The Purposes of Weight Management

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is very important for the overall health and well-being of your pets.
Staying healthy and fit can help prevent and control many diseases and conditions that are associated with being overweight or underweight. We understand that nutrition is an important factor in weight management and health maintenance. Using a combination of wet and dry food and supplements, we make delicious meals that can improve your pets’ weight.

RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT ISSUES

Factors causing unhealthy weights

Generally, being overweight or underweight is related to an imbalance of energy input and output. There are many ways to maintain a healthy weight. Yet, some factors are innate that cannot be changed, whereas most are caused by the environment.
Innate factors including gender, breeding genetics and certain diseases. Environmental factors include activity level, feeding modes and owner’s wishes, and whether they can judge if their pet is underweight, ideal or overweight.

Issues and consequences

Being overweight or underweight for a long period of time, whether it is caused by a lack of nutrients or over- deposition of fat in the body will put your pet under the risk of having a range of health problems such as shortening of life, joint problems, dermatological issues, infertility. Overweight animals may get diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Underweight ones may have their immune system weakened that leads to a slower recovery rate.

IN DETERMINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT

  • Body condition scoring (BCS)

    BCS is a method to evaluate body composition which helps to measure the overall current status and to monitor body changes over time. It is quick and simple to perform. It requires the appearance and feel of the animal to make assessment to the body condition. There are 2 systems for assessing body condition, in which one is 5 points based and the other 9 points based.

  • Body weight measurement

    A very simple measurement to provide a good reference point as well as to help owners to track growth of their pet and any weight changes over time. Ideally owner should weigh their cats and dogs regularly, at least once a month. For accuracy and ease, use weighing scales that are designed for pets or most veterinary clinics are equipped with weighing scale for pets, owners should also make good use of it at each visit. Alternatively, you may use an ordinary weighing scale at home, carry your cat or dog whilst standing on it and calculate the difference.

  • Waist circumference measurement

    Sometimes waist circumference measurement is used to estimate the level of body fat in the animal, as it is said to be positively correlated with body fat percentage and negatively correlated with lean body mass. This method only requires a measuring tape and results usually couple with other morphometric measurements taken during weight management consultation for the vet for more precise assessment of the animal’s status

Body condition scoring (BCS)

Tips for healthy weight

Ideally you should weight your pet every month.

For cats and small dogs that does not like to stay still on the weight scale, you may carry them whilst standing on it and calculate the difference.