The idea of caring for your pets goes beyond regular cat and dog grooming sessions. In fact, Animal Medical Center in Foley, AL, believes that proper nutrition is the key to providing better pet care. Leading the clinic’s veterinarian staff, Dr. John Heilmeier and Dr. Kasey Singley emphasize dietary considerations amid alarmingly high rates of animal obesity.

Surveys by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention show that around 53% of dogs and 58% of cats in the US are overweight or obese. Foley’s top animal clinic views this as a cause for concern due to the numerous health risks associated with obesity. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Moreover, excess weight can reduce your pet’s lifespan by two and a half years.

To combat this health issue, Animal Medical Center encourages pet owners to adopt a proactive approach. The first step is to know the healthy weight limit for the particular breed of your pet. If you have a domestic shorthair cat, a weight between eight to 10 pounds is ideal. The Maine Coon is the heaviest domesticated feline breed with a weight range of 10 to 25 pounds.

As for dogs, the American Kennel Club provides a comprehensive list of 100 dog breeds and their ideal weights. The Labrador retriever, America's most popular dog breed, is considered healthy if it weighs between 65 to 80 pounds. Similarly, a weight range of 75 to 95 pounds is ideal for German shepherds. In contrast, Yorkshire terriers typically weigh less than seven pounds.

Since all breeds vary significantly from each other, get insights from the knowledgeable professionals at Animal Medical Center. The clinic is dedicated to maintaining the health of your pets. Cutting-edge facilities and 24-hour emergency care, laser therapy, and specialized treatments make this clinic a one-stop solution for veterinary services.

Animal Medical Center considers obesity a chronic condition that all pet parents should know about. For information on pet obesity, call Alabama’s best animal clinic at (251) 955-5900. Learn more about the staff and their services on their website.