How to Help a Pet Lose Weight
- 1). Feed your pet less. Check with your vet or on your pet's food container to see what the ideal food measurement should be for your pet's size, age and breed. You may find that you are feeding your pet too much.
- 2). Give your pet regular exercise. Even if you can only squeeze in one or two walks, a trip to the local dog park or one good long play in the yard each week, that could be enough to help your pet shed those extra pounds.
- 3). Ask your vet to check your pet's thyroid. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, hair loss, fatigue and many other symptoms. If your pet displays these or other unusual symptoms and there is no other obvious explanation for the weight gain, a thyroid disease is possible. A simple blood test can tell you whether your pet is suffering from a thyroid issue.
- 4). Consider if you are giving your pet too many treats. Animal treats are quite frequently high in calories and fat and can dramatically increase your pet's calorie intake even if they are eating a normal amount of pet food. Cut back on treats and see whether your pet's weight drops.
- 5). Give your pet toys to play with. Sometimes weight gain can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Perhaps your pet sleeps all day while you are gone at work. Make toys accessible to your pet--so long as they ado not pose a choking hazard--and your pet will be more likely to play, and thus burn calories, while you are away.
