Weight Management for Pets

Our veterinary team can help you make informed decisions about the types of food that are most beneficial to your pet’s health. Obesity can be associated with a host of health issues that can shorten your pet’s lifespan and negatively affect their quality of life. With the help of our veterinary team, we’ll provide recommendations on the best habits you can implement to improve your pet’s overall health.

Is this like a diet?

Weight management is more than a diet. It involves a lifetime commitment to lifestyle changes that improve your pet’s health. In addition to providing guidelines about your furry friend’s daily calorie intake, a weight management plan includes recommendations about exercise and modifications to their behaviour, like following a feeding schedule or restricting access to food outside of their meal time. Based on factors like your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle and underlying health issues, we’ll tailor their plan to their individual needs. The goal is not only to reach a healthy weight but create healthy habits for your pet.

How does obesity affect my pet?

Sometimes looks can be deceiving. Your pet may seem healthy externally but they might be dealing with underlying health issues internally. Obese pets are more likely to develop diseases like heart disease, cancer and hypertension. Excess weight can strain your pet’s body, affecting their quality of life. For example, obese pets are more likely to develop arthritis, which cause joints to deteriorate faster. This creates more pain and discomfort in the affected areas of their body. Sometimes, obesity can also be an indication of an underlying disease, like hyperthyroidism. Weight management allows us to pinpoint the cause of your pet’s weight gain and effectively address it.

Can my pet still have treats?

You can still incorporate treats into your pet’s diet, as long as they’re used in moderation. They should only take up around 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake. Though they might be one of the main incentives pet owners use, other tactics like play or praise can be a great way to reinforce your pet’s positive behaviour.