This page was scanned from Hill's Pet Nutrition's Overweight brochure.

Overweight

Why is my pet's weight so important?

Research has shown that around 50% of dogs and cats are overweight to some degree. An overweight or obese pet is at increased risk from a whole range of health problems including, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, skin complaints, breathing difficulties and arthritis.

Weight gain in pets is normally the result of an increase in body fat. This is most commonly caused by a pet eating too much, especially when combined with a lack of exercise. If more energy is being gained from food than is being used, the surplus will be stored in the body as fat.

Just like people, dogs and cats have an ideal weight. Achieving and maintaining a pet's ideal weight not only reduces these risks, but can lead to your pet having a more energetic, longer and healthier life.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to weight gain, these include:

TOO MUCH FOOD: Overfeeding your pet through inadequate portion control and giving high calorie tidbits and treats.
MEDICAL HISTORY: Occasionally weight gain is associated with a medical disorder that may require corrective treatment.
NEUTERING/SPAYING: Pets that have been neutered or spayed have a higher risk of weight gain because of their altered metabolism.
AGE: Older pets are often less active and, if so, require fewer calories.
BREED: Some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, Cocker and King Charles Spaniels and mixed breed cats, are predisposed to weight gain.
LIMITED EXERCISE: Pets that are relatively inactive may be using less energy than they are gaining from their food.

Recognising the signs of a weight problem

There are a variety of indications that your pet may be overweight:

Ribs can't be felt
Loss of an obvious waist
Difficulty in walking
Slow to move
Short of breath
Bad-tempered
Sleeps a lot

IMPORTANT

Even if your pet does not show any of these signs, it may still be overweight and this could affect its health in the future. If you are in any doubt, ask your veterinary surgeon to assess your pet's weight.

Diagnosis

When a pet's weight is up to 15% above its ideal weight then it is considered 'overweight'. If it is more than 15% above ideal weight then it is defined as 'obese'.

Your vet will weigh your pet and assess its Body Condition Score. The Body Condition Score is a measure that helps indicate if a pet is at, or above, its ideal weight.

Ideal Weight		Ribs can be felt through slight fat cover. Visible 'waist'.
Overweight		Difficult to feel ribs through moderate fat cover. Waist is hard to see.
Obese		Ribs are very difficult to feel under thick fat. No waist line.

Weight management and control

Hill's* Prescription Diet* and Hill's* Science Diet* brand petfoods provides the most complete range of products specially formulated for the successful weight management of dogs and cats. Whatever your pet's current weight, feeding an appropriate Prescription Diet* or Science Diet* product can help them achieve or maintain their ideal weight.

Prescription Diet* and Science Diet* weight management pet foods contain added L-carnitine.

L-carnitine is a water-soluble vitamin that helps weight loss because it encourages the conversion of fat to energy and preserves healthy muscles.

Hill's weight management foods make the task of controlling your pet's weight a convenient, safe and effective one.

Prescription Diet* Canine r/d* and Prescription Diet* Feline r/d* are high in fibre and low in calories to ensure that your adult pet feels satisfied whilst helping to reduce its weight.

Prescription Diet* Canine w/d* and Prescription Diet* Feline w/d* provide balanced nutrition that is low in calories and ideal for less active pets.

Science Diet* Light is superior lower calorie nutrition for otherwise healthy dogs and cats.

Prescription Diet* Canine Treats are designed to complement Prescription Diet* weight management products and have a taste dogs love.

Owner's checklist

Make an appointment for your vet to assess your pet's weight
Feed only the food recommended by your vet.
Closely follow your pet's weight management programme -such as regular times for meals, set amounts of food and recommended levels of daily exercise
Reward your pet with cuddles, playing games or going for walks rather than with food
A weight management programme requires regular, careful monitoring, so make sure you keep appointments with your vet

FEEDING GUIDE

All Hill's* Prescription Diet* and Science Diet* products are extremely palatable foods that are eagerly accepted by most pets. However if your pet does resist a change of food, the following tips may help:

Introduce the new food gradually - mix it with your pet's usual food, adding more of it each day until you have completed the change-over.
Warm canned food to body temperature - but no hotter - before feeding
If you pet refuses to eat for more than 48 hours, discuss the problem with your vet

Remember our food is 100% Guaranteed – we promise complete satisfaction or we buy it back.

In Australia Hill's Helpline: 1800679932 www.hillspet.com

In New Zealand Hill's Helpline: 045769538 www.hillspet.co.nz

*Trademarks owned or used under licence by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.