Excellent Pet Nutrition: Key to Weight Management

Pet Nutrition

Tropicana Animal Hospital stresses the importance of nutritional excellence and weight management in the health and long life of any animal. Much like humans, obesity has become one of the biggest health concerns for pets today. Overweight animals are more susceptible to diseases such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Skin problems
  • Certain cancers

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent or correct obesity in your pet.

Step 1: Assess for health—This is where the all-important wellness exams come in, to establish a baseline and for continued veterinary follow-up care and maintenance.

Step 2: Design a plan—We will create an individualized weight management program for your pet, to include target weight and nutritional recommendations. We also have lots of creative ideas for healthy treats, exercise programs, and ways to maintain the optimal weight for the breed, size, and age of your pet.

Step 3: Follow-up—In the case of an obese animal, monthly re-checks are very important for tracking your pet's weight and progress toward their targeted goal. At this rate of follow up, we are able to adjust the feeding schedule and exercise plan as needed, as well as monitor closely for early detection of feeding-related problems, such as liver disease.

In addition to the 3-Step Weight Management Plan, here are some tips for addressing this issue in your pet:

  • Say "No!" to unhealthy snacks—While human foods may seem like a treat, they are not only unhealthy additions to a complete diet, but many are toxic to animals. Give only veterinarian-approved treats to your pets.
  • Exercise, exercise, exercise—No weight management program is complete without physical activity. Simple actions, such as playing with your pet for 15-30 minutes or long walks through the park or neighborhood, can lead to significant weight loss and improved tone over time . . . for pet and owner!
  • Control feeding—Often called "free feeding," providing unlimited food is based on the assumption that pets will instinctively eat the right amount of food for their needs. Domesticated animals cannot be expected to control their food intake, and responsible pet owners will provide the appropriate amount of food recommended by their veterinarian.

For more information and tips, we recommend the Hills website and the AAHA articles about Diet and Weight Control.