Helping Your Overweight Pet to Slim Down

Obesity is quite common amongst our four-legged friends. Is your animal companion looking a little too round? Plump pets may be adorable, but they’re not healthy! Here, your Springdale, ON veterinarian tells you how to help your pet lose the excess weight.

See Your Vet

Before taking any action, set up an appointment to have your pet examined at the vet’s office. Your veterinarian can confirm that your pet is, in fact, overweight. From there, you’ll work together to develop a tailored diet and exercise plan just for your furry friend.

Portion Control

Many pets can start to lose weight simply by practicing proper portion control. This means measuring out the amount of kibble you give to your cat or dog, and removing uneaten food after a specified period of time. This way, your pet can’t overeat. Consult your veterinarian to find out about the proper portion size for your animal friend.

Diet Upgrade

If a pet is eating a budget food that contains a lot of empty calories, they’re probably packing on pounds far too easily. Upgrading your pet to a well-balanced, nutritionally complete premium diet is often necessary to give them the proper nutrients without a lot of waste. Ask your vet for a recommendation on a quality food for your pet’s nutritional needs.

Daily Exercise

What diet plan is complete without exercise? This is perhaps the single most important step for getting your pet to shed the excess pounds! Get your pet moving on a daily basis; this means taking your dog for walks around the neighborhood, playing with your cat on the living room floor with a piece of string, or tossing around a toy for your pet to fetch. Several minutes of physical activity per day is essential for burning excess calories and ultimately helping your pet slim down.

Treat Tips

Do you catch yourself giving treats to your pet for no real reason? This is only providing them with more empty calories that they don’t need. Do your best to keep treats as rewards for good behavior or for use during training sessions. Also beware of overdoing fatty table scraps—not only are they not good for your pet’s weight, too much fat at once can cause serious health problems!

Do you have questions about your pet’s weight or nutritional requirements? We’re here for you. Call your Springdale, ON animal hospital today for help!