Healthy Weight for a Healthier Pet

Healthy pets have a healthy, optimal weight for their age, breed, activity level and several other factors.We have provided some information here for you to understand why being overweight is not healthy, as well as links to articles on nutrition, life enrichment and the role of you the pet owner in keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight.

Our Registered Technicians are trained in how to determine your pet’s optimal body condition score and weight. In addition they are well-versed in nutrition options, and exercise or activity options to further assist you in reaching your pet’s optimum healthy weight..

• • • • • The Causes of Obesity
        • Factors that Influence the rate of weight gain
        • Why an Overweight Condition Predisposes to Disease
        • Diseases in Dogs and Cats that are Overweight or Obese
        • Nutrition & Feeding
        • Dog Life Enrichment
        • Cat Life Enrichment
        • Establish an Exercise Program
        • Owner Mis-perception of an Obese Pet
        • Psychological and Behavioral Modification
          

           

          Charts

           

          1.  To calculate your pets degree of weight loss or body condition score
          2.  To show why fat is considered to have endocrine function and excess fat leads to chronic inflammation and a sort of ‘disease’ state.
          3.  To chart your progress with a Weight Loss Tracking graph.
             

          Definitions:

          “Overweight” (OW) =  > 15% above ideal body weight  (excess WAT)

          “Obesity” (O) =  > 30% above ideal body weight (excess WAT) 

          W.A.T (WAT) = White Adipose Tissue or Fat

          Estimate of Prevalence:   

           

           Overweight and obese pets: 22-40%  (1 in 3 dogs)

           

          Pet Need to Lose Some Weight? We Can Help!  [click to link]

          At your last visit did the vet or one of the staff perhaps comment on how your pet ‘gained a little winter weight’ since they were last seen?

          Are you unsure why your current feeding ‘plan’ may not be the right one?

          In ‘We Can Help’  we provide some of the detailed information involving names of specific diets , what some weight loss drug therapies are available and educational documentation you can take home.

          There are several links to documents and information on our website – simply type ‘weight’ into the search box.