Nutrition, diet, and exercise are going to be very important in maintaining your pet’s health and longevity. Diet is the first step to your pet maintaining an appropriate weight. Not only should you be doing your research on the best manufacturers of the food but also looking at the feeding charts that go along with your food. Dr.Pajl recommends the “big four” brands which would be Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Iams. We currently sell the Hill’s Science Diet foods, which has a variety of different versions that will better fit your pet’s current health. For example, we have prescription diets for our pets with chronic illnesses as well as diets for puppies, senior dogs, and more. Your pet should be fed a hard food diet since it provides a more balanced diet opposed to the sugary canned foods, and it assists with dental health by preventing plaque from sticking to the teeth and keeping them strong. When you finally decide which pet food best fits your pet, make sure you look at the feeding charts online or on the back of your bag to ensure you are feeding the appropriate amount. Most times pet weight gain is due to over feeding. Also, watch how many treats you’re giving your furry friend!

The reason why diet is the first step to weight management is because it can lead to many problems. Many different diseases and illnesses that we see often in the vet clinic can be linked to obesity. Depending on your pets breed being overweight could be life threatening since they are more prone to developing these diseases, a big one being heart issues. Your pet may also experience joint problems, arthritis and so much more due to all of the pressure when running, jumping, and playing. Establishing an exercise routine is very important because it helps prevent obesity and provides enrichment for your friend. Getting your pet up and moving around will activate those muscles and lead to better blood flow throughout the body. Everyone knows the saying “Move it, or lose it!” this is true for everyone! If you’re not engaging your dog and getting them up and moving around that can lead to joint issues,  arthritis, obesity, and more. This is important for each and every single one of our patients, but especially our larger breed dogs, they are at higher risk for these issues if there is too much weight gain. Keeping them in a healthy weight range will not only help keep your pet healthy, but it also assists in keeping vet visits lower and more money in your pockets!

For more information visit the AVMA website: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/your-pets-healthy-weight