What to do if your dog or cat is overweight?
Nearly 50% of Dutch dogs and just over 50% of cats are overweight. This can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems. It's therefore essential not to overfeed your dog and/or cat and to ensure they get enough exercise to prevent obesity. In addition to sufficient exercise, it's important to feed your dog or cat appropriate nutrition if they are overweight. This means low calorie and fat diets, but high in healthy proteins and fiber.
How does obesity develop ?
• Type of food and too much food, extra treats, table scraps, or leaving food out all day. The mistake is often made of using food as a kind of communication tool between the owner and their pet.
• Less and/or too little exercise.
• Age. Older dogs and cats are often less active and therefore need less energy.
• Breed predisposition. Some breeds have a hereditary predisposition: they burn fewer calories, store fat faster, or have a stronger appetite. In dogs, these include the Labrador and Golden Retriever, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Dachshund, Pug, Cavalier, English Bulldog , Shih Tzu , Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) , and Newfoundland . Mixed breeds with these ancestors often also have a predisposition. Cats generally gain weight more easily than dogs, especially after neutering. Certain breeds stand out: European Shorthair, British Shorthair, Persian, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat.
• Sterilization and castration. Metabolism changes afterward, and it's important to adjust nutritional needs accordingly (feeding approximately 15% less).
• A medical problem. Certain illnesses can cause obesity, such as Cushing's disease (an adrenal gland disorder) and certain thyroid disorders.
• Medicines such as anti-epileptic drugs and corticosteroids.
What to do if you are overweight?
Our BF® Weight Control & Sterilized 32/8, BF® Control Mini 34/12 for dogs, and BF® Control Urinary 36/12 for cats offer a balanced Control formula that meets the following requirements: rich in protein and fiber, low in calories and fat. Our Control food contains many healthy proteins, which help burn fat instead of lean body mass, preventing muscle breakdown. The high fiber content of the food ensures a feeling of fullness, supports weight loss without hunger, and promotes healthy stools. L-Carnitine stimulates fat burning and protects muscles. In addition, yeast, fiber, and prebiotics support digestion, while salmon oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin promote mobility. The high acceptance of the food ensures that even picky eaters will enjoy it. If your dog prefers pressed food, we recommend Pressed Adult 25/8 or Pressed Senior 18/12.
It's important to weigh your dog and/or cat regularly and assess their body condition. This can help you determine whether your dog and/or cat is at a healthy weight or whether adjustments to their diet and exercise routine are needed.
In addition to adjusting their diet, it's also important to limit the number of treats your dog and/or cat gets. Choose healthy, low-calorie snacks and avoid giving them table scraps. Make sure your four-legged friend gets enough exercise by walking and/or playing with them daily. This not only helps with weight loss but also promotes the overall health and well-being of your dog and/or cat.
In our shop, under 'Problems & Advice', you can see which food is suitable for your overweight dog and/or cat or for maintaining a healthy weight.
For more information, email info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.
