Adoption




 WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MY PET ENJOYS EATING. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE IF MY PET IS OVERWEIGHT?
Overweight pets suffer more physical ailments and do not live as long as pets of average weight. Otherwise minor problems can become serious when complicated by obesity.
Obese animals have an increased incidence of:

  • Cancer
  • Arthritis, spinal disc problems, and joint disease
  • Lung disease
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Diabetes
  • Constipation, excessive gas, and pancreatitis
  • Risk with surgery and anesthesia
  • Heat intolerance
  • Skin disease
  • Susceptibility to infectious diseases
  • Exercise intolerance
WHAT CAUSES OBESITY?
The cause is simple. More calories are being consumed than the body needs for maintenance and the excess calories are being stored as fat. Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism, can contribute to obesity but the most common causes are overeating and inadequate exercise.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PET IS OVERWEIGHT?
The amount of tissue overlying the rib cage is the most practical way to evaluate your pet. Your pet is thin or normal if its ribs are easy to feel, overweight if the ribs are difficult to feel, and dangerously obese if the ribs cannot be felt at all.

MY PET IS ALWAYS HUNGRY. DOESN’T THAT MEAN MY PET NEEDS MORE FOOD?
Eating is fun (as many of us humans know) and often too enjoyable for some individuals’ own good. If your pet is overweight, too many calories are being consumed.

I FEED MY PET VERY LITTLE. HOW CAN MY PET BE OVERWEIGHT?
This may be an indication for thyroid or other chemical testing, although individual caloric requirements vary significantly.

HOW CAN I GET MY PET TO LOSE WEIGHT?
Before beginning a weight reduction program for your pet, an examination by your veterinarian is recommended. This will rule out the presence of conditions that resemble obesity, such as fluid retention. It is important to confirm that your pet is really overweight, and not showing symptoms of heart, kidney, or other diseases.

DO I HAVE TO CUT BACK ON FOOD? CAN’T I JUST INCREASE EXERCISE?
Sorry, but exercise alone will not be enough. Although adequate exercise is important for good health, it requires a lot of exercise to burn up many calories. No weight loss program will be successful without decreasing caloric intake. We realize how difficult it is to refuse food when our pet is looking at us and begging, but remind yourself of the benefits.

CAN I STILL GIVE TREATS?
There’s nothing wrong with treats but there are some dos and don’ts.
Give treats for good behaviors, not for begging.
Give very small amounts. It’s the act, not the size, that counts.
Give low calorie treats.

  • High: Beggin Strips, Bonz, Meaty Bone, Pup-Peroni, Jerky
  • Low: Science Diet treats, vegetables

IS IT REALLY WORTH ALL THE TROUBLE?
Definitely! It’s not always easy, but weight reduction will lessen physical problems, improve appearance, lengthen life, and lower your future health care costs for your pet.
If you’re not getting results, do not get discouraged. Call us!

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