Nutrition and Obesity

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                      General Information



Obesity is the condition of being seriously overweight.  Obese

pets have more physical ailments and a shorter lifespan than

those of normal weight.  Obesity increases risk during surgery,

and breathing and walking are more difficult for the obese pet.



Obesity is usually the result of too much food and too little

exercise.  Other factors, such as breed, temperament, hormone

imbalance and disease, may also cause obesity, but most cases

are the result of too many calories.



Weight loss should be accomplished slowly with a nutritionally

balanced diet, rather than with severe short-term food

restriction.  In most cases, pets must be re-trained to eat

moderate amounts of food 1-2 times daily without any snacks.



All members of the family should be aware of the need for the pet

to lose weight, and all should be in agreement before starting

dietary control.  One person can easily foul up the entire

weight-loss program.



Your pet's current weight:  __________lb.  Your pet's goal

weight:  __________lb.



Feeding instructions:





Record your pet's weight each week.  Call the doctor if your pet

is not losing weight.



    Date        Weight        Date        Weight



 __________  ___________  ___________  _____________



 __________  ___________  ___________  _____________



 __________  ___________  ___________  _____________



 __________  ___________  ___________  _____________



 __________  ___________  ___________  _____________



       Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:



    * Your pet refuses to eat the recommended diet.



    * Your pet seems restless or unusually excitable.



    * Your pet seems weak or depressed.



    * There is a change in your pet's general health.