Food for thought

With around 25% of our cats and dogs now overweight, it is no wonder that most owners of fat pets are unaware that there is a problem.

Cats and dogs would never be able to get overweight if left to hunt for their food, so they have not evolved to be able to cope with obesity. As soon as a pet changes from being an ideal weight to overweight, the risk of death increases.

There are a broad range of diseases associated with obesity, including diabetes, cancer, pancreatitis, liver disease, joint, ligament and spinal problems, heart disease and exercise intolerance.

Why are our pets over-weight?
Obesity is mainly due to overfeeding. Misreading our pet’s behaviour and giving treats instead of attention or exercise is easily done. We sometimes equate giving them food as giving them love. Lack of exercise and the unnatural environment pets inhabit are also key factors. Feeding correct amounts of food can be difficult, given that the guides are only estimates. Feeding the same diet as the pet ages can cause what we know as “middle age spread”. Arthritis, hormonal disorders and neutering can also increase the risk.

Is your pet over-weight? Place both hands on your pet, with your thumbs either side of their spine. Moving your hands along their ribcage, try to feel the ribs. They should be easy to feel, with only a thin covering of fat.

Examine your pet’s profile!
Viewed from the side at the same level as your pet their abdomen should be higher than their ribcage, and their back should not look flat. Viewed from above, they should have a definite waist.

Overweight ------------ Obese --------------

How can we help you?

We think that preventing obesity is extremely important as it extends lives and improves the quality of life or the animals under our care. It is probably more important than curing minor ailments and vaccinating against major ones.

The services we offer include -

Free body condition assessments

Free diet clinics to help you to slim your pet safely and gradually.

Free support to make sure your pet reaches their target weight.

Sensible goals using your pet’s own weight loss curve.

Free expert advice on appropriate diets for all breeds to help prevent obesity.

Free advice on when to start feeding a senior diet.

We also supply good quality diets to help to maintain a normal weight.

Book your pet's FREE weight check with one of our qualified Veterinary Nurses today!