Pet weight loss challenge skin#

Initiating an exercise regime requires a great deal of commitment, but can have very effective results. A customized plan should be developed for each pet and adjusted accordingly, just as with diet. The ideal exercise program for dogs is dependent on various factors, including age, environment and concurrent disease. Exercise will preserve muscle mass during weight loss and may even increase the pet’s metabolic rate. The foundation of weight loss in dogs is caloric restriction however, physical activity should also be considered. The USDA Food Composition Database is a great resource for determining calorie information of various household commodities. I especially like using vegetables for treats. Instead, make those calories a healthy, nutrient-dense snack. In cats, this is certainly an option, but it may not be for a large breed dog.Ī calorie allowance for treats should be factored in, but they should not add up to more than 10 percent of the total daily calories and should not be empty calories, either. Prescription weight loss diets can be a good choice for severely overweight dogs, while high protein diets are an alternative for dogs and cats that do not have as much weight to lose but still need to cut back.įor dogs, we also add non-starchy vegetables not only to bulk up the amount (they are far less calorie dense than kibble), but also to increase the phytonutrients in the diet.Ĭanned food diets can be more accurately measured and actually improve satiety because of their water content, but of course also greatly increase the cost over dry kibble.

In dramatically decreasing the amount of a kibbled maintenance diet, we run the risk of not feeding enough protein and other nutrients. Most weight loss requires a 25 to 40 percent drop in daily calories. This should include his/her regular diet, treats, people food and supplements, such as fish oil. If your pet is overweight, it is important to calculate all the calories he/she is consuming within a 24-hour period. Just like in humans, the treatment of obesity is a much greater challenge than prevention. Unfortunately, many pets are already overweight by their one year visit. Veterinarians use a BCS to standardize the level of a pet’s weight and formulate a diet and exercise plan that best suits his/her body, activity level and lifestyle. The most practical and objective way of determining your pet’s healthy weight is to use a visual guide known as Body Condition Score or BCS.

Pet weight loss challenge skin#

In cats, this risk also includes fatty liver disease, lower urinary tract disease and skin disease. Obesity can significantly increase the risk of various diseases and can negatively impact both the quality of life as well as the life span of our pets.Ĭonditions associated with obesity include: It is the most common form of malnutrition in our companion animals and it is growing in frequency due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle coupled with highly-palatable, energy-dense food sources.

Obesity is an accumulation of excessive energy stored by adipose (fatty) tissue sufficient enough to contribute to disease.