Diet For Weight Loss In Pets
Written by Shula Berg BVSc CertAVP(GSAS) GPAdvCert(SASTS) MRCVS
Clinically reviewed by Elizabeth McLennan-Green BVM&S CertAVP(SAM) MRCVS
Table Of Contents
- What should I feed my pet?
- How much should I feed my pet?
- Can I give my pet treats?
It is well understood that to lose weight, we must ingest fewer calories than we are burning each day. The same is true for our pets. Although it is tempting to simply reduce the amount being fed, this is imprecise, often ineffective, and can risk causing more problems. Instead, a carefully considered diet plan is recommended to achieve steady, safe weight loss with the best chance of maintaining a healthy weight long-term.
What should I feed my pet?
The pet food market is saturated with options, and picking a diet can be overwhelming at the best of times. It is very tempting to continue with your current diet, whether this is kibble, raw or home cooked, and simply reduce the amount offered. We must consider that reducing the total food given will reduce intake of all components equally, including important parts of the diet such as key nutrients. If we reduce the ration too far, we risk causing a deficiency, so feeding reduced amounts of their regular food is really only suitable for pets who are very mildly overweight or looking to prevent weight gain. Rarely, moderate or severely overweight pets may continue on their normal food if they have other health requirements or dietary allergies. Due to the risks involved, this should always be under the guidance of your vet.
Weight management food refers to a prescription diet, specifically formulated for pets who are moderately or severely overweight (Body Condition Score 7-9). It contains reduced calorie and energy levels without compromising nutrition, even when fed in very small amounts, due to high micronutrient density. As well as increased fibre levels to keep pets feeling full, weight management diets have increased protein levels to maintain muscle mass during weight loss. Protein also helps prevent hunger, keeping pets satisfied for longer in between meals. Weight management diets commonly contain L-carnitine supplementation, as this facilitates fatty acid oxidisation, potentially increasing fat loss. Weight management diets are specially designed to promote safe, gradual weight loss, and are strongly recommended for moderately or severely overweight pets.
Different weight management foods are available; we recommend Royal Canin Satiety Weight Management, which comes in wet and dry variations. Any new food should always be introduced gradually, but weight management diets are usually well tolerated. Due to the increased fibre content, it is not uncommon for pets to pass larger volumes of faeces when on weight management food.
How much should I feed my pet?
There is no simple answer for how much to feed, and it is strongly recommended to arrange a free weight clinic with a veterinary nurse to create an individual feeding plan for your pet.
Broadly speaking, we must feed for the pet’s ideal weight. This may not be the same as their weight goal (also referred to as the target weight), as for patients who are severely overweight it is unrealistic to aim for such a large loss in one go. Rather, targets are set along the way and the goal weight reviewed during the weight loss program. Even reaching an initial target can lead to a dramatic increase in quality of life. A pet’s ideal weight can be determined using historical data, especially if weight has been recorded regularly through their lifetime, or by estimating the percentage of excess bodyweight present using body condition scoring.
Safe weight loss varies between patients, but loss of 1% of bodyweight per week is often considered realistic. If weight loss is not occurring, the amount fed is reduced by 5-10% at a time until an appropriate rate of weight loss is seen. Sometimes several adjustments are needed to generate effective weight loss at an appropriate rate; your veterinary nurse will advise you.
Can I give my pet treats?
Commercial pet treats are commonly very calorie dense, meaning there is a lot of energy in a relatively small volume. Feeding treats through the day can have a significant impact on total energy intake, even when the volume of food fed appears low. This includes dental sticks and treats used during training.
Often, treats are an important part of our physiological and emotional bond with our pets - used as a reward for good behaviour, as training aids, or to balance negative experiences like being left alone. It’s important to remember, however, that often the process of receiving additional food outside of a mealtime, and directly from your hand, is more important to your pet than the treat itself. For some pets, attention in the form of play, fusses or grooming is just as rewarding as food.
Ideally, all treats would be eliminated when a weight management program is started, though we know this can be very difficult. As a general rule, treats should make up no more than 5% of the total diet, and they must be factored in when planning food allowances. Low calorie treats are available, and can often be broken into smaller pieces. If regular treat giving is an important part of behavioural training, try setting aside some of the daily allowance of kibble each morning and use this throughout the day. Alternatively, consider other food options. Many pets enjoy ice cubes, especially in warm weather, and even cats can be persuaded to take vegetables as treats if truly hungry! Carrots are safe but have a high sugar content, so try cauliflower or broccoli florets, green beans, watermelon or even boiled courgette (surprisingly popular!).
Disclaimer
Please note that the content made available on this webpage is for general information purposes only. Whilst we try to ensure that at the time of writing all material is up to date and reflects industry standards, we make no representation, warranties or guarantees that the information made available is up to date, accurate or complete. Any reliance placed by yourselves is done so at your own risk.
Page last reviewed: 30th December 2024
Next review due: 30th December 2026