Overweight and obesity are very common among our pets - it is estimated that around 30 % of all dogs and 50 % of all cats are overweight. The most important thing you can do to prevent many of the most common illnesses in dogs and cats, such as joint problems, urinary tract diseases and diabetes, is to keep your pet at a healthy weight. On top of that you get a more alert and happier four-legged friend, and perhaps even a longer life!
During February we dive deeper into the subject of overweight, and focus on food and exercise to keep your pet in good body condition. Exercise and movement have many positive health effects on the body. It has even been confirmed in a study that dogs in good shape live on average over two years longer than overweight dogs!
In this article:
- How do I assess my pet's body condition?
- How much food should I give?
- What should I keep in mind if my dog or cat is neutered?
- How do I help my pet lose weight?
How do I assess my pet's body condition?
Step one is being able to assess whether the dog or cat is overweight or not. An established scale that is used is the Body Condition Score, where the animal is assessed on a scale between 1-9. Below you will find the scales and guidance for an assessment for both dogs and cats, as well as suggested action depending on where your pet ends up.
How much food should I give?
Do you find it hard to know how much food is right per day? Via the links below you will find our feeding recommendations. Remember that the recommendations are a guide, and that you should always start from the dog's or cat's body condition. If your pet gains weight on the current daily amount, or is already a little overweight, you may need to adjust the amount down.
If you have switched from another food, it is not certain that it corresponds to the same amount in dl, so check the table and weigh it out the first few times!
What should I keep in mind if my dog or cat is neutered?
After neutering, in both dogs and cats, the metabolism decreases and thereby the energy consumption. How much the energy need decreases is individual, but in most animals you can expect a reduction of between 10-30 %. Despite this, the appetite may be the same.
What you therefore need to keep in mind is to reduce the pet's energy intake and keep a little extra check on the weight. Below I have written two articles with tips for feeding and activation, for you who have a neutered dog or cat.
Tips and advice for feeding a neutered dog
Tips and advice for feeding a neutered cat
How do I help my pet lose weight?
My pet weighs a few kilos too much, what do I do now? First think about what your pet eats during a day - everything counts. What is not much for us, like a slice of cheese, becomes a lot for a dog or cat. Maybe that is where you should start?
In the articles below we give plenty of useful tips on how to help your pet reach a healthy weight, and ways to become active together. There is a lot you can adjust around feeding, activation and routines for both cats and dogs - as a bonus it can make everyday life more fun and strengthen the relationship between you!
Tips and advice about your dog's weight, food and activity
Tips and advice about your cat's weight, food and activity
Good luck, and please get in touch with us if you need help with feeding recommendations with Petgood!