Obesity in Pets



Obesity in pets is a problem in America so it's really no surprise that it's also a problem in our pet population. Over half of America's pets are overweight or obese. If you think your pet is overweight and you want to help it lose weight then continue reading this article.

If you have a dog then you may be able to help it lose weight by yourself, however if you have a cat it's actually more complicated and you will want to consult your veterinarian. First of all it's important to understand why your pet is overweight. It's eating too much and taking in way more calories than needed. Being overweight can sometimes be the result of health problems so have your pet checked for thyroid, heart, or metabolic disorders. If your pet has none of them, then it's eating too much.

Some common problems that come about with pets and their owners is that the owner thinks the pet didn't eat enough, but they did. As a pet owner you need to realize when you are giving your pet either too much food, or food too often. If your dog knows that it can get more food if it begs and whines, then it's going to do it. The dog isn't actually really hungry. Some pet owners also give their pets a lot of human food. If you give your dog a lot of cookies, ice cream, chicken and various things you eat, but these foods aren't nutritional for a dog. Therefore, the dog can eat large amounts of this food and still not have the nutrition it needs, it's just gaining fat.

To help your pet lose weight first record their pre-diet weight. Then, reduce the amount of food you give them each day. You should also reduce or stop giving them treats, etc. Also, try to make sure your pet is going to walks, playing, and getting exercise. After 2 weeks, reweigh your pet and see if they've lost weight. If at least a little weight was lost then continue this diet. If no weight was lost further reduce the pet's food intake.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.