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The Weigh-In Club is a free, nurse-run
service to help you manage and maintain your pet's safe weight
loss, for a healthier and happier life. |
Before commencing with any weight loss programme, your pet will
need to see the Vet for a health-check and then, so long as all is
well, a nurse will assess your pet's weight. At this stage you will
learn what the ideal weight for your pet is, and how this can be
achieved. In all cases it will be a combination of diet, exercise
and time. You will be given a Weight Record Chart where the
progress of your pet's weight loss will be noted at every Weigh-in
(usually about once a fortnight) and an advice pack which includes
a calorie counter to remind you just how easily those little snacks
and treats can pile on the calories!
It is very important that any purposeful weight loss is achieved
with a diet that provides the correct balance of nutrients
(protein, fat, minerals and vitamins). If you were to reduce the
amount of your pet's usual food for each meal, this would also
reduce the amount of nutrients your pet receives, which could
result in deficiencies and health problems. You can avoid these
problems by feeding a diet especially designed for weight loss. The
nurse you see will probably recommend a prescription diet from the
Royal Canin Diet Range. These diets have been developed to provide
all the nutrients required for health but with a reduced calorie
content.
As your pets weight changes, so will the recommendations your
nurse makes, regarding feeding and exercise. You make a note on
your chart of any changes you have made to your pet's recommended
diet and activity, such as if you have given extra treats in the
week or fewer/extra walks than normal. And be honest!
Changing feeding habits is not always easy and you must expect
it to take time and not happen overnight! But with the support and
advice of the staff at Highcliff Veterinary Practice it
can be achieved.
