Keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight reduces their risk of disease and injury, and contributes to a better quality of life and a longer life expectancy. Is your pet overweight but you aren’t sure where to start? Step one is to have an honest conversation with your veterinarian about your pet’s weight. Your vet will assess your pet’s weight and overall health and create a plan to get your pet to a healthy weight with diet and exercise. Your veterinarian can also teach you to assess your pet’s body condition by observing your pet’s body shape and feeling certain parts of your pet’s body. When it comes to pets, a healthy weight isn’t simply a number on a scale; it’s about healthy body composition.Keeping your pet at a healthy weight lowers their risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer. It can also reduce the risks of injury to bones, joints and muscles that are common in overweight and obese pets. If your pet has arthritis, which is especially common in large breed dogs, keeping him/her at a healthy weight makes it easier to manage the discomfort associated with joint pain.
Excess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years! Keeping your pet at a healthy weight means giving them an opportunity for a longer, healthier, pain-free life. Contact our clinic for an appointment today to see our doctor and get a plan to get your pet back on track to a healthy weight and a healthy life!