According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 60% of cats and 56% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. Obesity can affect every aspect of your pet’s health, increasing the likelihood of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, breathing difficulties, joint injuries, and cancer.

What contributes to a pet becoming obese? The reasons vary. Sometimes it’s as simple as a lack of exercise and too much food. Age can play a role, too. As pets get older, their energy levels drop, and that often coincides with a tendency to exercise less. And pets who’ve been spayed or neutered gain weight faster than pets who haven’t been sterilized.

Regardless of the reasons behind your pet’s weight problem, there are several steps you can take to help your fluffy friend lose unwanted chub, like measuring food to combat overfeeding, turning your daily walk into a jog, and getting your pet screened for any possible health conditions – like Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism – that could be contributing to the problem.

At Pets R Us Aurora we take a holistic approach to your pet’s health, and nowhere is that more apparent than in our nutrition and weight management services. To take the guesswork out of what to feed your pet, we offer premium, top-of-the-line food, vitamins, and supplements for sale on-site at our clinic. Many of these foods are designed to help obese pets slim down.

We’ve also devised multiple weight loss and exercise plans to bring your best friend back to their ideal weight. We carefully monitor your pet’s caloric intake and, with your best friend’s breed, age, and lifestyle in mind, we create an individualized exercise regimen they’re sure to enjoy and stick to. In addition, we work to resolve any behavioral issues that might be getting in the way.

Our staff is more than happy to assist you in weight management for your pet and answer any questions you have about feeding and exercise. Just call us at (720) 859-7788 and we’ll get started putting your pet on the path to good health!