Weight Management
Weight management can be a sensitive topic but our intention is to equip you with the skills to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Different factors like your pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle can influence the types of food they eat. Since weight is connected to lifespan as well as the types of preventable diseases, they’re more susceptible to, it’s important to find ways to help your pet regulate their weight. Bring any questions or concerns about your pet’s eating or drinking habits so we can work together for the benefit of your pet’s quality of life.
How do I know if my pet is overweight?
It’s hard to tell if your pet is overweight simply by looking at them. Some pet owners might have different perceptions of what an overweight furry friend looks like, but our expert veterinary team can provide you with the best information. By doing regular weight check-ins during your pet’s visits, we’re able to assess what a healthy weight is for them as well as steps to meet it. Please connect with our team at 604.858.4415 if you have concerns about your pet’s weight.
How does weight management work?
Based on your pet’s healthy weight metric, we’ll help you create a plan to get them there. This might include acknowledging that a healthy weight goal isn’t a destination, it’s a lifestyle. You will need to continue to help your pet maintain their weight with good habits throughout their life, even after they’ve met their goal. It’s important to find ways to be your pet’s biggest cheerleader. You are your pet’s number one support on this journey. We suggest rewarding them with play and quality time when they’re on the right track. Take the time to learn ways to support their nutrition as well as get the entire family involved.
How do I know when my pet is full?
If your pet has extra food available, most likely they will eat it. Portion control is the best way to prevent your pet from overrating. Regulate the amount of food they eat by discussing what a good portion looks like with our veterinary team, based on their breed, health needs and lifestyle. If your pet has access to their food source, try to change its location so they only retrieve it during meal times. Pet owners tend to give their pets too many treats. A good rule of thumb is treats should only be 10% of their total daily calorie intake.
