The Secret Behind Your Pet’s Adorableness

Human beings and their pets tend to add weight in winter. Similar to humans, animals are susceptible to a spectrum of health issues stemming from obesity. They are at a higher risk of developing endocrine disorders, arthritis, cancer, and various other diseases. This is why obesity is classified as a disease. Let’s explore tailored weight loss programs for our pets.

According to a study conducted by pet food brand Royal Canin in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, 46% of the 361 dogs and 135 cats treated at obesity clinics from 2004 to 2022 were obese, with a body condition score exceeding 9 out of 9.

The weight loss diet is initiated not by the pet but by the guardian’s will. Naturally, pets may not always follow as we wish.

Therefore, both the guardian and the pet need to proceed safely while minimizing stress. Just like humans, it’s easier to understand that a pet’s weight loss is a long-term process.

When you see your pets every day, it is hard to monitor minor weight changes. Thus, it is recommended that you measure their weight every six months and at least once a year. Another method is to measure their weight every time you visit the vet for an annual check-up.

Protein and dietary fiber are important because they provide a feeling of fullness in the stomach. Compared to other nutrients, protein and dietary fiber can quickly reduce food cravings and appetite.

Soaking dry food in water to increase its volume can also help reduce the amount of food consumed. If your pet doesn’t like it, you can mix wet food and dry food. However, when feeding, you should always accurately measure the recommended amount using a household digital scale.

One of the first habits pets on a diet should fix is eating too quickly. Chewing slowly will make them feel full after eating less food than if they ate quickly.

For this, you need a food bowl designed to take longer than usual to eat, not a flat dish. A ‘slow bowl’ designed like a maze that requires a long time for a pet to pick up and eat food is a good choice.

Donut or X-shaped dry food also lasts longer in terms of fullness because it requires more chewing than regular round food.

The appropriate exercise time can vary for each pet, but generally, it’s good to walk for at least 30 minutes a day. For pets like cats who can’t go for a walk, installing a cat tower or cat wheel and encouraging play to increase activity are some options.

By. WikiTree