Weight Loss Tips for Overweight Pets

Dogs and cats can be overweight due to a poor diet, a lack of exercise, chronic illness, medications, and more. If your pet is overweight, they face a higher risk of several health problems. Hamilton Road Animal Hospital provides weight loss services including diet and exercise plans. These are important elements of weight loss for both dogs and cats. Our animal hospital serves Columbus, OH, and the surrounding areas.

Diet for Overweight Pets

We will perform a physical examination to determine what is causing your pet to be overweight. After the results are in, we will consider your pet’s diet and eating habits and develop a nutrition plan tailored to your pet’s needs. We have special canned and dry pet foods for overweight pets that help meet their nutritional needs. We will also recommend supplements and healthy treats depending on your pet’s condition. Your pet might have a chronic illness that causes weight gain. If so, our veterinarian will help you address it.

Exercise for Dogs and Cats 

A simple way to help your overweight dog is to walk them regularly. If you have a safe yard, allow your dog to run, play fetch, and partake in other active activities. A training class may help you learn new ways to exercise your dog safely.

If your cat is overweight, it will benefit from an indoor exercise routine. Toys, cat trees, and other devices can make exercise more enjoyable for your cat. Schedule regular indoor exercise for your cat – 10 minutes twice a day is a good way to begin. Our veterinarian will help you design an exercise program for your dog or cat that helps them lose weight and stay healthy.

Visit Our Animal Hospital Today

Contact Hamilton Road Animal Hospital for help developing a custom weight loss program for your pet. For more information about how we assist overweight pets or to schedule an appointment, call us at (614) 239-0027.