Helping Your Pet Lose Weight

Best of luck,
PetSquared.com

Six Basic Steps

Cat owners should consult with a vet before reducing food intake as they are prone to developing Hepatic Lipidosis, commonly referred to as fatty liver disease, if the number of calories they eat is suddenly reduced.

Although the primary cause of pet obesity is over eating, there are medical conditions, such as metabolic imbalances, diabetes, and thyroid problems, that may lead to excess fat production. Blood and urine tests will help diagnose potential physiological issues. If your pet's weight is the result of a medical condition it may require medication to control. Consulting a vet will also help you identify what your pet's ideal weight should be.

Step 2 - Weigh Your Pet
Weigh your pet so you have an accurate benchmark to refer to. Without this measurement you will be unable to measure gradual weight loss throughout the program. Continue to measure your pet weekly while on the weight reduction program.

Step 3 - Review the Ingredients of Your Current Pet Food
Although the right amount of food is important, the right amount of the right food is more important. Take the time to review the ingredients listed on your current pet food label. You may be shocked to find that common commercial dog foods are anywhere from 40% to 60% carbohydrates. If corn is listed as the first ingredient then in all likelihood you have the wrong food. Replace it with a meat-based, higher protein food. Supplements and homeopathic remedies may also help - but be aware of over supplementation. Follow the guidelines list on the label and stop immediately if side effects develop.

In addition, there is growing evidence that more and more pets are developing food allergies to commonly used commercial pet food ingredients, including corn, beef, chicken, and wheat. These allergies may take years to reach a point where they are noticeable. In next month's newsletter we will cover allergies in more depth, but for the time being focus on replacing a low quality food with a dry food with meat as its primary ingredient.

Step 4 - Reduce The Amount of Available Food
As previously mentioned, the primary cause of overweight pets is the ingestion of too much food. Dogs and cats are programmed to eat when food is available. Years of domestication hasn't eliminated this instinct. On the other hand, domestication has almost eradicated their need to hunt for food, relying on you as their sole source of food and water. Therefore, YOU are in complete control of when and how much food is available.

You need to focus on proportions based on weight and not how little the amount of food looks in an over-sized bowl. Start by reducing the current amount of daily food intake by a third. Weigh your pet once again in a week and record the new weight. If the pet hasn't lost weight, reduce the intake once again by a third. Continue with the weekly weigh ins to measure success or trigger further food intake reductions.

Be strong and don't surrender to begging or the feeling you are starving your pet. As long as fresh water is available and your pet is fed realistic proportions, starvation is not even a remote possibility.

Step 5 - Exercise Your Pet
Exercise is an excellent complement to a healthy diet. It burns more calories than dieting alone. Therefore, a combination of exercise and diet will get you and your pet there quicker. For dogs, daily walks are an excellent form of exercise. Start on short distances and increase as your pet becomes accustomed to the distance. Remember to bring water on longer walks, leash your dog, and clean up after your pet if walking in a public space.

Cats need activities that give them a burst of activity. Interactive toys and scratch posts are excellent ways to get your cat up and moving.

Step 6 - Maintenance
Once your pet has returned to a healthy weight, it is important to keep them at that weight. Continue to provide appropriate food portions, fresh water, and a quality meat-based food. Supplement this with daily exercise and your beloved pet will enjoy a healthier and longer life.

Summary
It may have taken months or years for your pet to gain excess weight. Be patient and persistent, it will take time to return your pet to an ideal weight. It will be a gradual process, one that shouldn't end with the pet's weight loss but continued to ensure your pet maintains a healthy weight throughout its life. But its a very simple calculation - the right amount of the right food plus more exercise equals less unhealthy weight.

Additional Resources
Additional resources to help your pet lose weight can be found at:

Exercising Your Pet - Healthypet.com
The Overweight Pet - PetCenter.com
What To Do About An Overweight Cat - PetCenter.com
 

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