Help your pets lose those excess pounds
Join a Pet Weight Watchers club near you!
By Liz Jefferson PHC RVN: Head Nurse, Lye Surgery
I have a particular interest in pet nutrition and have been running weight clinics at Lye surgery for nearly six years with excellent results. Unfortunately we all cringe that we may have gained a few extra pounds but it’s not just us, it’s our pets that can gain weight too!
Whilst very occasionally metabolic disorders can result in a pet becoming overweight, in most cases obesity from too much food intake and too little exercise is normally the cause of the problem.
Even though neutering is always a recommendation, their appetites increase by 28% within 48 hours of their operation resulting in our little ones becoming not so little anymore and instead they pile on the pounds in no time, unless a strict feeding and exercise regime is in place!
Animals have different metabolism to humans, so letting your pet have a slice of toast whilst we eat breakfast, a digestive biscuit or glass of milk before bedtime, is actually the equivalent of them having a big mac meal!
Being overweight can be uncomfortable for your pet and makes them less able to play and exercise. Obesity may also predispose your pet to, or aggravate the following problems:
- Mobility disorders (arthritis, spinal, hip problems)
- Liver disease
- Heart problems
- Diabetes
- Urinary problems
- Heat intolerance
- Poor coat/skin
- Lower resistance to infectious diseases, lowers your pet’s life expectancy by a third!
In my weight clinics I have always used Royal Canin food, which when used in conjunction with exercise, has proven excellent results and our pets love it too! It ensures healthy and controlled weight loss, maintaining a balanced protein and enriched with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help your pet’s body during weight loss. It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine which helps support your pets joints.
The weight clinic nurse at your branch surgery is dedicated to helping you keep your pet healthy. You will receive a full weight clinic consultation where the nurse will weigh your pet and calculate the food intake necessary to lose weight. She will also provide you with before and after photographs and a weight record book to keep a close eye on your pet’s weight loss. So why not join our pet weight watchers club today, ring your branch to book an appointment and in no time your pet will be shedding those excess pounds.
