Did you know that approximately 45% of pets brought to veterinary clinics are overweight? It’s true. These are some guidelines that I follow when determining if a pet needs to go on a diet…
1. Feel your pets rib cage. You should be able to feel individual ribs. If not your pet is overweight.
2. Stand over your pet. Does it have and hourglass figure? If not your pet is overweight.
3. Look at your pet from the side. Is there a tuck at the abdomen? If not your pet is overweight.
These are some quick things that you can do to see if your pet is overweight. Now as for putting your pet on a diet that is another issue. First switch your pet (slowly over a week or two) to a reduced calorie diet. Two of my favorites are R/d by Hill’s or Calorie Control by Royal Canin. Take your pet to your veterinary clinic, talk to the staff there and weigh your pet. Both of these companies offer pamphlets that help to determine what your pet should be eating to lose weight.
Some other tips to help lose the weight are exercise, small frequent meals (so your pet feels full all day instead of being a voracious eater at one meal and hungry the rest of the day), feed carrots or low calorie treats and exercise. Some people ask how can I get my cat to exercise…..sure its easy for the dog people they just have to walk the dog but what about my cat. I offer the following suggestions……
Put the food bowl up or downstairs so your cat has to do the "stair" workout. Use enticing toys like laser pointers, feathers on strings or flicking sticks to get your cat to move around.
Just like with humans it is important to lose the weight at a decent rate. Most will agree that 10% a month in weight loss is a steady rate. I also encourage people to take their pet into their veterinary clinic once a month to get weighed and talk with the staff with regards to any questions you may have or to adjust the amount of food that your pet will get daily.
Remember, losing weight is never easy for humans or pets but with perseverance and the assistance of a good diet and the help of your veterinary staff you can do it and so can your pet.