Does your pet need
to get in shape?
Pet Weight Management
The result of pets being overweight
can lead to heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis and decreased
mobility to name but a few.
There are sometimes certain
breeds or circumstances
where an animal may be
more prone to putting on
weight e.g. hormonal
problems, post neutering etc. But a fit and healthy animal
should be able to lose weight and get in shape safely if
put onto an appropriate diet and monitored regularly for
progress and health by a veterinary professional.
It is important to assess our pet's body condition to
ascertain how much if any weight a pet needs to lose.
This should be done by a professional and most veterinary
practices offer weight management advice or clinics that will
be run by vets or nurses in your local area. Some breeds
vary massively in size so your pet could be overweight even
though they are within the average for their breed.
If your pet does need to get in shape it is important to use a
good quality diet that is well balanced with the correct nutrients
s cutting down their normal diet can restrict the nutrients they
ive which can lead to deficiencies.
It is possible to restrict a pet's ordinary diet and assist them in losing weight
but some diets are specifically designed, just like those for humans. These help
ensure gradual weight loss without your pet feeling hungry. Dieting cats is
especially challenging and the specially designed diets can be incredibly helpful.
Every pet is unique so an appropriate diet will be selected to meet their individual
requirements. A plan will be constructed outlining feeding amounts and exercise
regimes and then follow up appointments will be scheduled to check progress.
However, one of the main factors seen for pets gaining weight is that they have
far too many treats! You have to consider that these are not calorie free and
include them in your calculations. It is possible to use the odd treat but you have
to be as strict with your pet as you would have to be with yourself! No point in
undoing all the good work with a sneaky biscuit here and there!
Make sure you avoid the idea of a crash diet which can be incredibly dangerous
for cats! Weight loss for your pet should be gradual and should be approximately
1-3% of their body weight a week to ensure that only fat is lost and that they
remain healthy. Adjustments may need to be introduced over time but this will be
tailored to your pet's needs.
Exercise may help, but unlike us humans, exercise alone generally doesn't
work. Trying to increase your daily walks should help, as will encouraging your
cat to play.
If a weight loss plan is followed correctly you will soon start to see results and
you will see how much healthier your pet looks and feels!
With Christmas just over we can all understand the feeling of
overindulging and wanting to get into shape for the New Year.
Whilst for us it is our choice how much we eat and how much exercise we do our
pets rely on us for everything; we control their food, home environment, exercise,
care and attention. With some 40% of the pet population now being classed as
obese this does seem to be a growing trend. The cause of obesity in pets is
much the same as it is for us, more calories consumed than energy expended,
which leads to excess calories being stored by the body as fat.
As a responsible owner you will need to ensure that your pet is
vaccinated, wormed and identichipped. Your veterinary surgeon will
also discuss with you the importance of pet insurance and while you
always hope nothing will happen, you can never be too sure!
There are many different providers ranging from the traditional
insurance companies to supermarkets and department
stores offering pet insurance at a range of prices and with
varying levels of cover. Pet insurance is there to cover
the cost of illness or injury, giving you peace of mind.
Here are a few details you should consider when
choosing the right insurance policy for your pet:
l
Always take the time to check the small
print across a range of policies.
l
Check that cover is adequate, over time a
single illness can cost hundreds or even
thousands of pounds.
l
Check the policy does not stipulate a time
limit for claims - this will affect degenerative,
chronic and recurring conditions which can
go on for life, not just for 12 months.
l
Is the maximum benefit per year or per condition?
l
Check the insurance extends to aged animals, i.e. will your pet still be
covered when they reach their 8th birthday? Some policies for older
pets will involve you paying a percentage of every claim in addition to
the excess.
l
Veterinary fees
- amount available per condition, exclusion clauses
and initial excess fee per condition. You may find that a low monthly
premium means that you have a higher excess.
l
Third party
- amount of insurance available in the event that the insured
animal causes an accident or injury to third parties.
l
Optional extras
- boarding during owner hospitalisation, holiday
cancellation if your pet becomes ill, advertising costs to recover lost
pets or complementary treatment cover (physiotherapy, hydrotherapy,
homeopathy or acupuncture).
As with home and car insurance, whichever pet insurance policy you
choose, there will be an excess that you will pay for each separate
condition. Vaccinations, lifestage diets and preventative products such
as worming and flea treatments are excluded. Some insurance
companies can offer a pensioner or multi-pet discount.
by
Katrina Venables RVN C-SQP CC PHC
Larkmead Veterinary Group
ying a new puppy or kitten is always an exciting time but is not without cost. There will be lots of preparation to do before bringing
your new pet home - buying toys, treats, food and somewhere cosy for your pet to sleep.
he importance of
Pet Insurance...
Wendy Carle ANA PIA
Ardene House Vet Practice