FAQ’S
What is obesity and how does my pet 'get it'?
Obesity is a nutritional disease where the body is more than 15% over the ideal body weight.

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. (This means the fuel being put into the body is more than being used leading to an overflow of fat cells).

Some factors that can contribute to obesity are:

• Inactivity: If the pet is not getting enough exercise then the fuel is not being burnt off.
• Age: Elderly pets tend not to exercise as much as they used to (this can be for a number of reasons).
• Desexing: Desexed animals do not feel the need to roam anymore to find a mate, or to use the energy in fighting over a mate.
• Pharmaceutical: There are some medications that can contribute to obesity.

How do I know if my pet is obese?

The best way to check to see how healthy your pets body weight is, is to take your dog or cat to a veterinary clinic where:

• Your pet can be placed on the scales to record their current weight
• A Veterinary Nurse can inform you of the ideal weight of your pet
• The Veterinary Nurse can then calculate the percentage over weight that your pet is.

If your pet is over weight, then we recommended that you enroll your pet in a Weight Watchers Clinic.

What is a Weight Watchers clinic?
Weight Watcher clinics are consultations by qualified Veterinary Nurses to help pets reduce their weight to live happy and healthy lives. The nurse will start by working out how much weight your pet needs to lose. From there, the nurse will help you to determine goals to reach - such as losing a certain amount of weight in the a certain amount of time. By working towards your overall goal in small steps, your pet benefits from continually being reassessed. Any problem areas can be identified early, and improved upon quickly, and stronger areas can be maximised to help the weight loss process.

Here at Kippax Veterinary Clinic, the Kippax Kilo Club takes its weight watching very seriously. Hills Pet Nutrition competitions are run around the country to find the Pet slimmer of the year with first prize for the national winner being $1000 in travel vouchers and a $150 pet shopping spree. The state winners each receive a years supply of Hills pet food. BUT the best part is that your pet loses weight and is much happier and healthier.

How do I get my pet to lose weight?
Weight loss can be achieved by carefully calculating the amount of food your pet needs at its ideal body weight. They are then placed on a specific weight loss diet and exercise regime. Their weight is carefully monitored to ensure they are losing the weight at a safe rate.

What happens when my pet reaches its ideal weight?
When the target (ideal) weight is reached, your pet is placed onto a specific weight maintenance diet, to make sure they don't regain those hard-lost kilos!.

My pet is lazy how can I get it to exercise?
There are many ways to make exercise fun for your pet, you can follow some ideas we have set, or use your imagination.

Exercise Ideas

DOGS

• Regular walking down the street or to the park
• Resistance walking on sand, rough surfaces, shallow water etc.
• Enhanced walking using benches, ditches, trees etc to jump over and crawl under.
• Fetch balls etc (always making sure the object is stationery before allowing the dog to chase after it.
• Hide and seek with toys or food.
• Jogging/cycling with dog beside you.
• Swimming – good for older dogs as is low impact on joints. Or paddling in shallow water.
• Massage of muscles and joints is a good way to pamper your dog after a good day of weight loss activities.

CATS

• Walking on a lead with a cat harness is a great way lose weight out doors
• Enhance walking by making the cat jump over benches and play with leaves along the way.
• Hiding food in different places makes kitty hunt and work hard to find food.
• Playing with toys such as boxes, paper, chasing light helps to stimulate weight loss.
• Grooming and massage helps to relax joints and muscle after a good days weight loss.

Tips for safe and healthy exercise

• Allow time for the pet to warm up by starting off with a slow walk and increasing speed as you go.
• Don’t do too much too quick. Remember you need to build up fitness slowly.
• If exercising in warm weather, a nice hose off or play in water afterwards will help to cool the body down.
• Group exercise is fun for everyone and will help keep you motivated.