Welcome to part 2 of our weight loss series! If you missed part 1, be sure to check it out here.

So, you’ve just returned home from the vet’s office with Fido and Fluffy. You now know their current weights, and you have been provided with an estimated “goal” weight for each of them. The veterinary staff performed calculations based on their current diet and feeding amount, and have made recommendations for new diets or feeding amounts… Now what?

The veterinary team has formulated a weight loss plan for Fido, but it is up to you to implement it.

Tip #2: Get Organized

It’s great that you are dedicated to helping Fido and Fluffy shed some pounds. You want the best for them and know that achieving their ideal weight will improve their health. Now it’s time to make sure the rest of the household shares your goal.

One of the greatest detriments to a successful weight loss plan is sabotage. It’s not necessarily intentional, but it happens. A lot. Honestly, you would be shocked at the number of pets that fail to lose weight simply because:

  • The kids keep feeding Fido their pizza crust.
  • Husband/wife doesn’t measure the kibble when feeding fluffy.
  • Grandma was visiting and gave Fido & Fluffy too many treats, etc.

Extra snacks can add up quickly! Is there a repeat offender in your home?

Everyone that feeds your pet will need to understand that weight loss is in their best interest. Carrying extra weight can lead to disease or exacerbate existing medical conditions. Obesity can even reduce your pet’s lifespan! It may be uncomfortable to talk about, but it’s an important conversation to have if you want to be successful.

Once everyone is on the same page, discuss the recommended feeding plan and decide who is responsible for feeding times. If more than one person is feeding, a small whiteboard can be helpful to keep track of which meals have been fed already. We all know a pet that has tricked its owner’s into giving it second breakfast.

Schedule a family meeting to make sure everyone knows the plan and shares the same goal.

Using a whiteboard to track feeding times can help your family stay organized.

If you have frequent visitors, make sure you talk to them too! It doesn’t need to be complicated or upsetting, something simple would suffice. Try using: “please don’t feed Fido or Fluffy anything today, they are on a special diet for health reasons”.

We know that you want your pets to be healthy and happy (we do too!). So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment today. Let’s work together to develop a plan that works for you and your fur family. The sooner we start, the sooner we will reach our destination.

Want to learn more? Keep checking-in, the next part in this series is expected to post at the end of February 2020.