There are medical conditions that can lead to weight gain in pets. However, most otherwise healthy pets are overweight due to excessive calories intake and/or lack of exercise and physical activities.
If your pet is eating a well balanced premium pet diet with no other problems (i.e. good healthy coat, no intestinal issues), you don’t necessarily have to switch diets. Before you rush out to buy a weight loss or light diet, take a look at how much your pet is eating. Getting your pet to a better weight may be as simple as cutting back on the meal portions to the recommended daily amounts.
We are so used to large portions in our own diet that many of us don’t recognize what a cup of food looks like.
A cup can mean different things to different people --- from a 4 oz water cooler cup to a 10 oz party cup to a 16 oz mug.
Use a measuring cup to get an idea of how much is in the cup or scoop you are currently using.
Once you figure out how much food is in those cups and scoops, you can continue to use them.
Compare the amount of food your pet is eating to the recommended amount on the food packaging for your pet’s weight. If your pet is obese, not just overweight, check with your family veterinarian for advice. You may need to use your pet’s ideal weight, not the current weight, to determine the recommended allowance.
If you are feeding more than recommended, you can gradually cut back. For example, Elaine is overweight at 54 pounds and I am feeding her 2 cups of dry food twice daily. If the recommended amount is 3 cups per day, I can cut her back to 2 cups in the morning and 1+1/2 cup in the evening for several days then go to 1+1/2 cups twice daily thereafter.
If your pet is eating the recommended amount or more but he/she is losing weight, consult with your family veterinarian. There may not be anything serious, but weight loss in face of a good appetite usually requires veterinary attention, not just diet changes.
If your otherwise healthy pet is eating less than the recommended amount but is still overweight, do one or more of the following:
- Gradually switch over to one of the over-the-counter weight loss diet (and stick to the recommended amount).
- Evaluate other sources of calories besides meals i.e. table scraps and treats.
- Look at your pet’s exercise or physical activity level. Can that be improved?
- Consult with your family veterinarian.
Most diets are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of pets based on the recommended amounts on the packaging. Feeding your pets less of the same diet may not be the best weight loss plan if that means feeding too far below the recommended amounts. Over time, this practice may lead to nutritional deficiencies. For those pets, your family veterinarian will be able to recommend diets specifically formulated to meet your pet’s weight loss needs.
As with any changes, whether it is diet or medical treatment, monitor your pet’s response. Some pets may need more frequent weight checks but most will be fine with monthly to every 3 months.
Even though the answer to your pet’s excess weight problem may be as simple as feeding the recommended amount or switching to a weight loss diet, you should still discuss the diet with your family veterinarian. The family veterinarian will be able to help you monitor progress as well as detect any problems that may surface as your pet’s weight changes.
No comments:
Post a Comment