An overweight pet can be plagued with health issues that significantly impede quality of life. Especially as pets age, a few extra pounds can lend to a host of health problems including diabetes and chronic pain. Take steps to prevent your pet from the pitfalls of pet obesity – while also helping them live their best lives.
Is your pet overweight? Here is what owners should know about overweight pet care:
Assess Your Pet
You may not realize that your pet is overweight, especially if you have not weighed them or taken them to the vet in a while. Assess your pet and ask yourself some questions to determine if weight could be an issue for your pet:
- Is your dog as energetic as usual or slowing down?
- Does your pet spend more time sleeping?
- How is your pup’s energy level?
- Can you identify your dog’s waistline? Overweight pets lack a defined waist.
- Can you feel the pet’s ribcage?
- Does your four-legged friend have a waist?
The best way to determine if your pet is overweight is with a current vet examination, which will include weight. Your vet can recognize issues that may be associated with your pet’s breed or history, too.
Make A Plan With Your Vet
So, you have determined that your pet is carrying around a few extra pounds: what next? Make a plan in collaboration with your veterinarian for controlling your pet’s weight. Your vet can identify if there is an underlying health problem that is causing the weight fluctuation. They can also let you know if the weight gain is contributing to or causing issues like diabetes and chronic joint pain, both of which can be debilitating for older dogs and cats.
Your vet should be able to help you create a plan to get the pet back at a healthy weight safely and comfortably.
Help Your Pet Stay Healthy
How do you think you will get the weight off your dog or cat? Well, there are a few tips that probably are not that surprising. After all, the key to weight loss for any species is to eat less and exercise more.
Help an overweight pet with these tips:
- Walk your pet twice per day.
- Invest in a ball or frisbee and get moving with your dog!
- Adapt your cat to a leash for walks.
- Consult with your vet regarding daily caloric intake recommendations for your pet- and stick to it! Limit treats and between-meal snacks.
- Schedule consistent vet exams at least once a year.
It will be up to your vet to determine if your dog or cat is overweight due to a serious underlying health issue, which is why it is imperative to have them checked out before putting them on a restricted eating plan or exercise regimen. You could do more harm than good, unintentionally.
Obesity leads to many problems and health issues that seriously impact and impede life for a dog or cat. Avoid and prevent these conditions by helping maintain your pet’s weight. For end-of-life arrangements, talk to the caring professionals at Midlands Pet Care, a family-owned and operated company, specializing in pet burials and cremation.