Weight Management for Pets

Weight management is important as it helps get your pet to an ideal weight which improves their quality of life. Many owners are unaware their pets are overweight as it is difficult to tell from just looking. In North America, more than 30% of pets are obese. Having a veterinarian examine your pet’s weight while considering their age, breed, lifestyle and other factors gives us the chance to make life-altering recommendations. Your pet’s weight can have serious effects on how their bodies perform. During weight management we create a plan, with your help, that is ideal for your individual pet.

How does obesity affect my pet?

An overweight pet is more susceptible to illnesses due to the internal organs working overtime to function or in some cases barely functioning. Unfortunately, this means that obesity shortens your pet’s life. Stress on the body’s tissues and organs can cause obese pets to suffer from:

1. Diabetes
2. Osteoarthritis
3. Heart Disease
4. Cancer
5. High Blood Pressure
6. Urinary Bladder Stones

If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, call us at 403-637-3928 to schedule an appointment.

How can I help manage my pet’s weight?

An important part of weight management is to remember that any changes you make for your pet should become their lifestyle. The responsibility is on you to ensure your furry friend adjusts well to their new practices. As their guardian, it is imperative you follow our veterinarian’s recommendations and not give in to the pleading eyes that soften your heart. Some adjustments we may recommend are:

• Exercise. Encourage your furry friend to play games, go for more frequent walks or anything that makes them active.
• Change their portion sizes. We will advise you on how much food your pet needs. When you give pets huge portions they eat more than what they really need.
• Schedule their meal times. This ties into not overfeeding your pet, if the food is out they will eat it even if they aren’t hungry.
• Limit their unhealthy treats.