Weight Management Information. Are you concerned that your pet may be overweight?
You're not alone.
Almost 50% of domestic pets are classed as obese. This has massive health implications for your animal and will more than likely be having a direct impact on your wallet! Find out how you can make a substantial difference to yourself and your pet for healthier, happier living.... Firstly, a few 'fat' facts; * An extra 1kg (2.2lbs) of excess weight in a cat equates to an extra 17kg (2.6 stones) in a human!
* One plain digestive biscuit given to a dog is the equivalent of an adult human consuming a whole packet!
* Obese pets are at a far greater risk of serious illness such as heart disease and diabetes.
* Many long-term health complaints such as diabetes and heart disease involve expensive tests and medications. Prevention is always cheaper than the cure.
* Obesity will make the effects of arthritis much worse and you will need higher doses of medication to control pain and inflammation.
* Obese pets do not live as long as they should.
* Cats groom for cleanliness and for comfort. Overweight cats can't groom themselves properly; this has an effect on their psychological wellbeing. But don't panic...help is at hand! It's never too late to help your pet to be healthy. Pet Dispensary's Guide to Weightloss & Post Weightloss Management; DOGS: * Increase your pets daily exercise routine; even an extra 5 minutes a day will make a difference.
* Lead walk your dog for at least 10 - 15 minutes. This is time that you can be absolutely certain your pet has been exercising (rummaging about in bushes may be entertaining but it is not a cardio-vascular work out!)
* Don't stop giving treats; just give healthy ones! Raw vegetables such as carrots provide a treat, a tooth clean and a vitamin boost all in one! Avoid fruit as this contains too much sugar.
* You must provide adequate nutrition for your pet, so dramatically decreasing the amount of their regular pet food is usually a bad idea. This means that they are eating fewer calories but they are not getting all the essential nutrients they need to stay healthy. Never feed below the recommended amount on the feeding guide.
* There are special diet foods designed to support your pet through and after weight loss. They are very concentrated so that smaller amounts of food contain everything your pet needs, this means you feed them less and you pay less.
* Weight loss diets such as, Hill's R/D contain a special blend of soluble and insoluble fibre. This means that it keeps your pet feeling fuller for longer. R/D kibbles come in a range of sizes e.g. R/D Mini, designed to be eaten by dogs with smaller jaw structures.
* R/D is clinically proven to reduce fat by 22% in just two months and it has a new and improved taste, preferred by up to 98% of dogs in clinical tests!
* The feeding guide on the back of the pack tells you how much to feed according to your pets current weight. It is important to weigh your pet once every 4 - 5 weeks. We encourage a steady, healthy weight loss.
* Once your pet has reached its target weight, we would recommend a good quality dry diet to maintain your pets' new found shape, such as, Hill's W/D. It's high in essential nutrients and tastes great!
* Remember, once your pet starts to lose weight they will naturally become more active, this will in turn help them to lose more. A special diet is usually the best way to tip the balance to the right direction. SUGGESTED DIET:
Hill's canine r/d for a two to three month period
Hill's canine w/d for long-term management CATS:
Cats are slightly trickier to deal with than their canine counter-parts; you can help your cat to fight the fat! * All cats are predatory hunters (even the less active ones - they've just forgotten!); revive that instinct and increase indoor exercise by using a Catmosphere. Fill the ball with dry food and your pet will 'hunt' their dinner!
* Neighbours mean well, but they can have a tendency to feed cats that come knocking, once your cat has worked this out he or she may make several stops at several houses during the day! Be sure to tell your neighbours that your pet is on a diet. You could also attach a metal tag to your pets' collar asking for your pet not to be fed - this is always a good idea in diabetic or irritable bowel cases too.
* Increase play time at home - this will increase exercise levels and will help strengthen the bond between you and your cat.
* As with dogs, you must never just reduce the amount of regular food that you feed your cat. Cats have very specific dietary requirements, much more complex than a dog - you can make your cat ill if you miscalculate.
* With this in mind, it is always better to use a special diet designed for weight loss. Hill's R/D is a tasty diet, formulated to keep your cat healthy during the weight loss period. By using high quality insoluble proteins, your cat stays fuller for longer.
* Once your pet has reached its target weight, you will need to maintain that weight using a good quality diet. Hill's M/D is an ideal diet - tasty and nutritionally balanced, containing complex vitamins and minerals to promote good health.
* Despite your best efforts, your cat may feast on the occasional bird, mouse, frog etc! You can do very little about this - just remember to use a good quality wormer every 3 months, such as Drontal! SUGGESTED DIET:
Hill's feline r/d for a three to 4 month period
Hill's feline m/d for long-term management Please note: Always consult a qualified person when considering changing your pets diet. | |
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