Why be worried about weight in pets?
Obesity is a significant health issue for pets. Overweight or obese pets are more likely to have reduced quality of life, increased illness, and reduced length of life than normal weight pets.
A Hill's study showed that when owners evaluated their own quality of life along with their pets, they reported that when their pets' quality of life improved the peoples did too! So simply helping their pets fight the battle of the bulge enhanced their pets' quality of life and their own as well.
Can I make a difference?
YES! You can help your pet lose weight. A combination of having the correct food and weight control plan can take the weight off and keep it off.
How can I tell if my pet is overweight / obese?
Your pet is overweight or obese if he or she has to much fat. An overweight pet weighs 5% - 10% more than its optimal weight, whereas an obese pet's weight is at least 15% - 20% in excess of its optimal weight.
A veterinarian can tell you for sure, but you can look for the signs - Are they carrying extra fat? Is the collar getting too tight? You could feel for extra fat either over the ribs, on the back or under their stomach. If your pet is carrying extra fat and is overweight or obese; you can't easily feel their ribs, there is a thick fat pad over the spine and hips, or their stomach may be drooping and full of fat.
How do I know which food to use?
Start by selecting a food that is designed for weight control. The food should be designed to be used in the way you would like it to perform. Does your pet need to lose weight? If so, you should feed a food designed for reducing weight.
Similarly, if your pet needs help gaining weight then a food designed for weight gain should be chosen. The attributes of weight loss foods are that they should have an ability to metabolically support lean body mass while enhancing fat loss. Hill's Science Diet Light, Hill's Prescription Diet r/d and w/d have added fibre to promote satiety, and they have balanced protein to support lean body mass.
Hill's Prescription Diet r/d has reduced calories to promote weight loss. Hill's Science Diet Light and Hill's Prescription Diet w/d are designed to prevent excessive weight gain in an obese prone pet or to maintain a healthy weight once weight loss has occurred.
In addition, Hill's Prescription Diet m/d is designed to metabolically increase fat use through its special macronutrient mix for cats. Your veterinarian can provide a recommendation specific to your pet.
Can't I just feed less of what my pet eats now?
Simply feeding less of the food you are currently using may not work, and it wouldn't have the satiety enhancing benefits of Hill's Prescription Diet or Science Diet weight control foods. Most foods are designed in such a way that changing the food amount by feeding a "weight loss" portion would result in your pet not getting the optimum amount of nutrients. Simply put, your pet may be hungry and may not be getting enough nutrients if you reduce what you feed now.
How do I know which Hill's product to use?
If you think your pet may be truly obese you should see your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can make a diagnosis, rule out any other causes of weight gain and has access to Hill's Prescription Diet foods (such as Prescription Diet r/d, Prescription Diet m/d and Prescription Diet w/d).
If your pet is not markedly overweight , but is in need of weight control or a little weight loss (say a kg or two on a 25kg dog) you should try Hill's Science Diet Light which will aid you in helping your pet return to a lean and healthy body composition
Why might my pet need a "therapeutic" food?
A therapeutic food such as Hill's Prescription Diet r/d or m/d has the maximum satiety enhancement and enhanced protein for weight loss support. Hill's Prescription Diet w/d has a multi-benefit formula which is designed for obesity prevention and to be an aid in the management of a significant number of medical conditions; it may be the food of choice if your pet needs this multi-benefit approach to nutritional management.