Weight Management
Humans aren’t the only ones who gain weight! Unfortunately, it is very common for cats and dogs to become overweight or obese. Our veterinary team offers the support you need to keep your pet’s weight on track, so you can offer your pet the best possible quality of life.
What is a healthy weight for my pet?
Ideal body weight depends on different factors like breed, size, age and body shape. Your veterinarian can tell you what your pet’s ideal weight should be. When an animal’s body weight exceeds its normal weight by 15%, it is considered obese.
If your pet is a healthy weight, you should be able to feel its ribs when you pat it down, but you shouldn’t be able to see them. From above, you should notice a slight dip at the sides.
How does my pet’s excess weight affect their health?
If unaddressed, weight issues can lead to illness, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, hypertension, obesity and even skin problems. These will affect your pet’s quality of life and decrease life expectancy.
How can I help my pet lose weight?
The first thing to do is to make an appointment with our team of animal health professionals. We can develop a program tailored to your pet and their needs. A bit of patience is required too. Your pet won’t shed all those extra pounds overnight. We will likely change foods to a lower-calorie food, making sure your pet is still getting a healthy, balanced diet. We will also set an amount of food per day, and talk about the treats and table scraps issues with you. We have a range of food puzzles as well, so that your pet can expend energy while eating, and eat more slowly. We will also recommend an exercise regimen to get your pet moving more. Our team will establish a schedule for follow-up appointments, so we can monitor your pet’s weight loss and make sure everything is progressing well.
