With the new year now here, you may have made a few new year’s resolutions. Have you considered your pet? Maybe your four-legged friend packed on some holiday pounds they need to shed.

It’s not uncommon for cats and dogs to be overweight. In many cases, these conditions are preventable with proper diet and regular exercise. Not only do overweight cats and dogs risk having a reduced life span, they are at an increased risk for the following:

• Cancers, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension
• Osteoarthritis and faster joint degeneration 
• Urinary bladder stones
• Anesthetic complications 

A healthier diet for a healthier pet 

Once you have recognized your pet is overweight, it’s essential to adjust their feedings specifically for weight loss. New portions should be determined and coupled with a consistent feeding schedule to help resist the temptation to provide unplanned snacks. 

Tip: Pre-portion your pet’s food for the day. This will help you and others in your household stick to your pet’s new diet plan.

When an ideal body weight and condition have been achieved, it’s important to maintain your pet’s weight. It doesn’t necessarily mean they have to remain on a weight control pet food. Each pet is unique and the decision should be based on your pet’s individual needs. It’s always recommended to discuss your pet’s specific nutritional needs with your veterinarian.

Get active, for better results!

Increasing your dog’s exercise is important to see positive weight loss results. A few suggestions to incorporate into their daily routine include leash walking for 15 – 30 minutes, twice a day and playing games like fetch. Before starting an exercise program, consult with your veterinarian to ensure your dog doesn’t have any obesity-related conditions that could prevent certain types of exercise.

The goal for weight loss in cats is to reduce calories and increase energy used. Adding exercise into your cat’s daily life may not be as easy as with a dog. Some ways to get your indoor feline moving more at home are by playing with them, making them jump onto a ledge for their meals or even going on a harness-leash walk. Puzzle-type feeders and exercise wheels also boost activity levels.

Weight Control Solutions for Your Pet

Nutram’s Ideal Solution Support line of products provides natural and holistic nutrition that supports special pet wellness needs, including weight control.

This year, help your pet lose some of those unwanted pounds through proper nutrition and regular exercise. Try incorporating an Ideal Solution Support recipe into their lifestyle.

• Cat: I12 Nutram Ideal Solutions Support Weight Control 
  • Fibre assists with the movement of food through the digestive system and prolongs satiety, crucial for weight management.
• Dog: I18 Nutram Ideal Solution Support Weight Control 
  • Consists of a lower fat and high protein recipe, which provides your dog with the tools needed for natural weight management.

These recipes reduce calories to promote weight-loss, without leaving your pet feeling hungry. This is achieved by incorporating high fibre ingredients, such as oatmeal and brown rice, which keep your pet feeling full longer. Both recipes include L-carnitine, which helps the body metabolize fat and promote lean body tissue. Glucosamine is also included in I18 Nutram Ideal Solution Support Weight Control for dogs, which relieves stress on joints and acts as a natural way to ease pain.

Make a new year’s resolution to feed them the best; feed them Nutram!

 

Take our What’s Your Nutram Number Quiz to find out which recipe is best for your pet.

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