Weight Management
Obesity among pets has reached epidemic proportions. 33 million or some 79% of today's pets are overweight. If left untreated, excessive weight, even a few pounds can lead to serious health risks. Some problems might include:
- Heart and Respiratory Disease
- Diabetes Mellitus
- High Blood Pressure
- Arthritis and Joint Problems
So, how do you know if your pet is overweight.
The ideal pet will score between a four and five on the Body Conditioning Scale (BCS). The pet's ribs will be palpable without excessive fat covering them, waist is noticeable, and the abdomen is tucked up when viewing from the side.
On the other hand with the overweight pet you will not be able to feel their ribs, has no waist and has no abdominal tuck. When this pet reaches the obese stage they will have a large amount of fat over the thorax and base of the tail, fat deposits hanging from the waist and abdominal distention.
The most common cause of weight gain can be contributed to one of the following:
- Over-eating/Over-feeding
- Diseases such as Hypothyroidism
- Neutering/Spaying
- Decreased Activity
- Age
What can be done for your overweight pet?
First it a commitment on your part in order for your pet to lose weight. Sometimes a reduction in food or eliminating treats and table scraps along with exercise will do the trick. But there are times that more aggressive measures are needed. The doctor might want to recommend a specialty diet such as Hills R/D or Purina O/M to help reduce your pet's weight.
These are high fiber, low calorie diets combined with exercise can reduce your pet's weight over time.
Also new to market is Slentrol, a once a day weight loss medication that you add to your pet's normal diet.
If you are concerned about your pet and their weight issue, please do not hesitate to discuss it with one of our qualified staff.
Weight Control Products
Is your dog overweight?
Is your cat overweight?