When our pets carry too much weight, they suffer from the same issues as overweight humans. Lethargy, high blood pressure, joint problems, heart problems and diabetes can be all much more common in overweight dogs. Keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight is, therefore, extremely important, but it doesn't come without its challenges. Maintaining your pet's weight can also be a challenge; it's easy to overfeed your pet, especially when they give you those puppy eyes! Nutrition is the foundation of health, and a good diet can help prevent a large number of health issues associated with overweight or obesity in pets. Keeping yourself and your pet at an ideal weight can contribute to a long and healthy life for both of you.
How do I tell if my dog is overweight?
Each dog is different and will have its own individual body dimensions, so the following should be taken as a rough guide only. Young and adolescent dogs will not always grow proportionally and may become naturally lean as they go through growth spurts before they can fill out. If you have any worries or concerns about your pet's weight, then you should seek the advice of a vet.
Most common signs your dog may be overweight;
- Ribs and waist cannot be seen or easily felt.
- Slightly rounded waistline when looking from above.
- Stomach looks bloated/rounded and not tucked in
- The dog is lethargic, struggles to get up/doesn't want to play or go for walks.
See our healthy dog chart below for more information.
How to tell if my cat is overweight?
Each cat is different and will have its own individual body dimensions, so the following should be taken as a rough guide only. If you have any worries or concerns about your pet's weight, then you should seek the advice of a vet.
Most common signs your cat may be overweight;
- No waist
- Ribs, backbone and hips are difficult to feel
- Enlarged/round abdominal
How to prevent obesity?
Regular exercise is a great way to help combat obesity. Walking is a great way to exercise your dog and yourself if your dog struggles to walk try building up your walks together, remember it was the tortoise that won the race, not the hare.
Same applies to cat's, get your cat moving a little more each day. Try getting your cat to play with you some more. If your cats are indoor cats, why not try scatter feeding, make them work for their dinner.
Cut out treats/scraps. If your dog or cat is used to having lots of treats try cutting these out as this will play a huge factor in your dog putting on weight. If they have had lots of treats during the day, then think about reducing their mealtime food a little for that day.
What kind of food is good for my pet?
A high meat content with a minimum of carbohydrates are ideal for both cats and dogs, and this is where the origins of Eden's recipes are based. Eden is based on 'The Ancestral diet," this is what your dogs and cats ancestors such as the Wolf and the African Wild Cat would have typically eaten in the wild.
Although your dog and cat may not look like their ancestors, their digestive system has remained pretty much the same, so a diet of whole prey combined with occasional fruit is ideal. We offer a complete (has all the required nutrients needed for an optimum healthy diet) food for cats and dogs. All our recipes are formulated without grain, gluten and white potato. We use fresh UK ingredients, and our food is gently steam cooked to preserve all the nutrients contained within the food.
Our 80:20 range (most popular) consists of 80% meat/fish content and 20% fruit, vegetables, herbs and minerals because our food is a high meat content you typically feed less than that of leading brand foods, meaning our cost per day is significantly lower, and the bag of food last you longer.
Click here to view our 80/20 range
Eden Holistic Pet Foods; Supporting Animal Health Through Nutrition ™
Never tried our food before? Ask us about our samples.
Are you worried about your pet?
If you are worried or concerned about your pet's health, then contact a Vet immediately.
