By Dr. Emily Coatney-Smith, Contributing Writer Updated 7:41 AM Monday, July 2, 2012
Now that we have covered the rising concern for obesity in our pet population, we can explore weight loss in our pets.
Dogs
First, find an appropriate calorie food and then feed the correct amount. There is an unbelievable variety ofcompanies with just as many types of foods.And most brands do not give the exact calories or exact percentages for the protein, fat or fiber content. With a little investigating that information can be obtained directly from the company on its website. Once the right food is found, then the amount of food should be calculated based on the calories of the food and the weight of the dog. The dog should be fed for its ideal weight, not its current weight. Second, limit the treats and human food that are given throughout the day. Find lower- calorie treats and breakthem into smaller pieces.
Third, it is very hard to just rely on food management to control their weight.
Walking helps, but so does more strenuous exercise like playing fetch or playing with other dogs.
Cats
Weight control is much more difficult in cats because rarely can you get a cat to exercise,especially as it gets older. Some cats love to chase laser lights or feather toys, so those might work.
It also can be difficult when there are multiple cats in one house. Onecat may need to lose weight.Another cat may only need to maintain weight. And yet another cat may havetrouble gaining weight. So just leaving one food out for all the cats is a bad idea, as the cat that needs to lose weight will be the one eating the most.
Restrict calories, but also find the right type of food. Some cats do better with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate food, while others do better with a high-fiber diet.
See more here:
Helping pets slim down a weighty matter
