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Pet Weight Management Made Easy: Vet-Approved ...
Key Pre-Diet Checks Before Starting a Pet Weight-Loss Program As pet parents, the health and safety of our pets are paramount. Pet obesity is a growing concern for pet owners,...
Pet Weight Management Made Easy: Vet-Approved ...
Key Pre-Diet Checks Before Starting a Pet Weight-Loss Program As pet parents, the health and safety of our pets are paramount. Pet obesity is a growing concern for pet owners, as it can significantly affect a pet's health and quality of life. Obesity occurs when there is an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body, leading to various health complications. Logically, you would make alterations to your pet’s diet and exercise routines to tackle an issue like obesity. However, abrupt lifestyle changes can often do more harm than good, and it is important to conduct certain checks before making drastic changes to your pet’s diet. Here are a few pre-diet checks to run before starting a weight loss program for your pet. Assess your Pet’s Body Condition Score The body condition score (BCS) is a system used to assess the thinness or fatness of an animal. The BCS system rates pets on a scale from 1 to 9, with 1 indicating severe undernourishment and frailness, and 9 marking excessive obesity and unhealthy levels of fat. An ideal BCS score is typically a 4 or 5, indicating a healthy proportion of body fat and muscle. In an ideal body, the pet’s ribs, spine, and hip bones are easily felt, with a waist and abdominal tuck visible when viewed from the top and the sides. How to Perform a Pet Body Condition Check at Home Rib Check You should be able to feel your dog or cat’s ribs when gently running your fingers along their sides. A pet at a healthy weight will have a thin layer of fat covering the ribs and spine; noticeable by touch but not visible. If you detect a thick fat layer, it is a sign your pet might be carrying extra weight. Waist Check When viewing your pet from above, their waist should be clearly defined just behind the ribs, narrowing slightly toward the hips with a subtle inward curve at the middle. The absence of a visible waist or a rounded, bulging shape may suggest your pet is overweight. Tummy Test From a side view standing beside your pet, the belly should show a gentle upward slope or tuck. If the abdomen hangs down or bulges outward, this could indicate excess belly fat, which is particularly concerning because it is linked to inflammation and health risks. Baseline Diagnostics to Rule Out Disease Underlying health conditions or disorders can affect your pet without being very visible. Before starting a weight loss program for your pet, make sure to perform a full physical exam. This includes basic blood work (Complete Blood Count and blood chemistry), urinalysis, and T4 testing (for dogs) or T4/TSH testing (for cats). If you’re suspicious of such a condition in your pet, get them tested before making changes to their diet. By doing so, you can rule out pre-existing endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s, diabetes (cats), and hyperthyroidism (cats) that can mimic or cause weight issues. How to Calculate Your Pet’s Weight-Loss Calories (RER & 80% Restriction) (An easy, step-by-step guide for dog and cat parents, as per AAHA & WSAVA veterinary nutrition guidance) 1. Calculate Resting Energy Requirement (RER) RER is the energy (kcal/day) needed for basic bodily functions—calculated using your pet’s ideal weight, not their current bodyweight. Formula: RER = 70 × (Ideal body weight in kg)^0.75 This formula applies to all sizes of dogs and cats 2. Apply the Weight-Loss Multiplier For weight loss, AAHA and WSAVA recommend feeding ~80% of RER for dogs, or ~100% of feline RER (i.e. factor of 0.8 for dogs, 1.0 for cats). Why 80%? This creates a safe calorie deficit that supports a steady 1–2% weight loss per week, without overeating lean tissue. Note this is based on ideal body weight, not current weight, per national guidelines How to Do the Math at Home ① Determine ideal weight in kg. ② On a scientific calculator app: enter the ideal weight → press y^x or xʸ → type 0.75 → multiply the result × 70. That's your RER. ③ Take RER × 0.8 (dogs) or × 1.0 (cats) → this is your daily weight-loss kcal target. ④ Weigh your pet every week using the same scale and time of day (ideally before breakfast). If weight loss is slower than 1% per week after 3–4 weeks, reduce intake by 10% and recheck. Example (Dog, Ideal Weight = 20 kg) RER = 70 × (20)^0.75 ≈ 660 kcal/day 80% of