Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 7 of 13)

Round Hound?  Curvy Kitty?  Click here for tips on peeling off the pounds! (Continued)

6) Trim the Treats

Better yet, trash the treats.  IF and only if your pet does something to earn a food reward, a SMALL treat can be given.  How small? About the size of a pencil eraser, regardless of the size of the pet.  Remember, it’s not the treat, it’s the treat event.  Supplement the treat with lots of praise for a job well done so that her focus shifts from acquiring food to making you happy.  Treats should not be given as “dessert” or as part of a daily routine.  Resist the temptation to give in to a pet that is begging for treats.  This teaches our pet’s that we are not really in charge, and leads to annoying behaviors that can make them difficult to live with.

Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 6 of 13)

Round Hound?  Curvy Kitty?  Click here for tips on peeling off the pounds! (Continued)

5) High Five for Food Drive!

While food drive can cause some annoying behaviors, it can also be your friend.  The desire for a food reward can help your dog learn new behaviors to replace unwanted ones.  A pet that begs for food is saying "This is what motivates me".  Food rewards can be used to teach tricks and games that relieve boredom, increase confidence, and burn calories.  Food driven dogs are often eager pupils and quick studies.  Grendel's food drive is off the charts.  Her favorite game is to wait patiently while we hide a scented treat.  She must then use her nose to find it.  This game satisfies the need in her dachshund DNA to track a scent.  Additionally, she learns that she does not get treats by demanding them, but rather, by working for them.  It solidifies our position as pack leaders by re-enforcing our roles as providers of food, and forces her to burn a lot of calories searching for a low calorie treat.  Most importantly -  IT'S FUN!

Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 5 of 13)

Round Hound?  Curvy Kitty?  Click here for tips on peeling off the pounds! (Continued)

4) Hunger vs. Food Drive

Many pet parents object to reductions in portion size, insisting that their pets are always hungry.  Cats and dogs descended from wild animals whose every thought revolved around food.  The desire to seek out and obtain food, or food drive, was vital for their survival.  While our modern day house pets will never need to track and kill a wildebeest, most of them have retained that primal urge to obtain food.  This does not mean your pet is hungry, or underfed.  She is simply being an animal.  If she knows food is kept in the pantry, she will camp near the pantry.  If she knows treats come from Abuela, she will harass Abuela.  Fortunately, our pets have other drives that can often take the place of obsessive food drive.  A food-driven dog will usually enjoy a brisk walk.  Food-driven cats are often content to "kill" a crinkly toy.  Next time, we'll talk about how to make food drive work FOR you, rather than against you.

Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 4 of 13)

Round Hound?  Curvy Kitty?  Click here for tips on peeling off the pounds! (Continued)

3) Small Meals, More Often

One of the most common weight loss tips humans receive is to eat between 5-6 small meals each day to help increase the body's metabolism.  While most pet parents' schedules do not allow for this number of feedings, the principle remains the same.  Many dogs and cats are fed once per day.

This causes the metabolism to slow down, store food as fat, and preserve energy.  Divide your pet's food into two portions and feed one in the morning and one in the evening.  It' likely that your pet will have more energy for walks, playtime, and other calorie burning activities.  You may also notice a reduction in unwanted behaviors such as begging and food stealing.

Grendel loves the idea of eating this whole chicken....

Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 3 of 13)

Round Hound?  Curvy Kitty?  Here are tips on peeling off the pounds! (continued)

2) Feed Appropriately Sized Portions

Now that you've read about all of the quality ingredients in your pet's new food, you should follow the instructions on how much to give your pet.  Right?  WRONG!  The sad truth of the matter is that even the most conscientious pet food producers will never ask you to  use less of their product.  It is simply not in their best interests.  As a general rule, feeding instructions should be reduced by at least 20%.  If your pet has not lost weight after about four weeks, please call our office to see if further reductions are advisable.  Bear in mind that a cup equals eight ounces.  Many of the drinking cups we find in our kitchens hold between 12 and 16 onces.  Stop by Sabal Chase Animal Clinic for a free measuring cup to ensure you are measuring your pet's portions correctly.

If reductions are in order, make them gradually.  If your pet is still hungry, try adding chopped, cooked green beans to her diet.  They are inexpensive, palatable, high in fiber, and can add lots of volume for about ten calories.  This can help your round hound feel fuller and happier.  Never add butter, salt, or seasonings.  Does that mean "people food" is okay?  Not really.  Tune in next time for some shocking statistics on just how the calories contained in our food are processed by our furry friends!

 "Lovey adores her green beans - and she's lost six pounds!"

Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 2 of 13)

Round hound?  Curvy kitty?  Here are tips on peeling off the pounds!

1) Feed a Quality Diet

While this may sound like common sense, pet parents are often at the mercy of the media when trying to ascertain food quality.  There are MANY  low quality pet foods with high dollar marketing budgets being pushed to an increasingly frustrated public.  Since pet food companies are not required to display the same nutritional information we are used to seeing on our own packaged foods, reading labels often leads to further confusion.  

When searching for a quality diet, look for a food that is high in protein (over 20%), low in fat (7%or less) and has limited ingredients.  Avoid foods that contain corn, wheat, soy, seed hulls or by-products.  These are cheap "filler foods" used to boost the profits of the pet food producer, and have no nutritional value whatsoever.  Nutritionally dense foods make our pets feel fuller for longer periods of time by satisfying their bodies' needs for fuel, rather than just filling their stomachs.  While they are often more expensive, it is not necessary to feed large amounts, and many pet parents find that their pet food dollars stretch further.  Sabal Chase Animal Clinic recommends and sells California Natural Diets.  This high quality, limited ingredient diet is available in  low fat and senior versions, and comes in a variety of flavors.  Stop by the clinic for some free samples, and stay tuned for tips on HOW MUCH we should be feeding our paunchy pets!



Is My Pet Overweight? (Part 1 of 13)

If you suspect your pet is a “round hound” or a “curvy kitty”, you are not alone.  The number of American pets who are overweight or obese has reached an all-time high.  When determining whether or not a pet is overweight, veterinarians refer to the Body Conditioning Scale.  This allows both doctors and pet parents to quickly assess a pet’s weight loss needs, while factoring in body shape, breed, muscle tone, and size.

Another useful exercise is to try and feel your pet’s ribs.  If you can feel them easily, chances are good that your pet’s weight is ideal.  If you cannot feel them at all, or have to dig through squishy layers, it’s time to make some changes in their diet and lifestyle.  Stay tuned for tips on how to keep your furry friends healthy and fit for life!