Gray County Veterinary Clinic offers nutritional counseling for pet owners of Pampa and the surrounding communities. Obesity is a common problem among pets, as it can be easy to over-feed a pet that knows how to beg. But being overweight is a serious problem for animals. In fact, over 58% of our patients are overweight or obese! This can cause serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoarthritis as they get older. With proper diet and exercise, all pets should be able to meet their dietary needs and be within a healthy weight range.
Pet’s nutritional needs change as they enter different stages of their lives. Puppies and kittens need the highest caloric intake of all ages. It is important to remember that this requirement decreases as they get older. In fact, when puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered, their metabolism decreases by an average of 25%. The best way to make sure your pet’s needs are being met is to consult with us about a pet food made specifically for his or her lifestyle.
Just like in people, calories count! Everything that a pet ingests, besides water, has calories. Ask our veterinary team how many calories your pet should have on a daily basis to prevent obesity. And always remember, treats should account for no more than 10% of the total caloric intake each day.
Since 58% of our patients are obese, where is your pet on the chart? Identify if you baby is a 6, 7 8 or 9! You may select either the canine body condition score chart, or the feline body condition score chart.
If you have any questions about your pet’s diet or would like more information about your pet’s nutritional needs, please make an appointment today. We can set up a nutrition plan for your pet.