Q: My vet says my pets are a little overweight. What is the best way to help them get healthy?
Q: My vet says my pets are a little overweight. What is the best way to help them get healthy?
A: You need to try to help your pets lose weight! Excess weight does make life more difficult for them, especially if they are older and have any arthritis or heart disease. Obesity also causes diabetes in cats and is a risk for pancreatitis in dogs.
The formula is simple - less food and more exercise! Initially try to reduce their food intake by 10-15%, and most importantly cut out the extra treats. Introduce some more exercise - if you have a dog, add in some extra walking time during the week. Allowing your dog to run off lead is much better exercise for him then just walking, but it depends on whether he can be safely off the lead in your area, and whether he has any underlying problems which limit his ability to exercise (such as arthritis).
Trying to exercise a cat is a little bit trickier! You need to find something your cat enjoys chasing - for some it's a penlight, others like wind up toys or feathers on ends of a toy fishing rod. Once you have his interest, make him chase that toy around the room for 10-15 minutes per day. If you have stairs, that's even better.
If these measures are not sufficient, speak with your veterinary surgery. Most vets have weight clinics which are run by experienced staff members who will get results - think of it as boot camp! There are some prescription diets you can obtain through your vet as well, which are lower in calories than commercial diets while at the same time being high in fibre. The fibre helps your pet feel fuller even though they are eating less calories, and really makes a difference for the pets who have difficulty losing weight.
If you can help your pets reach their optimum weight, you will help them lead healthier and longer lives.
If you have a question for Dr. Dalya simply send it through to drdalya@petside.co.uk
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