Weight Management

Over the years, we've noticed an increase in overweight pets. Pet owners sometimes go a little too far in the care and feeding of their pets but our veterinary staff is here to help. Our team can guide you in the art of pet weight loss. If you're interested in weight management for your pet, please contact us at 416-245-8805.

How does pet obesity begin?

When people have pets, they want to love and care for them. One of the ways people express love is through food. Since pets aren't likely to refuse food, owners tend to feed them extra portions and too many treats. Normally, you would take your dogs out for a walk or bring out the toys for the cats and make them move. However if you're living a lifestyle that leaves you little time to take care of yourself, you're probably not doing as much as you'd like with your pets either. The extra treats and food cause the pounds to pile on for your pets which can lead to serious health issues.

How can obesity be treated?

The most obvious solution to obesity is to restrict calories and exercise more, but that's not always the best approach for pets. Dogs who have been obese for a long period of time could have osteoarthritis or soft tissue strains or injuries that come from the efforts needed to move around. Overweight cats are likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus, hepatic lipidosis, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin problems. Many of these issues can be resolved through weight loss. 

How can a veteran help my pet's weight loss?

During your regular visits to the veterinarian, any problems with weight can be noted and discussed, so you can begin to help your pet reach a healthy weight for a long and active life.The first step towards helping your pet lose weight is to make an appointment with one of our veterinarians for an evaluation. The veterinarian will do a blood panel and physical examination to look for existing conditions related to obesity or age. Once the veterinarian knows what's going on, we can prescribe a feeding and exercise regimen that's appropriate for your pet and set a date for a follow-up appointment to re-evaluate.