new Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Program that provides feral cats with the best quality of life possible while preventing the continuance of over population and introduce you to a great new book on becoming the advocate your dog needs to live a long, happy and healthy life.

Now that you're armed with great information on what to feed your pet's body, it's time to feed his soul with a lot of fresh air, sunshine and good times. Enjoy the season!

Sherry
Editor, Citizen Pet