Our Blog

Mira Mar Vet, your local vet in Albany

Is your pet a bit portly?

by | Sep 9, 2015 | Latest Monthly Newsletters, Pet Care

Is your canine companion a couch potato or your feline friend a bit flabby? Your pet is not alone as more than 50% of our pets are overweight.

Carrying a few extra kilos puts our pets at risk of heart disease, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and diabetes. The scary thing is that most people aren’t even aware that their pet is overweight.

Watch out for:

When you look down from above, your pet will have lost definition of his waist. Instead of an hourglass figure he might look more like an egg, or even a barrel on legs!
You can no longer ‘easily’ feel his ribs when you run your hands over his sides
A very obese pet may have neck fat, a pendulous tummy as well as fat over the hips
The very best way to determine whether your pet is overweight is to drop in for a weight check with us. This will allow us to score your pet’s body condition and, if necessary, start a weight management plan.

Getting your pet to lose weight is easier than you think! Physical exercise will help but it is crucial you are feeding your pet the correct diet and the right amount – something we can help you out with. There are diets available that will actually help your pet lose weight – including one to increase your pet’s metabolic rate.

Remember, when it comes to fighting the flab, we are here to help.