Did you know that animals suffer from obesity? In fact over 60% of American pets are considered obese. While some are only a few pounds overweight, others are extremely obese. Just like humans, animals can develop arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal ailments, asthma and cancer. Obesity can also lead to a shorter life or even death.       

If you have an overweight or obese pet you should immediately discuss your animal’s age, breed, weight and health problems with your veterinarian. There are many ways to prevent and help your animal reach a healthy weight and one of the most important precautions is to never free feed. It is our responsibility to monitor their food intake and feeling that you are showing love by leaving food out is completely false. Giving left over table scraps is another fault that can potentially hurt your pet. Keeping track of their weight weekly and developing the proper moderate exercise technique safe for you pet is essential. Daily walks, playing catch, fetching toys and swimming are great ways for animals to build stamina, strengthen their legs and lose weight. 

Consistency and patience are crucial when trying to get your pet to reach their healthy weight.