Pudgy Pets

At Copper Hill Animal Clinic, we absolutely understand how difficult it is to maintain a healthy weight in a pet who gazes up at us so beseechingly while we eat something particularly aromatic at the dinner table. How could it hurt to give one sliver of chicken, a crust
of bread, or a spoonful of pudding? Our naughty cat Finnegan stole a whole drumstick off the table just a few weeks ago, and while we should have been taking it back from him we instead found ourselves laughing at his attempts to drag it across the floor. The silly boy has since been barred from the table.
The truth of the matter is that our pets eat too much and exercise too little. Large dogs bred to pull sleds across tundra languish in their homes on the rug. Cats sleep in fuzzy lined beds, barely walking 100 feet to a food bowl, rather than jumping, attacking and working for their prey. The portion sizes listed on the back of the food bag are often vague and confusing, leading to a bowl filled with more food than should actually be given. And all of this leads to a simple truth, that obesity is now the number one metabolic disease of pets.
The happy news is many options exist for weight management. While most of them do involve caloric management, using specialty foods can help your pet feel full while helping to fill their stomach with foods that are high in fiber. Daily exercise can definitely help as well, but the greatest weight loss can be achieved through measuring a set amount of calories to provide for your pet. If you free-feed your pets, consider starting with measured meals, two to three times a day. If you need further support, feel free to make an appointment and we can discuss the best plan for you and your furry friend.
For more information please call Copper Hill Animal Clinic 661-296-8848, or visit their website at: copperhillanimalclinic@gmail.com

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