Pet Care Includes Weight Management

Rotund pets may seem cute or funny to casual observers, but pet obesity is no laughing matter. More than half of all U.S. pets carry more weight than they should, and this extra weight can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Here at All Creatures Vet Service we regard weight management as an essential aspect of pet care, so here are some tips from your friendly Arlington veterinarian.

When Pet Obesity Requires a Veterinarian

Why do pets become obese? Contrary to popular myth, it is not due to spaying or neutering, which can both be done at our veterinary center. Some cases of obesity indicate a medical problem. A hypoactive thyroid, for example, can lower your pet’s metabolism so that it packs on the pounds without overeating, while a kidney or heart disorder can lead to water retention and bloating.

We can check your pet for any underlying condition that might be causing obesity. More commonly, however, your pet is either eating the wrong food or eating too much of the right food. "Human food" usually contains more fat than a pet needs, and the bad habit of handing out table scraps encourages overeating as well. Owners must choose what foods to give their pets and enforce those choices until the pet accepts the situation without whining or begging.

Sometimes we humans assume that pets have to eat on a regular timetable simply because we do. While your pet may have trained itself to expect dinner at exactly the same time every day, pets only need to eat when they are hungry. You should not try to force your pet to eat if it would rather skip a given meal -- when it gets hungry, it will eat. Sick animals, however, may keep refusing meals and may require a visit to our animal vet clinic.

Does your pet have an unusual food preference? Tell us about it here!