Highland Park Pet Dietary Weight Management Veterinary
Just like in today’s society, obesity is, unfortunately, a common disorder among two-legged and four-legged friends. While there are some factors and stages that are out of your hands, we can help provide appropriate support and tools to help deal with the challenges of your pet’s weight management.
We should analyze and determine the reason behind your pet’s weight problem first so we can rule out any medical issues. Schedule an appointment for an overall health assessment so we can help create a successful weight management plan for your cat or dog.
If your pet needs to switch to a new diet, we will choose a specially formulated diet that may include:
- A reduction in fat
- An increase in pet vitamins and minerals
- An increase in protein to minimize lean tissue loss. Extra protein may also help your pet feel fuller.
- An L-carnitine supplement, which helps maximize the amount of fat and minimize the amount of lean tissue lost during weight management.
- The addition of fiber which allows you to feed your pet a greater volume of food without adding calories.
- Monitor feeding amounts
A high-quality diet combined with an increase in activity is ideal. A change in lifestyle preventing a rebound weight gain will create a successful life in the long run. For dogs, exercise is key and may include more walking, games, swimming, or a treadmill. For cats, create more play sessions with cat toys, rod toys, or motorized toys.
Highland Park Dog Dietary Weight Management Veterinary
Some breeds are prone to obesity, while others (Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers), are typically slim. Breeds with a propensity for heftiness include:
- Cairn Terriers
- Dachshunds
- Scottish Terriers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Beagles
- Cocker Spaniels
- Basset Hounds
- Labs
- Golden Retrievers
- Rottweilers
- Bernese Mountain Dogs
- Newfoundlands
- Saint Bernards
Highland Park Cat Dietary Weight Management Veterinary
Even at 2 pounds over your cat’s supposed weight can put your cat at serious risk for developing medical conditions. Some of the common feline weight-related disorders include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Chronic inflammation
- Heart disease
- Osteoarthritis
- High blood pressure
- Many forms of cancer – especially intra-abdominal cancers
