Did You Know…..?
• On average, pets who are overweight live up to 2 years LESS than those who are at ideal body weight.
• Overweight animals are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis (joint arthritis), Diabetes, Cruciate ligament injury, Kidney Disease, Skin Disorders, Respiratory and Cardiac disease, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Inflammation, and even Cancer. They are also likely to have higher risks with anesthesia and have a reduced immune function.
• Overweight animals can show signs of pain and arthritis TWICE as early as those who are at an ideal body condition and weight loss alone can result in an up to 80% improvement in pain and lameness scores for arthritic pets. One study showed that a group of overweight dogs developed signs of pain and arthritis at 6 years of age, while the group who was not overweight didn’t develop these signs until 12 years of age! WHOA!
Whether you are an animal or a person, weight loss can be challenging. It requires discipline and let’s face it, it’s less fun to count calories than it is to be able to snack freely.
In some cases, there is a medical condition to blame for excessive weight so many times we may recommend a blood profile to make sure a medical illness has been ruled out and that a diet plan is appropriate for your pet.
If a medical condition doesn’t seem to be to blame, then when it comes to weight loss, it’s all about calories, exercise, and accountability.
Here at Up Dog, we will help determine the appropriate diet, calorie amount, and home activity that is right for your pet to get them to their goal weight. We use the underwater treadmill in the hospital for consistent low impact, high resistance exercise that helps your pet burn calories faster and safer. We help you stay accountable with follow-ups and weigh-ins. Weight loss is a team effort, and we’re here to help!
