Rocklin Road Animal Hospital

Unfortunately, pet obesity is a growing (no pun intended) problem in our culture.  We have become accustomed to overweight pets to the point where appropriate sized cats and dogs look too thin.  Rule of thumb…you should be able to easily feel your pet’s ribs when you run your fingers over his/her chest.  The formula for weight loss is pretty simple…if you are putting fewer calories in (food/treats) than you are taking out (normal metabolism plus exercise) then your pet will lose weight.  If your pet is overweight you need to decrease their calorie intake and/or increase their calorie output (exercise…tough do to in cats!).  Decreasing calorie intake means giving less food, fewer treats or feeding a low calorie food (diet food).  Yes, decrease the amount of food they are getting even if you are only feeding … (fill in the blank #cups).

There are some medical conditions that can also contribute to obesity such as hypothyroidism, and you should contact your veterinarian if you feel your pet may be dealing with a medical condition.  There are also some situations where you can’t seem to get your pet to lose weight no matter what you do.  Believe it or not, there is a wonderful diet medication that can be used to help get your pet to the correct weight.  Ask your veterinarian about it (it’s called slentrol…and no, people can’t take it!).

Pet obesity is a serious medical condition, as it is in people.  It can lead to joint problems, diabetes, heart problems, and other serious medical issues.  All by itself, it decreases your pet’s quality of life.  Take a look at you furry family member and see what you think about his/her body condition.

I’m often asked if the pet food that the breeder or pet store recommended is ok for a particular dog or cat.  If your pet has a medical condition and your veterinarian has recommended a specific food, please use that.  However, if you have a new puppy or kitten or just want to try a new food you can use the following guidelines to help you.  No matter which brand you choose, be sure to pick a food appropriate for your pet’s life stage (puppy/kitten, maintenance food, senior food) and breed.

Questions you can ask the pet food manufacturer (call the # on the bag/can):

1. Do they have a full time nutritionist?
2. Do they have a research and development department?
3. Do they have their own manufacturing plant?
4. How do they insure quality control (Ingredients, end product, shelf life, accountability)?
5. Do they have feeding trials?

You can also look at the Label:

1. Does the label say it is a complete and balanced diet?  And what is the basis of this claim (feeding trial is best, “formulated to meet standard” isn’t as good).
2. Label should state that the food meets the nutritional requirements established by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).
3. Is the “life stage” correct for your dog (puppy/growth, maintenance, senior, large breed vs. small breed).
4. If the label says it follows AAFCO guidelines for “natural” it means there are no chemically synthesized ingredients except vitamins, if they are listed on label.
5. The terms “organic”, “holistic”, and “premium” have no definition and, therefore, can mean anything the manufacturer wants them to mean.

I hope this helps!

Dr. G

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