The problem
There was no question about it: Oreo had a weight problem. The chubby Boston Terrier was tiring more easily and having trouble breathing. Oreo’s Pet Parent knew it was time to put him on a diet. She cut back on his dog treats and started feeding him smaller portions of his food, but Oreo wasn’t getting any thinner.
“Obesity can aggravate respiratory problems, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease,” says Dr. Robyn Jaynes, PetSmart veterinary expert. “Just a pound or two may make a difference in a pet’s health, so while exercising is vital to a pet’s health, watching your pet’s diet and weight are just as important.”
The solution
Start your pet on a complete weight reduction program that includes check-ups with the veterinarian, regular exercise, and a high-quality food with less calories and fat. Premium pet foods with restricted calories will have the proper amounts of protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to prevent nutrient deficiencies and keep your pet healthy while he is losing weight. Ask a PetSmart associate for suggestions on our best foods.
Foods with more calories typically contain more fat and will tend to keep more weight and fat on your pet.
“When dealing with an overweight pet, the first inclination is to simply cut the portion of his current food,” says Mark Finke, Ph.D. and pet nutritionist. “However, this seldom results in successful weight loss. Cutting portions can cause your pet to feel hungry more often which can lead to begging and cause the Pet Parent to feel guilty about feeding smaller portions.”
Reduced, light, lite and lean: What’s the difference when it comes to pet food?
Reduced calorie and reduced fat foods are recommended for weight loss while light and lean foods are usually recommended more for weight management or if your pet has a tendency to gain weight but is not yet overweight.
Foods that are labeled as light, lite, lean, low calorie, less, reduced calorie, low fat or reduced fat are regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and are defined as follows:
Light (also lite): Dry foods: 3,100 kcal per kg food. Wet: 900 kcal per kg food.
Lean: Dry foods: No more than 9% fat. Wet: No more than 4% fat.
“Less Calories” or “Reduced Calories”: The label must include the percentage of reduction and the product of comparison along with other information.
“Less” or “Reduced Fat”: Labels must include the percentage of reduction, product of comparison and maximum crude fat guarantee after the minimum crude fat guarantee in the mandatory guaranteed analysis information.
Other weight loss tips for your pet
- Determining the amount of weight your pet needs to lose
- Setting an amount for daily caloric intake
- Selecting specific amount of exercise
- Scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust calories, exercise as needed to reach the ideal weight
- Avoiding high-calorie treats
The information used in this report is approved by PetSmart nutritionists and vet experts.
Information from “Small Animal Clinical Nutrition,” 4th Edition, Hand, Thatcher, Remillard, Roudebush, Copyright 2000 by Mark Morris Institute was used in this report.
