Top 5 Obesity Prevention Tips

TOP 5 TIPS 

TO PREVENT OBESITY IN YOUR PET

1. Feed the correct amount of food.
• Every pet has different calorie requirements for their personal activity level and metabolism. Feeding the right food, with high quality ingredients, can have an overwhelming effect on your pet - you may see changes in their appetite and activity level, as well as improvements in their skin and hair coat.
• Check out our Nutrition Handout here.
2. Provide your pet with the right amount of physical activity.

• Regular exercise increases oxygen levels in blood, keeps muscles toned and joints flexible, and relieves boredom by activating your pet's mind. All of these things, along with the fact that it will help your pet remain in tip-top shape, means a better quality of life for you and your furry friend.
• Go for walks, tease your cat with a laser pointer, hide kibble in toys and leave them around the house for your pet to hunt.
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3. Check your pet's weight regularly.
• Keep an eye on your pet's weight so you know you're allowing them the correct amount of calories for their activity level. 
• Check weight at home, or at the vet!
• Body Condition Score (BCS): You should be able to feel your pet's ribs without trying too hard while you glide your hands down their body.
• Discuss any diet changes or concerns with your veterinarian.
4. Factor in treats with your pet's calorie intake.
• Some treats can be up to half of your pet's necessary calorie intake. 
• Change from meat-flavored dog treats to vegetables, like carrots or green beans.
• Make your cat work for their treats - hide them in a toy, throw them down the hallway so they can hunt/chase them.
5. Remember: Healthy Happy Pets make Healthy Happy People!
• Be honest with yourself and your pet. Studies show 90% of owners with overweight pets believe that their pet is not overweight. 
• If you have more questions or are interested in learning more about your pet's Nutritional health, schedule an Integrative Exam with Dr. Nell to discuss your pet's lifestyle and diet.

At Lombard Animal Hospital, in Portland, Oregon we strive to increase the quality of life for pets and their people through education, 

nutrition and wellness!

Give us a call -- We'd love to see you and your pets!

503.285.2337

www.lombardanimalhospital.com

Nutrition Handout

GRAIN FREE OR LOW GRAIN FOOD – A BETTER CHOICE FOR DOGS AND CATS

NELL OSTERMEIER, DVM,  IVAS CERTIFIED VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURIST

Grains are not all bad.  However, in many formulated pet foods, the inclusion of grains results in the exclusion of vital nutrients and disrupts the balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates that is appropriate for a dog or cat. They are used as fillers. Dogs and cats do not NEED grains for energy: Meat, vegetables, herbs and fruit can make up a perfectly balanced diet for our canine and feline friends and while providing more essential nutrients than grain.

Here are some reasons to avoid or limit grains in your pet’s diet:
-    Grains break down to sugar, sugar is stored as fat.  Low to moderate activity dogs and cats
(I think that’s most of the cats out there!) can be prone to gaining weight because they do not use the calories ingested from the grains.  Excess fat storage over time leads to disease.
-    Grains may incite an inflammatory reaction from the body.  In most cases pets are not truly allergic to grain, but they may be intolerant. They do not process the grains effectively, causing an upset of gastrointestinal and/or skin health.
-    Grains can trigger mucous production, contributing to chronic and acute health issues such as allergies, asthma, digestive disorders, ear and skin infections.
-    Contaminated grains have been involved in many pet food recalls.
-    For our clients that utilize Alternative Medicine, including Acupuncture, you may be aware that grains potentiate Heat and Damp in the body. Many syndromes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originate from an excess of Heat and Damp.  For example, Hot Spots, Ear infections and Lower Urinary Tract Disease.  If you do not utilize alternative medicine, you can still appreciate Heat and Damp equal inflammation and oozing in Western terms.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS ON HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN IN THE DIET

•    Real meat should be the first ingredient.

•    Vegetables and fruits can make up all or the majority of the carbs and vitamins.
•    The source of protein should be high quality. Researching the integrity of the food company will help you to determine if the quality meets your standards for your pet.  We recommend visiting a local, reputable pet food store, such as Healthy Pets Northwest (NE 20th and Alberta) for options and information regarding individual brands.
•    Feeding high quality canned food as part of the diet increases water content and benefits digestion and hydration.  This is especially important for cats - we recommend 50-100% canned food or a veterinarian formulated home-cooked recipe for our feline friends.
•    If grains are included in the food – they should be natural and unrefined.

CALCULATING ENERGY REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PET (kilocalories needed per day):

Maintenance:  (Weight in Lbs. X 15) + 70 = ______________________kcal daily
Wt. Loss:    Maintenance Kcal X 0.8 (80%) = ____________________ kcal daily
Wt. Gain:     Maintenance Kcal X 1.2 (120%) = __________________ kcal daily

*THESE ARE APPROXIMATIONS BASED ON MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS. EACH PET’S CALORIE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE UNIQUE BASED ON THEIR METABOLISM, LIFE STAGE, AND ACTIVITY LEVEL.