Studies have shown that around half of the domestic cats and dogs in the United States are overweight. This puts millions of our beloved pets at risk for developing diseases like diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease.
Naturally, this is something we all want to avoid, but what can be done about an overweight pet? Fortunately, it’s not quite as complicated as you might think. Here are seven things you can do to help your furry friend shed unwanted pounds and reclaim their health.
1. Set a Goal
So, you know your pet needs to lose weight, but you don’t know how much or how to get them there. Setting some goals is key, and you’ll need to do this with the assistance of a vet.
Find a good vet and ask them about your pet’s weight, and how much they would need to lose to reach a happy and healthy body weight and supports their overall wellbeing. A professional will be able to help you determine a goal weight, set a timeline for when this can be achieved, and answer any pet health questions you have.
They can also help you set a calorie target for your pet to help them lose the weight. Just like for humans, weight loss is all about calories in versus calories out, so you can do some calculations to figure out how many calories your pet should be eating per day to lose weight.
2. Measure Their Food
Unfortunately, simply pouring food in their bowl (or even using a cup measure) isn’t going to be accurate enough for you to correctly determine how many calories your pet is eating every day.
Instead, it’s a good idea to use a kitchen scale to measure exactly how many grams of food you’re putting in their bowl at meal times. Even just a few extra pellets per day can make a difference!
Remember to do this when it comes to treats, too. Everything your pet eats in a day will contribute to their overall calories, so make sure you’re in control and aware of what’s going down their gullets!
3. Use a Lower-Calorie Food
You have two options when you want to help your pet lose weight. The first would be to simply reduce their intake of their regular food. The second option, which many vets recommend, is to switch them over to lower-calorie pet food or raw pet food.
These foods are specifically designed to keep your pet feeling full and well-nourished with loads of fiber and protein while reducing the overall calories they’re eating.
When selecting a weight-management healthy pet food, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about their personal recommendations. They’ll be able to tell you about what brands are on the market and the pros and cons of each option.
4. Incorporate But Minimize Treats
When we want to lose weight, the first thing many of us do is quit our daily snacking. While you might feel inclined to do the same for your pets, consider what an important role treats play in their training and your bonding time together.
Incorporating treats into your pet’s routine is still crucial for their mental well-being and your relationship with them.
The trick is to be mindful about how often you’re giving them treats and, more importantly, what treats you’re offering. Switch from high-calorie biscuits and spoons full of peanut butter and instead offer them cooked veggies like carrots and zucchini or low-sugar fruit snacks like berries, which will help you avoid common health issues in dogs and cats.
5. Keep Them Active
We all know that daily exercise plays a huge role in weight loss and weight management, and of course, the same applies to your pet! A sedentary lifestyle will not only contribute to their weight gain but can also make it tough for them to lose any unhealthy pounds, preventing pet lifestyle diseases.
This is where your responsibility as their owner kicks into gear – make sure your pet doesn’t spend all day lounging around!
Daily walks are essential, and playtime in between is just as important. Let them chase a ball, a remote-controlled toy, or even a laser pointer. This, paired with brisk daily walks, can improve their heart health, behavior, and weight all at once.
6. Use Supplements Wisely
Humans love to turn to diet pills when they’re struggling with the number on the scale. But are supplements a good option for your overweight pet?
Appetite suppressants and fat-burning pills are certainly not the answer here, but there are a few healthy and natural supplements that might help boost your pet’s immune system and help them lose weight. These can include omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for everyone—humans and animals—as well as L-carnitine, which has been shown to promote lean muscle mass.
Make sure to check in with your vet before adding any supplements to your pet’s diet.
7. Get the Whole Family on Board
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that everyone in your household is on board for this journey. Your efforts may be in vain if a certain family member simply can’t say no to those puppy dog eyes that are constantly begging for treats.
Make sure to explain to everyone in your home the importance of a healthy weight for your pet’s health, and get them to understand that cutting back on treats might feel cruel in the moment, but it will benefit everyone long term by helping your pet live a long and healthy life.
