How to combat obesity in dogs and cats

In cats, a clear sign of excess weight is a "pouch" in the lower abdomen and a small fold. In addition, there are other symptoms of obesity: joint pain and lameness, shortness of breath, excessive fatigue and minimal activity of the pet, problems with stools, fat pads in the hips and back. All symptoms can be harbingers of serious diseases, so we strongly recommend that you consult a veterinarian. How to deal with a pet's excess weight? First, the cause of obesity should be identified in a veterinary clinic. At the reception, the specialist will collect a thorough medical history and send it for the necessary research.

After determining the cause, the doctor will prescribe drug therapy, if required by a clinical case. If the problem lies in banal overeating or an unbalanced diet, then the pet will be prescribed a special diet. Many people believe that the animal is malnourished and hungry during the diet. That's not so. Almost all diets for weight loss consist of a large amount of fiber. With its help, the animal will feel satiated. Also, the maximum content of high-quality proteins allows you to reduce weight and serves as a good prevention of obesity. Next, you should increase the activity of the pet. For example, there are special fitness centers for animals, where they can exercise on treadmills or swim in pools under supervision. However, even without them, the owner is able to stimulate the pet to physical activity and exercise. For example, outdoor games with a dog show good effectiveness – frisbee, tug of war, throwing a ball or stick, running, etc. In the summer, you can encourage your pet to swim in natural reservoirs in order to reduce weight. You can play "teasers" with cats, buy wind-up mice or ordinary bouncing balls. It is recommended to increase the intensity of physical activity smoothly so that the animal performs the exercises with pleasure.