Weight Management for Pets

As your pet’s caregiver, one of the many ways you demonstrate your love is by ensuring they are adequately fed. Many loyal companions are either overweight or obese. Our hospital’s job is to ensure your pet’s food keeps them healthy. Our veterinary care team is experienced in creating weight loss plans to get your pet to their ideal weight.

How do I know if my pet is overweight?

If your pet consumes a lot of calories each day and gets little exercise, they will gain weight. You’ll notice your pet’s abdomen getting rounder or even wider than their shoulders. A veterinarian can tell if your pet is overweight or obese. We use a simple method to tell the difference. Each pet has an ideal body weight based on their breed, age, and size. If your pet’s weight is less than 20% over their ideal weight, they are overweight. But, if it’s more than 20% over, they are considered obese.

What health issues are common in overweight pets?

When your pet is overweight, they have excess fat which can affect how their body functions. Obese and overweight pets often have the following health problems:

1.    Diabetes
2.    High blood pressure
3.    Osteoarthritis
4.    Urinary bladder disease
5.    Cancer

What does weight management include?

It’s important that each patient has a weight loss plan tailored to their lifestyle. Our veterinarians will work with you to understand your pet’s diet and lifestyle and make recommendations. Weight management will include low-calorie foods that are delicious and healthy, daily exercise, limiting your pet’s treats, and saying no when your pet begs for table scraps. To monitor your pet’s progress, our team will schedule routine weigh-ins until your pet reaches their ideal weight.