One thing we can do for our pets is to determine if they are overweight.  An animal at the correct weight will be more comfortable in any climate, but especially a Texas summer.  Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and arthritis. With the correct nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, your pet can loose the necessary weight.

First, it is necessary to determine if your pet is overweight.  Obviously, a trip to your veterinarian’s office for a “weigh-in” and comparison to a body-scoring chart should be definitive.  However, you can make a basic assessment at home using the following guidelines.  The animal’s ribs should be easily felt, but have a slight covering of fat so that they are not protruding.  When viewed from the side, your pet should have an abdominal tuck; and when viewed from overhead, it should have a well-proportioned waist.  We should all look this good!

Weight gain can be caused by many factors.  Overeating is the most likely reason.  Too many treats or just too much food will do it for “Fido,” as well as you or I.  Neutering or spaying can cause weight gain, although this is no reason to not have your pet altered, nor is it a major cause of weight gain.  A lack of exercise is much more likely to significantly contribute to a weight problem.  Older pets are often less active and require fewer calories.  Finally, excess weight may be the result of a medical problem.

If you and your veterinarian have determined that your pet is overweight, your veterinarian can suggest a low calorie food.  We recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet r/d for the initial weight loss and then when the correct weight is achieved, Hill’s makes a Prescription Diet w/d food to maintain the weight.  Both of these products come in canine and feline versions, including a very popular chicken flavor.  Hill’s now also makes a Prescription Diet m/d for cats that are unsuccessful at losing weight when eating the Prescription Diet r/d or w/d.  When you first begin to feed the new food, you should mix it with your pet’s old food and gradually transition to the new food over a seven-day period.  This is intended to avoid problems with intestinal upset.  If your pet is reluctant to eat the new food, Hill’s makes canned versions of these foods.  A little canned food mixed in with the dry food can often entice the less cooperative animal.

If your pet is to lose weight, table scraps should be avoided completely.  The only “treats” we would suggest would be the Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine Treats or the Hill’s Prescription Diet Hypoallergenic Treats (for both dogs and cats).  They are low in calories and a limited number can be used to spread the pet’s total daily caloric intake more evenly throughout the day.  Three or four small meals during the day can help your friend with the new routine.

To augment the weight management program we can prescribe a medicine called Slentrol.  It is an oral liquid administered daily that is intended to decrease the pet’s appetite.  Unfortunately, it is only formulated for dogs.

Regular, moderate exercise will also help to shed pounds.  Just be sure your veterinarian first determines your animal is healthy enough to begin the exercise program.  Finally, stop in at your veterinarian’s office and have your pet weighed on a regular basis to verify that progress is being made.

If you have any questions about your pet’s correct weight or other health issues, stop by with your furry friend and see us at Dr. Doolittle’s Animal Hospital.