What is Obesity?
Obesity is the condition of being seriously overweight and can be just as serious for your pet as it is for humans. Overweight pets have more physical problems and generally a shorter lifespan than those of normal weight. Breathing and exercise become difficult and if surgical treatments are necessary, the extra weight can make the surgery more dangerous.

There are some medical conditions that can contribute to obesity, such as a hormone imbalance, and in some cases the breed or temperament of your pet can be a factor, but the most likely cause of obesity is too much food combined with too little exercise.

Weight loss needs to be a slow process with your pet using a nutritionally balanced diet food. You will need to re-train your pet to eat moderate amounts of food once or twice a day without snacks. Your pet will try everything he or she can think of to make you feel guilty for feeding; such a small amount of food, but you must stick with the diet. The long-term health of your pet really does depend on it.

It will also be necessary for you to make sure that all members of the family are aware of the fact that your pet is on a diet and that they participate in helping your pet lose that unnecessary weight.

Your veterinarian will work with you to decide on a weight goal for your pet and will help you decide on a food and the amount of that food you should be feeding your pet during the weight loss program. Make sure that you keep plenty of fresh drinking water available at all times. If at all possible, try to help your pet get more exercise, which will aid in the loss if the weight and will also help your pet become healthier.

Watch your pet and if he or she refuses to eat the recommended diet, seems restless or unusually excitable, weak or depressed or there is a change in your pet's general behavior, notify your veterinarian.