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Slim Fit Program| Heavy ON Hugs Not Helpings Please! |
Every day we make choices regarding our pet’s diet, level of exercise and overall well-being. These choices are particularly important when you notice that your pet has gained a few extra pounds. By modifying your pet’s diet and level of exercise, with a little help from our veterinary team, you will improve the quality of your pet’s life. |
- Over 40% of pets are overweight
- As little as 10 minutes of exercise a day, as part of a weight loss program, can help your pet lose weight
- Reducing your pet’s weight by 1 lb. can be equivalent to a person losing 15 lbs
- Feeding several small meals a day may contribute to faster weight loss
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| Why are a few extra pounds so significant? |
One or two pounds may not sound like a lot, but for a dog or cat, those extra pounds may be the equivalent of 10-20 excess pounds for a person. Helping your pet lose a few pounds will greatly improve his/her overall health. Compare the weight gain of a dog or cat to the equivalent for a 150 lb person. |
| Equivalent weight gain for a 150 lb person | | | 5% | 10% | 15% | | Dog - 25 lb | 1 1/4 lb | 2 1/2 lb | 3 3/4 lb | | 50 lb | 2 1/2 lb | 5 lb | 7 1/2 lb | | 75 lb | 3 3/4 lb | 7 1/2 lb | 11 1/4 lb | | 100 lb | 5 lb | 10 lb | 15 lb | | | | | | | Cat - 10 lb | 1/2 lb | 1 lb | 1 1/2 lb | | 15 lb | 3/4 lb | 1 1/2 lb | 2 1/4 lb | | 20 lb | 1 lb | 2 lb | 3 lb | | | | | | | 150 lb Person | 7 1/2 lb | 15 lb | 22 1/2 lb |
It is difficult to detect a gradual increase in your pet’s weight. For this reason, it is very important to weigh your dog or cat regularly. Our team would like to help you keep track of your pet’s weight. Please contact us and we would be happy set up a convenient time for you and your pet to come in to be weighed. By removing any extra weight, not only are you improving the quality of your dog or cat’s life – you are actually extending the life of your pet. |
| 1: With the help of our veterinary team, learn how to score the body condition of your dog or cat. |
This simple technique allows you to assess if your dog is overweight. |
| 2: We will prepare a SlimFit weight loss program that is designed specifically for your pet. |
This program will determine the most appropriate diet and feeding amounts, and provide you with nutrition and exercise tips to best help your dog achieve an ideal weight. |
| 3: Follow the weight-in schedule our veterinary team recommends as closely as possible. |
Regular weight-ins are necessary to ensure success! |
Weight loss is never easy – neither for us nor for our pets! That’s why we are here to provide ongoing encouragement, suggestions and ideas to help your pet achieve an ideal weight and maintain this weight after the excess is lost. Please don’t hesitate to call with any questions or concerns you might have! |
| 5: Heavy on Hugs…Not Helpings |
Are you feeding your pet correctly? We will help you select the diet that is best suited for a successful weight loss program for your dog or cat based on: |
- Activity level
- Current medical conditions
- Taste preference
- Level of satisfaction of your pet feeling ‘full’
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The choice of diet is fundamental to the success of your pet’s weight loss program. All overweight pets need a lower fat diet (fat contributes twice the calories/gram as compared to protein or carbohydrate). However, it is important to increase the protein level in the diet to ensure that we maintain your pet’s muscle while reducing body fat. In some cases, an increase in fibre may be beneficial in a weight loss diet. Most importantly, never use a diet designed for maintenance feeding as a weight loss diet. Reducing the amount of this diet enough to induce weight loss can result in nutrient deficiencies that can be harmful to your pet’s health. |
| 6: Measure your feeding portions... |
Measuring accurately how much you are feeding your pet is essential for success. Use a measuring cup and be diligent about portions. |
| 7: Avoid high calorie treats... |
Ask your veterinary health care team about healthy, low calorie treat choices. |
Does your dog get enough exercise? If your dog’s exercise routine is limited to the daily jog to greet you at the front door, you may want to consider the many benefits of additional exercise for your pet. Enjoying a daily activity with your dog is an easy way to improve your dog’s overall health.
How can you help him or her become more active? Start by choosing one activity such as a daily walk. To keep it interesting for both of you, try new routes and different locations. By including a daily exercise like walking as part of your dog’s weight loss program, you have teamed up with the perfect fitness partner. Your canine companion will look forward to a workout session every day and will encourage you to join in this daily routine – often with a leash in his or her mouth! As your dog becomes more fit, you can add other activities such as swimming or a variety of games.
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Does your cat get enough exercise? If your cat does more lying in the sunshine than chasing toy mice, you cat may not be getting enough daily exercise. Cats are natural hunters and if left on their own they would get their daily activity while searching for a meal. If your cat is inactive, then you may need to create a ‘hunting environment’ for your cat.
How can you help your cat become more active? By creating an environment in which your cat can ‘hunt’ indoors. To do this you will need toys that mimic ‘prey’ so that they encourage your cat to hunt, chase and pounce on them. Interacting with your cat and its toys will promote even more activity and allow you to enjoy each other’s company. Many cats really enjoy stalking and chasing laser pointers.
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**The ultimate goal is to get your pet up and moving. Every bit of activity counts!
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Click here for some Frequently Asked Questions about our weight loss program for additional help...FAQ If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact our veterinary team! |
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