5 Tips on Managing Pet Weight Loss
By Madison Guthrie
Have you noticed that your pet is experiencing uncontrolled or unintentional weight loss? Pet weight loss is certainly not something to ignore, especially when it occurs suddenly.
Sudden and uncontrolled weight loss in dogs and cats can be due to something as simple as your pet not getting as many calories in their diet after changing their food, or it can be a sign of something serious going on with your pet’s health.
At Petsadena, we strive to keep the pets in our community happy and healthy and we want to help you get to the bottom of your pet’s sudden drop in weight.
Join us as we cover the main reasons for sudden pet weight loss and discuss how you can help to manage and maintain a healthy weight in your pet.
Let’s begin.
Most Common Reasons for Sudden Pet Weight Loss
For obese or overweight pets, pet weight loss is essential and healthy. When pet weight loss is controlled and monitored by you and your veterinarian, it can lead to a healthier, longer life for your pet.
However, when pet weight loss is sudden, unintentional, and uncontrolled, it can be concerning. The most common reasons for weight loss in pets include:
- A recent change in pet food
- Stress or anxiety
- Parasites
- Dental disease or oral issues
- Kidney disease
- Advanced heart disease
- Cancer
We understand that watching your pet lose weight can be disconcerting, but there are some steps you can take to help get your pet back on the road to a healthy weight.
Take a look.
1. Pay Attention to The Ingredients and Calories in Your Pet’s Food, Especially If You Change Their Diet
A simple explanation for your pet’s sudden weight loss could be due to a change in food.
While you may be feeding your pet the same amount of food each day, the shift in ingredients and calories may result in sudden weight loss for your pet.
Be vigilant and make sure you compare your pet’s old pet food to the new pet food to see if you should increase or decrease the amount you are feeding them.
Make sure your pet is getting the right amount of calories and the proper nutrition they need each day to maintain a healthy weight and talk with your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet’s daily calorie intake.
2. Help Increase Your Pet’s Appetite and Reduce Your Pet’s Stress by Ensuring They Are Regularly Exercised and Mentally Stimulated
Stress and anxiety are a common cause for weight loss in pets. Like people, anxious pets may not have much of an appetite.
Sometimes, pets who are stressed can also suffer from digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting, which can further contribute to their weight loss.
Keeping your pet physically and mentally stimulated can help reduce anxiety and increase your pet’s appetite, so make sure you are getting your pet moving and keeping their brain busy with fun games, puzzle toys, and pet-friendly activities.
3. Keep Up with Your Pet’s Oral Hygiene
Dental disease is a leading cause in sudden pet weight loss. Pets who suffer from dental disease or oral issues will sometimes forgo eating due to pain.
Brushing your pet’s teeth and providing them with tooth-healthy chews and treats can help to prevent some dental issues from occurring.
You can also speak with your veterinarian about their professional dental cleaning services and how often your pet’s teeth need to be monitored and cleaned to keep them healthy.
4. Keep Your Pet Up to Date on Vaccines and Parasite Medications
A common reason for weight loss in pets is due to parasites.
Luckily, it’s simple to keep your pet parasite free by ensuring they are up to date on pet vaccines and are protected with the proper parasite medications and preventatives.
In fact, most monthly heartworm preventatives contain anti-parasite medication to rid your pet of common intestinal parasites in case they contract them.
We also recommend having your pet’s stool examined with an intestinal parasite screen every six months to ensure your pet remains parasite free.
If you feel that your pet might have parasites, take them to your veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible.
5. If You Notice Sudden Weight Loss in Your Pet, Schedule A Visit with Your Veterinarian Immediately to Diagnose a Cause and Create a Plan
Diagnosing the reason behind your pet’s weight loss is important and it’s especially important to do it right away.
While sudden weight loss is often caused by something simple, it can also be a sign of something very serious going on with your pet’s health.
Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the reason for your pet’s weight loss and then help you create a plan of action to get your pet back to their healthy weight.
For more on pet weight loss, or if you have any questions or comments about your pet’s health, feel free to contact us at www.Petsadena.com.