With the start of the New Year it is common practice to make resolutions geared toward self-improvement or making our lives more fulfilling.  In 2012 I’m going to… travel more… learn how to knit… stop DVRing theJerseyShore… (insert your aspirations here). A familiar resolution for us self-improvers is to live a healthier lifestyle which may or may not include working on weight loss; testimonies to this pledge are the millions of new gym memberships that are purchased every January. 

Equally important to our aspirations of working on our six-pack is consideration for the waistline of our pets.  Even though we like to tell ourselves that those extra 15 pounds on our Boston Terrier is “cute” or that our Rottie is “supposed to look that way”, the reality is that overweight and obese animals are a significant problem in today’s society.  Keeping our animals at a healthy weight is a very important aspect of preventative health care.  Excess weight has been linked to increased severity of arthritis, kidney disease, an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes, negative affects on the heart and respiratory systems, as well as other disease processes.  The two main components in keeping our pets healthy are diet and exercise, but there are several factors to consider within each of these categories that can contribute to healthy weight success.  Here are a couple of general suggestions to get your pet on the right tract:

Diet

Quantity

  • Use an 8 oz. cup to measure out food, similar to one used for cooking; often your veterinarian can provide one for you
  • Generally an adult dog is fed 1 cup per 20 pounds of lean body weight
  • Amounts recommended on the bag of dog food bags are meant to be starting point guidelines and are not set in stone
  • Your pet may need more food during months when it is more active and less food when less active
  • Ask your veterinarian when starting a weight-loss regime to reduce the amount of food gradually and appropriately

Frequency

  • It is much easier to tract the amount of food your pet receives when the meals are measured out and fed at specific meal times vs. leaving a full bowl out all day; especially in a multi-pet household
  • Keep your cat’s food out of your dog’s reach
  • In a multi-cat household where not all the cats are overweight, keep free-fed food out of reach of the overweight cats if dry food is left out during the day

Type

  • Feed a weight management diet to ensure your animal is receiving all the appropriate nutrients without drastically reducing the amount of food fed
  • Consider placing your cat on a prescription canned-food diet (as opposed to over the counter weight management food), as it may be more effective 

Treats

  • Switch to healthier alternatives to regular dog treats such as vegetables, reduced calorie kibble, or ice cubes
  • Use smaller portions when treating and treat less often
  • Avoid table scraps as they are detrimental to weight loss and can cause medical issues in your pet
  • The addition of approved fruits and vegetables to your pet’s diet can be beneficial
  • Do not ever have human food be the sole source of nutrition for your pet unless you are following a well-balanced and well-researched raw diet regime
  • Be sure that everyone in the family understands and is on-board with your pet’s diet regime and weight-loss goals

Exercise

Dogs

  • Daily exercise is recommended and the length and type necessary is based on age, breed, and pre-existing medical conditions
  • Exercise provides both physical and mental well-being
  • Backyard time alone does not often offer adequate exercise or mental stimulation vs. a varied walking route
  • Consider running or biking with your dog when appropriate
  • Swimming is a great low-impact cardio exercise especially for older pets or pets with past musculoskeletal injuries
  • Consider treadmill training in the colder months when your pet is unable to get outside for exercise
  • Consider taking your pet to a doggy daycare or veterinary physical rehabilitation center for exercise
  • Be sure your dog is physically healthy before starting an exercise regime

Cats

  • Place food/water dishes on top of a washing machine or downstairs/upstairs in a multi-level house to encourage an increase in movement
  • Place your cat’s litter box and food/water dishes far from each other as another way to encourage an increase in movement
  • A laser pointer used for play is a way to entice some cats to increase their cardio
  • Be sure that your cat is physically healthy before starting an exercise regime

 Weight loss can be a touchy subject whether we’re talking about ourselves or our pets.  We often associate “food” with “ love” and forget that extra weight can be extremely detrimental to our animal’s health; not only potentially shortening their lives but also incurring additional maintenance costs in order to keep them comfortable and healthy.  Consult your veterinarian before starting a weight-loss regime for your pet.   If your pet is not meeting their weight loss goals despite sticking to a regime, investigate to find the reason behind it.  This January, instead of reaching for another bacon-flavored chew strip for your dog, reach for a green bean, or even better, a leash.  You can look forward to basking in your veterinarian’s approval as your dog’s waistline becomes more defined and your pet will thank you come swimsuit season.