RER = 0.8 × 660 = ≈ 530 kcal/day This level generally leads to ~1–2% weight loss per week Key Guidelines to Remember Always calculate using ideal weight, not current. You’re aiming for ideal caloric needs. Monitor weight regularly. Adjust calories if weight loss is <1% or >2% weekly. Treats & extras matter. Count them within the total kcal; even a few "healthy" snacks can ruin the plan if forgotten. Homemade Weight-Loss Diet for Dogs (Detailed, Practical & Safe) 1. Basic Macronutrient Structure Protein: Aim for ≈50% lean protein (by weight), derived from low-fat chicken, turkey, white fish (e.g., cod), or egg whites. Fiber: Include ≈25–30% fiber-rich low-cal starchy veg like pumpkin, sweet potato mash, green beans, carrot, zucchini. Carbs / Grains: A max of 15–20% from cooked grains like brown rice, quinoa, or oats—optional, especially for dogs with gluten/allergy concerns. Fats (sparingly): 1–2 tsp fish oil (for omega-3); or ½ tsp flaxseed oil or lightly used coconut oil. (Total fat ≈ 5% of total weight.) This mix keeps calories low but quality high, suppresses hunger, and helps preserve lean muscle on a weight-loss plan. 2. Safe & Helpful Ingredients Ingredients Use When Weight-Loss? Why Cooking Tip Skinless chicken/turkey breast, cod ✅ Core protein Very lean, high-quality amino acids Steam/boil and dice fine Egg whites ✅ Lower-calorie protein Digestible, nutrient-dense Scramble or boil; avoid raw egg yolks Pumpkin puree (plain) ✅ Fibre for satiety + gut health Very low kcal; high fibre / prebiotic Steam or use plain canned Green beans, carrots, zucchini, spinach ✅ High-fibre veg Slow digestion and a bulky feel Pureed or steamed finely Sweet potato, brown rice, oats, quinoa ✔️ Up to 20% max Slow-releasing energy; adds bulk Cook thoroughly; avoid white rice Fish oil (1 tsp) or ground flaxseed (½ tsp) ✅ Essential omega-3 fatty acids Helps coat health, inflammation Mix into food after cooking Low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt ✅ Occasional treat ≤ 10% Kcal Adds probiotics, calcium, and protein Use plain, unflavoured variety Unseasoned leafy greens (spinach, kale) ⚠️ Small amounts only Oxalates (spinach) or goitrogens (kale) may interfere with minerals if overfed Rotate weekly; cook & chop finely Ingredients You Should Never Include Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks (any Allium) are toxic even in small amounts. High-fat meats like bacon, sausage, and pork belly. Sugary fruits such as grapes, raisins, cherries (kidney failure risk). Macadamia nuts, chocolate, caffeine, xylitol (in some peanut butter). Raw fish, bone meal, or large amounts of liver (risk of vitamin A toxicity or digestive upset). Uncooked eggs regularly (avidin can block biotin). Salt, spices, added salt/sugar, broth with onion/garlic → use only low-sodium, plain broth if needed. Example Daily Meal Template (for a 20 kg Dog, ~600-650 kcal) Meal Ingredients Weight Approx. kcal Lunch Cooked chicken breast 90 g ~180 Pumpkin puree (plain) 60 g ~20 Steamed green beans + carrot mix 80 g ~30 Brown rice, cooked 40 g ~50 Dinner White fish (cod) 75 g ~85 Diced zucchini & spinach 60 g ~20 Quinoa or oats, cooked 35 g ~45 Fish oil or flax oil 1 tsp ~40 Treats (≤10%) Low-fat yogurt or veggie stick 30 g ~60 How to Fine-Tune & Feed Weigh daily portions using a kitchen scale (not cereal cups) to avoid ~10–20% error. Prepare fresh meals, refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze in 2-day batches. Feed divided meals (e.g., lunch + dinner) to prevent hunger spikes. Track weight weekly: target ~1% of starting weight per week loss; adjust portion ±10% if loss is too slow or too fast. Rotate protein sources weekly (chicken → fish → turkey eggs) to prevent nutrient imbalance and palatability fatigue. Always monitor stool consistency; add beet pulp or increase fibre gently if loose stool occurs.Planning a weight loss program starts well before the first diet change or exercise session. By performing essential pre-diet checks like assessing their body condition, ruling out health issues, and understanding their unique needs, you ensure that the new regimen is as safe as it is effective. Remember, dietary changes and weight management are a marathon race, not a 100-meter sprint.
Tick Fever in Dogs: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Tr...
As the days get warmer, thousands of ticks become active. This brings the need to prevent ticks from attacking your pet, as ticks pose life-threatening complications like Tick Fever. By...
Tick Fever in Dogs: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Tr...
