Overweight and obesity are incredibly common among our pets - it is estimated that approximately 30% of dogs and 50% of cats are overweight. The most important thing you can do to prevent many of the most common diseases in dogs and cats, such as joint problems, urinary tract diseases and diabetes, is to keep your pet at a proper weight. Not to mention it also makes for a more energetic and happy four-legged friend!
What can I do to change my pet's weight with exercise?
Making your pet lose weight with exercise requires a lot of commitment from you as a pet owner - it is usually needed in combination with adjustment of food and treats. But it is also the most fun way, and can also lead to you and your pet doing more things together and getting a stronger bond!
Here are some tips on excersises you and your dog can do together.
Here are some tips on excersises you and your dog can do together.
All extra food matter
It's easy to think that all the extra food given between feedings doesn't add much, but in total it can add up to a full meal or even more. The picture next to it makes it clear - it shows what a small extra bite for a 15 kg dog would correspond to for a human. If you have a small dog, that means even more!
WHAT SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND IF MY DOG OR CAT IS NEUTERED?
After castration, both in the case of dogs and cats, metabolism and thus energy consumption decreases. How much the energy requirement is reduced is individual, but in most animals you can count on a reduction of between 10-30%. Despite this, the appetite may be the same. What you therefore need to think about is reducing the pet's energy intake and keeping a close eye on the weight. Down below you can find two articles with tips for feeding and activation, for those of you who have a neutered dog or cat.
How do I assess my pet's body condition?
Step one is to be able to assess whether the dog or cat is overweight or not. A widely accepted scale used is the Body Condition Score, where the animal is graded on a scale between 1-9. Below you will find the scales and guidance for an assessment for both dogs and cats, and also the suggested action depending on where your pet ends up.
How much food should I give?
Do you find it difficult to know how much food is adequate per day? On the links below you can find our feed recommendations. Keep in mind that the recommendations are a guide, and that you should always start from the dog or cat's body condition. If you have changed from another feed, it is not certain that it corresponds to the same amount in dl, so check the table and weigh the first few times. If your pet is putting on weight or is already a bit overweight, you may need to adjust the dosage down.