Weight Management

With our unconditional love for our pets, we tend to think that giving food is love. However, too much of that “love” can lead to obesity and other health problems. Maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult, but doing so will add extra years to your pet's life. If you are concerned about your pet's weight, call us at 416-537-9677.

What are the risks associated with obesity?

Obesity is not a laughing matter, especially when even just 5 pounds above the ideal body weight can put your dog at risk for certain medical conditions. Some of the common disorders associated with obesity include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints
• High blood pressure
• Many types of cancer

Is my pet obese?

The easiest way to tell if your pet is obese is by looking at their ribs. Relax your hand and run your fingers across the back of your hand around the knuckles. This is what your pet's ribs should feel like; individual bones covered with minimal fat. If you are still unsure, don't hesitate to contact our veterinary team for an expert evaluation.

What can I do to manage my pet's weight?

The solution to managing your pet's weight may not be as simple as feeding more or less food. Many factors need to be weighed in, so the first and most important thing to do would be to book your pet in for a weight management consultation. From there, we can formulate a weight loss/gain program for your pet and adjust accordingly after tracking their progress for a couple of weeks. In some cases, we may offer special veterinary weight loss diets.