Many pet parents aren’t aware that their loyal companions are overweight. To the untrained eye obesity can look like just a few extra pounds. Our experienced veterinarians can identify when your pet’s weight is disrupting their health and life. To tackle your pet’s weight issues, lifelong adjustments must be made to their lifestyle and diet while still ensuring they get the right amount of nutrients.
How will I know if my pet is overweight or obese?
Having a veterinarian examine your pet is the best way to determine if they are overweight or obese. The difference between your pet being overweight and obese is the amount of excess body fat that your pet has. The doctor can determine their ideal weight according to their size, breed and age. If your pet is 10 to 20% above their ideal body weight then they are overweight. A pet that is over 20% of their ideal body weight is classified as obese.
What are the risks associated with my pet being overweight?
Excess body fat shortens your pet’s life by as much as two years. When they are overweight their organs struggle to function and their health begins to decline. The excess fat cells in pets contribute to inflammation and pain which means your pet will experience discomfort. Your pet is likely to develop different illnesses such as:
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Urinary bladder stone
- Cancer
- Respiratory disease
How many treats should I be giving my pet?
The amount of treats your pet eats daily should count for no more than 10% of their daily calories. When your pet has more than the recommended amount of treats it encourages a nutrition imbalance. Our team encourages pet parents to find other ways to reward good behaviour such as giving them positive interactions. For instance when training your pet you can praise and play with them instead of rewarding them with treats. You should also avoid giving your pet pieces of your food as it can contribute to their weight problem. To learn other tactics to control your pet’s weight, reach out to our team at 705-434-2226.
