It’s not about you it’s about your pet’s health.Ī commitment to reach and maintain a healthy weight for your pet requires a commitment from the entire family – a weight loss plan isn’t going to succeed if one family member sneaks your pet extra food. Your veterinarian has your pet’s best interests in mind, and his/her recommendations are based on a commitment to your pet’s good health. If you’re interested in a healthier lifestyle for yourself, consult your physician. Your veterinarian’s honest assessment of your pet’s weight and health isn’t a judgment or assessment of your own weight or level of health or a statement about your ability to care for your pet. Does your pet have any medical problems that have been caused – or made worse – by excess weight? Is your pet’s weight putting him/her at a higher risk of disease or problems? Focus on what matters – your pet’s good health and long life.

Working with your veterinarian, make an honest assessment of your pet’s health and weight. It often takes longer to lose weight than it did for your pet to gain it. In simplest terms, weight loss involves reducing your pet’s caloric intake and increasing their activity level to burn more calories. Even a modest reduction in weight can significantly reduce your pet’s risk of life-threatening diseases.Įven a modest reduction in weight can significantly reduce your pet’s risk of life-threatening diseases. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight requires a commitment to a healthier lifestyle that achieves a balance between the calories consumed and the calories used by the body for normal functions and activity. What works for one pet doesn’t necessarily work for another pet. It’s probably no surprise, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach or magic remedy to help your pet shed excess pounds. Because excess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years, keeping your pet trim gives them the best chance of a longer, healthier, and pain-free life. If your pet has arthritis, keeping him/her at a healthy weight makes it easier to manage the discomfort associated with joint pain. It can also reduce the risks of injury to bones, joints and muscles that are associated with excess weight.

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight lowers his/her risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer. American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)Įxcess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years.American Journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR).

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA).AVMA Center for Veterinary Education Accreditation.AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network (CAN).Donate to American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).

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