Weight Management

According to a 2018 survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are either overweight or obese. That’s more than 50 million dogs!

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What’s disheartening is that almost 50% of dog owners believe their pets’ weight is within the normal range, even when their veterinarians have assessed them as being overweight.

Why?

Too much food!
The wrong type/brand of food
Lack of exercise
Age
Breed
Genetics do play a part in weight management
Certain breeds are more prone to weight gain/fluctuations, such as Labrador/Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Dachshunds, Shetland Sheepdogs, and more.
Hormonal disorders
Various medical conditions can cause weight gain

A Purina study showed that dogs that had a restricted diet and were kept at an ideal weight lived an average of 1.8 year longer.

There is a Solution – and We Can Help!

Consult your veterinarian – Have your veterinarian perform an examination and rule out any medical conditions.
Develop an exercise plan – Our certified canine rehabilitation practitioners can develop an exercise plan to help your dog jump-start his or her metabolism with underwater treadmill therapy and therapeutic exercises.
Remember, this is a PROCESS – Crash diets don’t work; this is a lifestyle change. Plan on having your dog lose 1–2% of his or her total body weight per week. Anything more than that is too much, too fast.

How do I know if my dog is overweight?

Look for a “tummy tuck up”—From the side, the dog’s belly should be “tucked up” under his ribcage and not even with his or her belly.
You should be able to feel each of your dog’s ribs without pressing.
Look at your dog from above. You should be able to see his or her waist.