Effective Management Plans for Overweight Pets | Healthy Weight Tips & Care
Management Plans of Overweight Pets Recent studies have shown that up to a third of Australian cats and dogs are now considered overweight. Dogs are more likely than cats to have weight problems, and older pets, as well as those neutered or living in single-pet households, are also at a higher risk. Unfortunately, certain breeds are more prone to obesity, but this doesn’t mean it can’t be avoided.
Here’s some information on diagnosing and treating obesity in your pets.
Is My Pet Overweight?
To check if your pet is overweight, start by feeling around their ribcage and spine. In a healthy animal, you should be able to feel their bone structure through only a thin layer of fat. If you can’t find the ribcage at all, then you definitely have an overweight pet.
If you know the optimal weight for your pet’s age and breed, then you can weigh them at home. Step on a scale to read your weight and then step back on while holding your pet – their weight will be the difference between the two sums. As a general rule, if your pet is 15%or more over its optimal weight, it is considered overweight. Above 15% are categorised as obese.
What Are the Risks?
An overweight pet has a shorter life expectancy and a poorer quality of life overall than a pet of a healthy weight. The health risks to an overweight animal include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory problems. In addition to these, carrying that extra weight around will cause excessive wear on your pet’s joints and ligaments. Not only will your pet be less happy, but it could also leave you with substantial costs, including surgical bills and additional veterinary visits.
Step One – Diet
The first step in managing your pet’s weight is to get everyone in the household on board with the diet plan. Ensure that no one feels sorry for your overweight pet and sneaks it extra treats or supplementary food, as this will make it harder to achieve weight loss goals. Get advice from your vet on how much energy your furry friend needs from food, and make sure they are still getting the nutrition they need while on their new diet. Portion control is an easy way to lower calorie intake, so try cutting your daily food intake by 20-30% as a first step. For help and guidance, sign up for Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital’s free weight loss clinics for pets.
Step Two – Exercise
The second part of the weight management plan involves increasing exercise. For dogs, this is a simple matter of taking longer and more frequent walks, but for cats, it’s a little trickier. Try adding height to your cat’s play area with vertical scratching posts and playing areas. Invest in a few more toys and encourage the whole family to play with the cat as much as possible. Bring out its instinct to hunt using lights, wands and other moving objects. Make meal times into an aerobic adventure by dividing food into smaller portions and hiding them around the house.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Once you begin to achieve success in your pet’s weight management plan, it’s crucial to maintain this new routine. Continue to keep treats to a minimum and get as much exercise as possible. Getting the whole family into the habit of taking care of your pet’s health is essential for maintaining weight loss.
If you’re interested in discussing a diet plan for your pet, please call Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital. It provides veterinary services to Port Kennedy and the surrounding suburbs. You can now visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.
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