As the months go by and the temperatures are low outside, it’s natural to be a little more sedentary than normal. If your eating regimen has stayed the same and you are moving less than normal, it’s normal for your dog or cat to put on a few pounds. After all, it’s science! Less movement and the same amount of or even more calories is a recipe for weight gain. However, it’s not too hard to get your dog or cat back on track by implementing a few smart weight loss tips into their feeding and exercise routines.
As you embark on a journey for your dog or cat to lose weight, we recommend following these helpful weight loss tips.
Cut any snacks (and yes, licks and tastes count.)
Do you feed your dog or cat table scraps? Or maybe you just let them lick your peanut butter spoon after you serve yourself? All of these extra bites and snacks throughout the day add up, and they’re extra calories that your pet doesn’t need. Treats are also extra calories that might need to be cut out or offered in moderation. Make sure your dog or cat’s intake is reserved for mealtime.
Portion your pet’s meals appropriately.
Do you feed your pet once or twice a day? How much food do you give them? Are you following the recommendations on the food packages? If you are already following the recommendations, it may be time to calculate your pet’s caloric intake and adjust accordingly. Check with your vet for an accurate assessment of your cat or dog’s intake, or do a quick Google search for a cat or dog weight loss calorie calculator and monitor your pet’s weight loss or weight gain response to following what is recommended for a week.
Increase exercise.
Do you play fetch with your dog or take your dog or cat on walks? If so, consider planning exercise even more frequently than you already do. Starting by taking your dog or cat on a walk 2-3x a week or even just walking longer distances than normal may have great results, especially if it’s paired with controlling your pet’s portion sizes.
Stay consistent.
Results may not happen in a week or two. When it comes to weight loss and weight maintenance, it’s important to stay consistent. Slow and steady wins the race! You may need to implement diet and exercise changes for longer than you anticipate, and adopting new habits may be in order to get the weight off and keep it off. However, your pet will be happier and healthier for it! Obesity can increase the risk of many diseases in both cats and dogs, so it’s very important to stay on top of managing your favorite companions’ weight.
Have you tried all of these tips and nothing seems to be working? Schedule a consultation at Caudle Vet Clinic to see one of our experienced veterinarians so they can examine your pet for any medical conditions that may be keeping the weight on. You can reach us at (615) 227-6230.