Like us, pets need to maintain a healthy weight. You can achieve this by helping them stick to a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Kenton County, KY, pet hospital Crescent Springs Animal Hospital considers this an important facet of preventative medicine.

Below, they share some of their favorite tips for keeping pet’s weight under control:  

• Stick to Healthy Portions: Whether you feed your pet wet or dry food, make sure they receive the same portion at every meal. If you aren’t sure what amount is ideal, ask your vet. Exceeding the recommended portion even slightly can lead to weight gain.
• Notify Your Pet Hospital of Major Diet & Exercise Changes: Whenever you start a new diet or exercise routine, it’s important to share this information with your doctor—the same goes for your pet and their vet, especially if animals have a complicated medical history. Even if you’re sure the new lifestyle changes are harmless, your veterinarian will alert you to any potential issues and can provide alternative suggestions.
• Provide Plenty of Water: Pets may beg for snacks as a result of being thirsty. Make sure they have water to drink from. Freshen their bowl every day, or even multiple times a day.
• Feed Scraps Sparingly: Ideally, you shouldn’t feed your pet table scraps at all. But if they are accustomed to getting occasional bits of human food, remember that every bite contributes to their caloric intake. At minimum, try to cut back on how frequently you treat them. 
• Avoid Gravity-Dependent Feeders: They may be convenient, but feeders that rely on gravity to continuously refill food bowls can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Not all cats or dogs can practice self-control, causing some to overeat. Stick with classic food bowls so you can manage the amount and time of their meals.  

Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is simple with wholesome food, exercise, and play. To schedule an appointment at Crescent Springs Animal Hospital, give them a call at (859) 331-6608. More information about the local pet hospital and their dependable emergency and critical care services are available online.