10/02/2026
October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month! 🐾
5 important tips on how to manage your pet’s weight:
1) Keep track of your pet’s weight, so that any gains or losses can be easily detected. To determine if your pet may be overweight, stand directly over your pet and look down at them; if you do not see a waistline, then your pet may be too heavy.
2) Monitor your pet’s eating habits. This includes snacks too! If your pet seems hungrier than normal after mealtime, try to figure out if their eagerness to eat is from actual hunger or simply the desire to taste those yummy table scraps.
3) Observe any changes in energy level. If your pet seems to be tired or less active than normal, weight gain or improper nutrition may be to blame. If the lethargy lasts more than a few days, contact your veterinarian.
4) Create a lifestyle that encourages exercise. Most pets like to play, so find an activity that you both enjoy.
5) Schedule vet appointments regularly. In addition to your pet’s annual wellness exam, you should take your pet to their veterinarian if you observe any significant weight gain (or loss!), or a change in eating habits or energy level. If your veterinarian determines that your pet needs to lose a few pounds, it’s important to help them slim down to a healthy weight- and to help them maintain it afterward.
