Dropping weight is hard for humans, but it’s easier for our pets because we’re in control of their food intake. Tripawd weight loss is totally in our hands so check out what some members in the community have learned about getting started.
Last week we told you about the problems that happen when your Tripawd is overweight. From joint stress to cancer, even just a few pounds of fluff shorten the lives of our pets. We all want them to be with us for as long as possible. How we feed them, what we feed them, and the habits we create to get them moving and burning calories is key to healthier living.
Check out these six easy Tripawd weight loss tips for better health and longevity.
Tip #1: Check your Tripawd’s body condition.
Can you feel the faint outline of your pet’s ribs? If you have to push hard to feel them, chances are your pet can lose some weight. Your vet can help you determine the right Body Condition Score for your dog or cat.
Similar to the Body Mass Index scale in people, the Body Condition Scoring Chart is an easy way to gauge your Tripawd’s weight. Check out the Canine Body Condition Scoring Chart and the Feline Body Condition Scoring Chart to see how it works.
Tip #2: Use a Kitchen Scale to Measure Your Pet’s Food
The size and weight of kibble varies from brand to brand. Using the same dry measuring cup each time you switch to a different kibble will give you imprecise measuring results that gradually pack on the pounds.
If you invest in a digital kitchen scale, you will always know exactly how much kibble to feed your pet. Pet food manufacturers give the recommend amount of grams on the bag’s nutrition profile.
Here’s a helpful video that explains how to weigh pet food with dry cups and with a digital kitchen scale.
Tip #3: Make Time for ANY Movement
Pet exercise doesn’t have to be hard to be effective. According to the new veterinary text “Obesity in the Dog and Cat,” studies prove that the risk of canine obesity decreases with each hour of weekly exercise. But it doesn’t have to be hard exercise to work. The intensity of exercise (walking versus running) did not affect obesity rates in the studies.
For cats, any safe, fun exercise is helpful and will help burn those calories. Purrkins gets crazy over his Q-Tip play sessions. What make your Trikitty crazy enough to burn calories? Play with your pet every day for weight management.
Tip #4: Rotate store bought pet treats with healthy homemade ones.
It’s no coincidence that pet food treat sales are growing as fast as our pet’s bellies. The rise in pet obesity correlates directly with the growth in the pet treat marketplace.
We all love buying our pets something special to eat, but they appreciate our homemade pet treats just as much. When Brownie’s mom switched from store bought pet treats to veggies and fruits, the weight came off.
Tip #5: Ask your veterinarian for a reality check.
Vets love it when clients want to discuss their pet’s weight! Make the first move to bring up the elephant in the room. Your Tripawd will show their appreciation with more energy and a healthier, longer life.
Tip #6: Get your Tripawd evaluated by an animal rehabilitation therapist (free!).
Animal rehabilitation therapists don’t just help pets recover from surgery and injury. They are also experts in safe weight loss exercises. As Abby’s mom learned, a Tripawd’s weight is not as evenly distributed as other animals, which adds more pressure to the joints.
Work with a CCRT or CCRP rehabilitation therapist and Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first consultation!
Remember, these Tripawd weight loss tips are just a starting point. Talk with your vet first to find out the best ways to help your three-legged hero lose weight. Then, share your experiences with the community here in the comments or better yet, in our Tripawds Eating Healthy Discussion Forum topic!
Thank you for mentioning Brownie! He has worked very hard to loose the weight. However, with his 6 month celebration we cheated some, well a lot. We are back on track this week.
You are so welcome Nancy! You have BOTH worked very hard to drop those pounds. This is a team effort for sure. And don’t worry about one little celebration (which he totally deserved! as did you) as long as you get back on track that’s what counts. Keep up the great work!
Thanks on the pingback
Purrkins is proud to show his q-tips moves. It not always easy to get cats moving. We have to find what motivates them or like Purrkins he showed us. I can only guess why the q-tip. It moves like prey. It’s light, easy to toss, and unpredictable. And NOT a safe toy if left unattended. We should state that. I never leave his side, and they go in the trash when we are done playing;)
I also blame the pet food companies the recommended daily feeding guideline is too much food for our cats on 4 & especially on 3. I would love to see that be more accurate, but they sell more food that way!
Great article that’s our biggest challenge 3 years later we have to tweak things. Life long battle if we are so lucky.
💝
Thanks Holly, I’m so glad you took time to clarify about the QTip Game, that’s super important. And I love your thoughts about the recommended feeding allowances on pet food packaging. If I fed Wyatt as much as his brand recommended, he would be so overweight!
Thanks for reading.
I’ve never seen a recommended amount on a food package that wasn’t way over what is good for my dogs, I actually don’t bother to look at it anymore : )
I have found the only way to accurately measure food intake is to count calories…just like I should be doing for me! It’s a little cumbersome when you first start, and sometimes you have to contact the food manufactures to get the calorie content of food, but once you have the information then adjusting intake up or down is pretty easy.
Also with small dogs just a few calories can make a huge difference! I’m in the process of re-calculating calorie intake for Obie and Elly since they both have gained a little weight. I found some ‘hidden’ calories in the dental chews I use. Once I figured out how many calories in each chew it turned out to be about 15 to 20% of the calories that Obie should be eating daily! Ooops- no wonder he gained a little!
Karen that is a GREAT idea! Sounds like a good guest blog post to me 😉 Interested?
Karen you are so right! My vet told me the manufacturers just want to sell food.