Clinton Parkway

Overweight Management

Many of us have struggled with our weight at one time or another, but we aren’t the only ones facing this problem — more and more often our four-legged friends are also battling the bulge. Pets can easily become overweight and it’s often hard for owners to recognize because the weight gain is so gradual.

Many owners don’t realize the impact a few extra pounds can have. One or two pounds may not sound like much, but for a small dog or cat, this is the equivalent of a person gaining more than 25 pounds.

One out of every two pets is overweight or clinically obese, making obesity the most common disease afflicting our pets.

Health problems associated with obesity

Overweight pets are at higher risk of developing a variety of health problems, including:

• Heart disease
• Breathing problems
• Joint problems
• Skin disease
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Anesthetic and surgical complications
• Increased risks of certain kinds of cancer
• May lead to premature death

Excess weight can reduce the length of a pets’ life by as much as 20% — in humans this would be the equivalent of 15 years.

Helping your pet lighten up

For your pet to lose weight, you must reduce the number of calories he eats while increasing his energy output. By following a supervised program of calorie control and moderate exercise, you can help your dog or cat to lose weight steadily and safely. This approach will leave him feeling full after meals while assuring he receives adequate nutrition.

Helpful tips

• Don’t feed table scraps or “human” food.
• Reward your pet with Prescription Diet Treats as a healthy alternative to fatty or high calorie grocery treats.
• If you have multiple pets, don’t feed your overweight pet at the same time as your other pets.
• Feed your pet before you eat your own meal to prevent begging.
• Provide a variety of toys for him to play with.
• Regular, moderate exercise is very beneficial.
• Have your pet weighed regularly at our hospital to monitor weight loss.

What diet should you feed?

There are a variety of pet foods that have reduced calories to aid in weight reduction. We usually recommend Hills Prescription Diet r/d or Prescription Diet w/d to help keep your pet feeling full with the right balance of fiber. These two products represent the state-of-the the-art in pet nutrition with advancements to help your pet keep lean muscle mass as it burns body fat.

The best way to make sure your dog or cat is happy is to make sure he’s healthy. You can help your pet avoid many problems with an ideal weight for a lifetime of good health.

Weight loss doesn’t come easy

Completing a weight management program successfully is a real challenge. The success or failure depends on how well you stick to the new feeding regimen. Through your efforts, your overweight pet can be healthier, happier and more active for years to come.

Keep your pet trim for life

Once your pet has reached its weight reduction goal, it is important to maintain a healthier, optimal weight. We may recommend a reduced-calorie, high-fiber weight control formula such as Hills Prescription Diet w/d pet food. This diet is very helpful for preventing the recurrence of weight gain.

Website Resources

Petobesityprevention.com

PetFit.com

Slimcat
PetSafe Slimcat Interactive Cat ToySlimCat is a fabulous product from PetSafe. If you have an overweight feline the best thing he or she can do is play with their food. SlimCat is a food distribution ball and a cat toy in one. When your feline plays with the ball, they distribute an adjustable amount of food. They also increase their daily exercise. SlimCat is compatible with most dry cat foods and is dishwasher safe.