Weight Management for Pets

A common mistake pet owners make is overfeeding their furry friends. Obesity is common among pets in North America, which shortens their lifespan. Though it might be tempting to feed your pet extra portions when they beg or give them lots of threats throughout the day, these actions can unintentionally have a negative impact on their health. It’s important to lean on the expertise of our veterinarians to understand the best practices for feeding your pet to ensure they receive a healthy, balanced diet.

How do I know if my pet is obese?

It can be difficult to judge your pet’s weight simply by looking at them. Our veterinary team would be able to confirm if your pet is obese. Whenever pets visit us, we record their body weight. If a pet’s weight is over 20% more than their ideal body weight, they’re obese. As a pet owner, it can be easy to blame yourself for your pet’s weight issues because you’re responsible for feeding them. Though you might have good intentions when overfeeding your pet, our team is here to help you develop a plan to manage your furry friend’s weight. Please contact our us for guidance at 403-335-3519. if you have concerns about your pet’s weight.

What is weight management?

Weight management isn’t only about changing your pet’s diet but also educating you about ways you can support your pet’s weight loss. It can be hard to understand what an ideal weight for your pet looks like when representations of overweight pets are normalized in pop culture. Our veterinary team will work with you to unlearn this. This may start with our veterinarians recommending specific foods to kick-start your pet’s weight loss journey.

What can I do to make sure my pet stays on track with their weight loss?

You are one of the most important supporters of your pet’s weight loss. Make sure all of your pet’s caregivers are on the same page about the changes being made to support their weight management. Some of these might include:

• Substituting treats for healthy snacks like fresh or frozen broccoli, green beans and cauliflower
• Limiting your pet’s portions, despite their begging or pleading for more food
• Remaining consistent with the healthy changes you’re integrating
• Consulting our veterinary team whenever you’re unsure about what’s appropriate to feed your pet