This entry was posted on 2020-05-12 by Pet Heaven Store.

Did you know that almost half the pets in South Africa are overweight or obese?

You might think your pets are looking great, super cute and extra cuddly but the truth is your pets could be in an unhealthy weight bracket. Don’t take it lightly. Being as little as 20% overweight can greatly increase the risk of your pets developing a serious health condition. Excess weight can have a negative impact on your pet’s general wellbeing, happiness and overall quality of life and can significantly shorten his life expectancy compared to a healthy-weight pet.

To help you assess your pets weight place your hand on his side, and if his ribs are hard to feel or even impossible to feel, he’s likely overweight. Here are some other signs of obesity you may notice:
• Loss of an obvious waist
• Collar needs loosening
• Difficulty in walking
• Slow movement
• Shortness of breath
• Fat roll around tail base
• Sleeping more than usual

Another way to assess your pets weight is by referring to the Body Conditioning Score chart below. The body condition score is a scale from 1–5 that quantifies how overweight or underweight a dog is. A score of 1 out of 5 is a dog that is emaciated, whereas a score of 5 out of 5 is a dog that is obese. An ideal body score is 3 out of 5.

“But what can I do?” you might be thinking. You can help your pet lose weight and maintain optimal condition by:
1) Choosing the right food for weight control.
2) Exercising your pet through a regular walk or game of fetch.
3) Encouraging playful activity through the use of toys.
4) Adding a supplement to their diets to encourage weight loss:
a. Joint supplement to increase mobility, getting them to be more active
b. A probiotic supplement to aid in digestion and increase vitality.

Weight plays a vital role in your pet’s health, and with effort and dedication, your pet will soon be at a healthy weight with an optimum body condition score. And your pet will likely thank you with many healthy years to come!