Tips to Prevent Pet Obesity

Experts estimate that around 54 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats are overweight. Most of the pets that visit animal clinics are obese or overweight. The pets suffer from several health complications that are life-threatening. On average, overweight pets have a shorter lifespan than their fit counterparts. As a pet owner, you’d want to check out these tips to prevent obesity in your pet. 

Your Pet’s Ideal Weight 

Most dog owners do not know how much their pets should weigh. A dog’s ideal weight is not necessarily a number but a ratio. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs with ease, and they should have a waist that is defined. A healthy dog’s ribs should not be visible. To find out your dog’s ideal weight, talk to your veterinarian. The vet will give you an idea of what your pet should look like.

Healthy Diet Choices 

You can prevent pet obesity by ensuring that your pet consumes a healthy diet. The ideal diet for your pet will depend on age, breed, lifestyle, and overall health. In most cases, the amount of food is the problem when dealing with obesity. 

Avoid feeding your dog scraps off your dinner table as they contribute to obesity. Scheduled meals will help you control the amount of food. When planning your pet’s meals, consider its size and activity level. 

Getting Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is essential for the physical and mental health of your dog. Good exercising goes beyond the daily stroll around the block. Depending on the type or breed of your dog, running is vital. 

If your dog needs to lose weight, it will need exercises to help with weight loss. Conduct the exercises at a fast pace. Moving at 15 minutes a mile is ideal. During your walk, try to avoid frequent stops for marking or sniffing.

Monitoring Changes

Monitor your pet’s weight regularly. This will help you adjust the amount of food accordingly. If you notice weight gain or loss, you can change the diet. If your dog is too big for your bathroom scale, take it to the vet once a month to get its weight measured. 

You can also carry out a physical inspection to spot any changes in its weight or physical appearance. Taking frequent photos of your dog can help monitor its weight.

Visits to the Vet

The best way to prevent pet obesity is by scheduling regular visits to the vet. The vet is in the best position to inform you if your pet has weight problems. The vet can offer valuable tips on the best diet and lifestyle for your pet. The vet will rule out health conditions that may be responsible for any weight change. 

If you plan to make drastic changes to your pet’s lifestyle, make sure that you talk to the vet about it. Excess weight can cause health conditions such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, respiratory disease, heart, and kidney disease. 

For more tips to prevent pet obesity, visit Dr. Mike’s Affordable Vet Care at our office in Arlington, Texas. You can call (817) 663-8160 today to schedule an appointment.