Benefits of keeping your pet at a healthy weight:
Keeping your pet at a healthy weight lowers their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and even some forms of cancer. It can also reduce the risks of injury to bones, joints and muscles that are associated with excess weight. If your pet has arthritis, keeping them at a healthy weight makes it easier to manage the discomfort associated with joint pain. Excess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years, keeping your pet trim gives them the best chance of a longer, healthier, and pain-free life.
How do I reduce my pet’s weight?
Weight loss involves reducing your pet’s caloric intake and increasing their activity level to burn more calories. Be patient. It often takes longer to lose weight than it did for your pet to gain it.
What food do you recommend for weight loss?
We love Purina Veterinary Diet OM (overweight management) for both dogs and cats. Purina OM is low in fat and calories but rich in protein to help your pet maintain lean body mass. Purina OM is a Veterinary exclusive diet. You can purchase it in clinic or visit our online Purina shop site to have your pet’s food delivered to your front door.
Make your pet’s weight loss fun!
Being more active and living a healthier lifestyle benefits not just your pet but the entire family. Find activities you enjoy that include your pet, and your pets weight loss journey will be more enjoyable for all of you.
Monitor your pets progress.
Once you and your Veterinarian have set reasonable goals to achieve and maintain your pet’s healthy weight, be sure to monitor and record your pet’s progress. With all weight loss programs, there will be successes and there will be missteps. By monitoring and recording your pet’s progress, you can determine what’s working and what’s not effective, and make adjustments as needed.
Maintaining your pet’s healthy weight gives your pet the best chance of living a healthier, longer life as a beloved member of your family.
