Vets and Veterinary nurses have seen an 81% increase in pet obesity in the past 2 years alone, meaning pet obesity is becoming a major problem. Being overweight can seriously decrease your pets quality of life, as well as causing numerous health problems, such as, Diabetes, Osteoarthritis and anaesthetic complications, to name but a few.
Studies have shown that dogs fed to their ideal Body Condition Score lived 1.8 years longer than dogs that were overweight. Obesity is also directly linked to joint disease, with 90% of dogs over 5 years of age and 61% of cats over 6 years of age suffering.
What can you do to help your pet?
Here at St Boniface Vets, we run Free Weight Clinics with our veterinary nurses, who will be able to discuss your pets weight, diet and exercise, as well as guiding your pet on their weight loss journey. All of the nurses are trained in weight management and nutrition, and can help you tailor a plan to you and your pets needs, to ensure that they lose weight healthily, while increasing their quality of life and general health.
The benefits of Weight Clinics are not limited to weight loss. Being a healthier weight will ensure your pet has better mobility, as well as aiding in respiratory and cardiac function – especially important for Brachycephalic animals, for example a Pug or a Persian Cat. Less pressure on the animals limbs will also minimise the risks of Osteoarthritis and Joint Disease.
Furthermore, until 31st May, Specific Pet Food are running a get in SHAPE campaign to promote healthy weight loss. It is important to your pets health that they lose weight correctly, and with the help of Specific Weight Reduction food, this can be easily managed.
What’s more, if you purchase your first bag of Specific Weight Reduction food and sign your pet up to a Free Weight Clinic, you will receive a voucher for your second bag of Specific Weight Reduction food free! You can also enter your pet into the SHAPE competition; the winner will be chosen by Specific, and based on the greatest percentage loss of bodyweight, the grand prize being a year free supply of Specific Weight Reduction food for your pet.
To book in for your Free Weight Clinic, please phone the practice on 01363 772860.
In the meantime, please click on the PDF below to view the Treat Calculator.
