Canine and Feline Weight Watchers

 

 

We aim to help your pet lose weight by giving dietary advice and a swimming session.

The programme is for 8 weeks and I will weigh and measure your pet. 

Some animals may not lose a lot of weight to start with, but they may lose inches and this is why we measure certain areas of your pet’s body. 

Do not be disheartened if the weight does not come off to start with. A pet loosing 0.2kg is equivalent to us humans losing about 6lb!

 

What are the health risks of my pet been over weight?

• Heart Disease

• High Blood pressure

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Immune suppression

• Some forms of cancer.

• Skin infections 

• Increased risk if they need an anaesthetic for surgery.

• Reduced life expectancy

 

 

 

What are the benefits of my dog losing weight?

 It will help your pet have a better quality of life, it will help with stress on the joints, especially if they are arthritic or have had surgery. Improve cardiovascular function, reduce the risk of medical conditions associated with obesity. It will also improve their chance of living longer. A recent study showed that dogs that maintained their ideal body weight form life lived at least 2 years longer. They will also have more energy and feel better. 

 

An effective and safe weight-loss program involves:

• Increasing the amount of exercise in a safe manner.

 

• Restricting the amount of calorie intake.

 

• Changing the way, you feed your pet.

 

How do I increase the amount of exercise they get?

 

Dogs:  if your dog is not used to activity you will need to gradually increase the time and form of exercise they receive. This applies to swimming we will gradually increase the time they are having in the pool swimming, to start with they may not be in long depending upon their fitness. It is also recommended that when out walking gradually increase the time by 10 minutes per week, dogs should have at least 30 min of exercise per day. If they enjoy a toy such as a ball then get them fetching it, obviously do not overdo this to start with.

 

Cats: Your cat may not be going as much due to them been over weight. I suggest you get a toy such as a dangling one for them to chase, mouse or ball for them to chase up and down stairs if you have any. The laser pens are very good too for them to chase the dot.

 

How do I cut down on my pet’s calorie intake?

• First of all, I suggest you make a food diary for a week and write down everything you give your pet. Do not cheat you must write everything down! From the treats, the scrap pf food you might be giving them off your plate to the bit of tea you are letting them drink. By doing so you will be surprised just how much extra they might be giving, (see treat calculator as well for what certain treats are equitant to humans).

• Once have done a food diary you can start to see what you are giving your pet. All treats and scraps must be stopped. If you want to give them a treat, then carrots chopped are great. You can also add vegetables in to your dog’s diet to help bulk it up. If you want to still use treats, then use them sparingly and take out some of their food to replace this. A big mistake people do is give dentasticks and these are very fattening, they are equivalent to your dog having a happy meal every day! I know people do this because they think they are doing the best for their teeth, but you can replace this either by daily brushing or using something like plaque off (this can also be used for cats).

• With cats the problem mainly lies with them been fed ad lib, the dish starts to get a little bit low and then it is topped back up. How much are you given your cat? The answer is that you probably don’t know. Did you know cats will eat 20 times a day if they got the chance! What I suggest with your cat is feeding them twice daily and measuring out their daily ration then splitting into two meals. Cut back on any treats you are giving them. You can always scatter the food around as well so that they have to work to find it.

• Dogs should be fed twice daily and the amount measured out split into two meals. Any titbits should be taken into consideration and some of their daily allowance removed to make up for this. A good idea is for the food to be scattered this is great for them to move about but also an enrichment game too to use their brains.

• Continue using the food diary.

 

My pet seems hungry all the time, why

This is normal because we are cutting back on the calorie intake and therefore it will make them feel hungrier to start with. It is important not to give into them and feed them extra, do not feel guilty it is for their own good. Eventually this will subside, some good diets contain extra fibre to help bulk them and feel less hungry. 

 

 

 

 

Body Conditioning Score Chart For Dogs