Helping Your Pet Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Published on April 18th, 2019

It’s easy to want to spoil your pet by giving them treats and table scraps galore. While treats are okay once in awhile, they can quickly add up and take a toll on your pet’s health in the form of putting on extra weight. In fact, a veterinary survey notes that over half of the dogs and cats in the United States are overweight, putting them at risk of developing arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure and many different forms of cancer. Our veterinarian in Chicago wants to help you take care of your pet and help them lose the weight they need.

Count Calories

While it’s not necessarily ideal for humans to count calories, counting calories for your pet is an easy way to make sure they are getting the right amount of food per day. It’s important that you don’t calculate the amount of food to give solely based on the bag’s directions, as these guidelines are based off of adult cats and dogs that are not spayed or neutered. Our veterinarian in Chicago can recommend the right amount of food that your pet should be getting every day.

Feed Wholesome Treats

Treats don’t need to be avoided at all costs, but you do need to choose the types of treats that you are feeding your pet strategically. Many brands use fillers like sugar and fat in their treats, which has a negative effect on your pet’s health. Reading the ingredients on the treat bags is a great way to make sure you’re feeding your pet something healthy. You can also break the treats into smaller treats to make more servings.

Exercise

One of the best ways to take care of your pet’s health is by ensuring they get plenty of exercise. Even a 20 minute walk can help boost immune function and improve cardiovascular health. If you have a cat, you can use a laser pointer to help them get the exercise that they need.

If you need additional help on how to help your pet lose weight and stay healthy, contact our veterinarian in Chicago at Portage Park Animal Hospital!

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