How do I help my pet keep their lost weight from coming back?
Weight-loss programs and therapeutic calorie-restricted diets help dogs and cats lose weight. They work especially well when all members of the family support the weight loss program and do not disrupt or overthrow it. However, it can be a significant challenge to prevent rebound weight gain.
Once a pet has reached a new, lower body weight and body condition score, it is important for the pet to maintain an appropriate calorie intake and daily activity level to keep the lost weight off for good.
Body condition score: One easy way to help your pet maintain their weight loss is to learn how to assess body condition score. Body condition scoring is easy, and you can learn the skill in a few minutes from your family veterinarian. It helps you recognize, by touch, whether your pet is slimming down or getting heavier. When you feel and see changes, take your pet to see your family veterinarian so they can perform a complete physical examination.
Change your behavior. Successful weight-loss programs require one or more behavioral changes on the part of human family members. Some behavior changes are easier to begin and maintain than others.
- Everyone in the home should regularly talk about what works well and what does not, so that adjustments can be made and progress can be recorded.
- Find effective ways to gradually increase the pet’s activity level, which helps to burn calories.
- Find ways to engage the pet and keep them mentally stimulated without using food and treats.
Maintain set calories per day. It is essential that you stick to a specific number of calories (kcals) each day for their pet. Consult your family veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to determine the appropriate calorie intake for the pet’s body weight — both during the weight loss program and afterward.
Weigh food portions. It is strongly recommended that you use a gram scale to measure the pet’s daily food portion. Studies show that it is very common to accidentally over- or under-measure your pet’s food when using a standard measuring cup. A gram scale can reduce the risk of feeding excess calories.
When can my pet stop eating their “low calorie” diet food?
Pets on a guided weight loss program, under the care of a veterinarian, usually take from 2 to 3 months and up to 12 or 18 months to shed unwanted pounds. If an overweight pet only has a few pounds to lose (e.g., 1 to 5 pounds), they may not need a special diet or a long period of time; adjusting the feeding management regimen and focusing on low-calorie treats might achieve success. However, pets that need to lose more weight (10% to 15% or more of their total weight) will need a veterinary therapeutic diet, a focused feeding management plan, and 6 to 12 months to reach their new body weight goal.
Some pets can slowly transition back to their previous food or to a new brand after having reached their goal weight, but other pets might need to stay on the veterinary therapeutic diet to maintain their weight. This is an important conversation to have with your family veterinarian. Discuss whether your pet is a slow eater or an “inhaler” who always acts hungry, as this information can help your veterinarian find a balanced product with an appropriate calorie content (or energy density) for your pet’s needs.
How should I feed my dog or cat once they’ve lost weight?
The best way to feed your pet after they’ve lost weight will vary. Helping pets keep their lost weight off means talking with your family vet about what worked best in your household during the weight loss program. You may have stopped bad habits and formed good habits that can be continued to help keep the pet’s weight at a stable level.
For example, if you fed your pet three small meals per day during weight loss, and they got used to that routine, then it makes sense to continue it. Or if you use food puzzles or food toys for some of your pet’s meals each week, it is a good idea to continue using those puzzles.
Can my pet have the treats they have always loved?
If your pet’s favorite treats are “low calorie,” with fewer than 5 calories per piece, then the answer is yes! However, if the treats have more than 10 calories per piece, feeding more than two per day could be too much. Most commercial cat treats are about the size of your smallest fingernail and tend to be similar in calories: between 1 and 4 calories per treat.
A few cat treats, spread over the course of a day, is fine for most pets. Dog treats are different because they vary widely in size and calorie content. Low-calorie commercial dog treats contain fewer than 10 to 15 calories per piece. There are plenty of low-calorie options to choose from. Most fruits and vegetables that are served fresh, frozen, or plainly cooked (no butter, no salt, no condiments, no cheese on top) provide few calories and make good treats when offered in moderation. All treats, snacks, and "people" foods should be carefully monitored.
It’s important to understand that “treating” your pet doesn’t need to be associated with food. Our pets want our attention, and that can be provided in many forms, including petting, grooming, training, playing catch, going for a walk, or even watching a TV show together.
Do I have to exercise my pet?
You don’t have to force your pet to “exercise,” but you should help your pet stay physically active a little bit every day. Whenever you can get your pet to move a little more than they normally would, you are helping them to spend energy (or burn calories).
Many dog breeds are known to be highly energetic and very active. These breeds benefit from exercise such as long walks, 30-minute runs, or regular agility training. On the other hand, many small dog breeds, and most cats, won’t exercise. These pets should still maintain some daily activity by walking up and down stairs, jumping, running a short distance after a toy, or moving from one end of the home to the other.
A good start is establishing play or “movement” time that is a little longer than their “normal,” two or three times a day, especially for animals who are not active. Mealtimes are often the easiest time to encourage a dog or cat to move around for a few minutes. You can deliver a meal with a food puzzle or food toy, or toss food down a staircase or across a room. Change the food delivery method regularly so the pet doesn’t get too used to the routine. Talk to your veterinarian before you increase your pet’s activity to ensure it is safe to do so, and to get tailored recommendations for your specific pet.
