Weight Clinics
Understanding that obesity is a problem is only the first step in ensuring our pets are healthy. Losing weight is hard, and if your pet is significantly overweight it can be really challenging to change this. We understand that weight loss is slow, frustrating, and not “one size fits all” – much like with ourselves, it is very easy to become demotivated. Many pet owners worry that they are going to harm their pet through excessive food restriction, and it can be tough to find a balance between what is appropriate but also effective.
Our veterinary nurses understand these concerns, and want to help you along this journey. They have a wealth of experience to help create a personalised plan, whether that is weight reduction for general health, or working towards a specific target such as orthopaedic surgery. We understand how important obesity management is, and that our help can make a significant difference.
What to expect
When you are referred to weight clinics the first step is an initial consultation. This is an in-depth appointment, in which the nurse will do a lot of information gathering to help formulate a plan. They will ask you various questions, as well as recording your pets starting weight, body condition score, and neck, chest and abdomen measurements. They may also take some “before” photos to monitor progress! It is really helpful if everyone responsible for feeding the pet attends the appointment.
Information gathering might be done face to face, or you may be asked to fill out a questionnaire and/or a food diary before the appointment. Typical questions include:
- Any ongoing medical conditions and medications
- Current diet (type and amount of food, supplements, treats etc.)
- Lifestyle information (daily routine, exercise, home environment etc.)
- History of previous diets.
There are no right and wrong answers, but we do ask that you are as honest as possible. It is very unlikely that you will say something that shocks us (we’ve heard it all before!) but we won’t be able to create a plan that works for both you and your pet if we don’t know all the information. This includes telling us any concerns you have, especially if there are things you think may prevent you sticking to the plan.
What happens next?
During the initial appointment, the nurse will work with you to create a plan. This will include recommendations for the amount and type of food to feed, how many portions this should be divided into, alternatives to regular treats (especially if these are part of the normal routine such as before bed), and ways to increase energy expenditure, such as working for food or increasing exercise.
The nurse may advise that you consider a specific weight management diet. These are formulated to be nutrient dense but calorie dilute. They are high in protein and fibre to help keep pets feeling full, and designed so that portion control doesn’t cause pets to miss out on any essential vitamins or minerals. Weight management diets are suitable for most pets, but are particularly recommended for pets starting at a body condition score of 7 or more.
After your initial appointment, a recheck will be arranged for 2-4 weeks later. This next check is a great opportunity to discuss how things are going, and whether you have found any aspects or times in the daily routine particularly challenging. Pets often display food seeking behaviour, and it can take time for them to adapt to a new way of life and stop these behaviours. Consistency in your approach is key, but this can be emotionally draining. We recommend checks continue every 2-4 weeks, as weight clinics are designed to provide support for you as an owner as much as they are a check of your pet.
Long-Term Goals
Weight loss is a slow process, and the majority of cats and dogs take 9-12 months to achieve their goal weight. It is helpful to set interim targets along the way to recognise your progress and remember how far you’ve come. Just like with ourselves, often weight loss is not a continuous process. You may find your pet’s weight drops quickly before slowing for a period. Regular weight clinics allow us to advise on whether additional diet changes are required, or whether this is normal progress. Safe weight loss varies between patients, but loss of 1% of bodyweight per week is often considered realistic. This means a dog starting at BCS 7/9 is likely to take at least 20 weeks to achieve their target weight.
Animals who have been overweight for a long time suffer a drop in their maintenance energy requirement (MER). This is the amount of energy required for day to day function of the body. MER remains low, even when excess weight is lost. As a result, pets who have been overweight are very prone to regaining weight if proactive weight management is stopped. Pets are likely to need some dietary management indefinitely, however your nurse can advise on the best way to maintain a healthy weight once the ideal weight is reached.
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.