Tips for Successful Weight Loss

The more of these you follow the easier the weight loss will be.

• Exercise your pet regularly
  • but nothing too strenuous at first. Ask us for advice.
• Feed a balanced, low calorie diet as prescribed - No Extras!
• Measure the food accurately
  • Without measuring the food, it's easy to over feed.
  • An extra 30g of dog biscuits per day can turn into 2.6 kg of fat per year!
• Change the diet gradually
  • If changing to a new diet food, do it gradually over 5-10 days, to avoid digestive upsets
• Spread your pet's daily food over 2 to 4 meals per day
  • Helps your pet burn off calories.
  • They are less likely to feel hungry.
  • Also less likely to seek treats between meals.
• Weigh your pet regularly (every 2 weeks) and record body weights on the chart provided
  • If your pet isn't losing weight as well as hoped, it may be that we will need to further decrease their daily food intake
• Make sure you have enough diet food to last until your next weigh in.
• Never allow ad-lib feeding
  • Free access to food that can be eaten whenever your pet feels hungry is a sure way to make them overweight!
• Try not to feed treats
  • If you must feed treats, set aside some of your pet's allocated dry food to use as snack
  • Use foods very low in calories eg celery, carrots or ice-cubes
  • Consider low-fat snacks such as Hill's Prescription Diet Canine Treats, but remember to reduce the reduce the amount of food fed at meal times (6 Treats = half cup Prescription Diet r/d)
  • Avoid Schmackos (which are very high in sugar)
• Feed raw bones instead of (not in addition to) the calculated diet
  • Trim the fat off the bones first
  • Try not to give bones with too much marrow (which is also high in fat)
• Reward your pet with plenty of praise, affection and playtime instead of snacks
  • Pets, especially dogs, crave your attention and praise, even more than food.
• Allocate only one person to feed your pet
  • It's less likely that your pet will be given too much by mistake.
  • If more than one person needs to feed your pet, then measure the total daily amount out each morning into a container and only get food from there for the rest of the day.
• The cooperation of all family members is important
• Buy a new smaller food bowl
  • So you don't feel that you are giving too little.
• Encourage fussy pets to eat straight away by removing any food not eaten within 30 minutes
  • It does no harm for dogs to eat nothing for 3 days, or cats for 2 days.
• Feed your pet alone, away from other pets
• Try not to handle, prepare or eat food in the presence of your pet
• Do not feed table scraps
• Indoor pets often require less food than outdoor pets.
  • They are usually less active and don't need to use as much energy to maintain their body temperature as outdoor pets do.
• Speak to your neighbours to ensure they're not providing your pet with extra treats.
• Ask us if you have any questions or problems with your pet's diet.
• Use your will power! Your pet will appreciate it in the long run.