As the days get warmer, thousands of ticks become active. This brings the need to prevent ticks from attacking your pet, as ticks pose life-threatening complications like Tick Fever. By understanding the signs, causes, and ways to prevent tick fever, you can ensure your pet’s health and happiness. This blog on Tick Fever in Dogs: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention helps you know everything about Tick Fever. What Causes Tick Fever in Dogs? When an infected tick bites a dog, the infection is transmitted by the protozoa released in the blood. Tick fever is caused by protozoa which is transmitted on a tick bite. In India, the most common tick responsible for spreading tick diseases is the Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). P.S. In humans, not all mosquitoes cause diseases, except the ones that carry Dengue and Malaria. Similarly, not all ticks are dangerous; only the ones that carry an infection are deadly. Common Types of Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs Tick Diseases Cause Symptoms Result Babesiosis Babesia canis & Babesia gibsoni Fever, jaundice, pale gums, anaemia Can cause severe blood loss or organ damage Ehrlichiosis Ehrlichia species Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, internal bleeding High chances of recurrence, attacks on platelets Hepatozoonosis Ingestion of infected ticks (not bite-related) Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, internal bleeding, muscle weakness Cannot be completely cured, requires frequent blood tests & medication to control the symptoms Anaplasmosis Anaplasma species Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite Attacks platelets, increasing the risk of bleeding Symptoms of Tick Fever in Dogs Major tick fever symptoms include high fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pain, bleeding, and more. Tick fever might not necessarily mean having fever; more than 2 of these symptoms can also mean tick fever. Fever - Generally high fever (105°F) Lymphadenopathy - Swollen Lymph Nodes Anorexia - Loss of Appetite Indigestion - Vomiting & Diahorrea - Uncontrolled indigestion Joint Pain - Hind limbs are mostly affected Epistaxis - Bleeding from the nose Neurological signs - Seizures or walking difficulty Jaundice - Yellow discolouration of skin, gums & eyes Internal bleeding - Ehrlichia Canis attacks blood platelets How to Treat Tick Fever in Dogs? Treatment plan usually includes administering antibiotics and management to increase the chances of recovery. A medicinal course of the drug is administered mandatorily under a veterinarian’s supervision. Besides, supportive supplements are also given to boost immunity and platelets. Early diagnosis is the key to successful tick treatment for dogs. However, one must never stop the course of medicine in between, even if your pet seems better. Incomplete treatment often leads to worsened symptoms or even relapse of the disease. Tips to Prevent Tick Fever in Dogs Tick Preventive measures include using tick shampoo for dogs, regularly checking their coat for ticks, removing ticks on dogs and disposing of them if found. If you suspect tick fever in your pet, immediately seek veterinary advice. It is crucial to be prepared for ticks in advance. As soon as the Tick Season (April-September) starts take the necessary steps to keep ticks away from your pet. Make sure to get rid of the ticks and identify their source. Tickproof your pet with a tick spray for dogs throughout the year. One of the biggest mistakes pet parents make is leaving the course of medicine in between. If your dog starts to look better after a few days and you stop giving the prescribed antibiotics, it increases the risk of the illness coming back. If after a few days, you feel that your dog is getting better and stop administering the prescribed antibiotics, it might lead to relapsing of the disease. Prevention of Ticks on Dogs Tick-Proof Your Pet: Use tick shampoo for dogs like Shampooch or tick spray for dogs like Tick Free Regular Tick Checks: Especially after walks or outdoor play sessions, check under ears, paws, tail, belly and other tick prone areas. Regular Grooming: Regular grooming helps in the early detection of ticks and keeps your pet’s coat healthy. Clean Environment: Keep your home, backyard, and surroundings clean and tick-free. Be Vigilant During Tick Season: In India, April to September is the peak season for ticks, stay extra cautious during this period. Never Ignore Symptoms: Act fast if you notice unusual behaviour, appetite loss, or fever. Consult your vet immediately! Get Tick Free Now! Give your pet the best tick protection with Tick Free Combo! It helps to eliminate ticks and fleas from your pet’s skin and prevents their future occurrence. This combo relieves skin issues like irritation, itching, infection, rashes, redness, and inflamed skin caused due to tick bite. It contains a tick removing spray and a preventive shampoo. Made using natural ingredients, it serves as a powerful tick repellent for pets. FAQs: Tick Fever in Dogs: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention How to remove a tick from a dog? To remove tick from dog you can use a natural spray like Tick Free. and comb within 2-3 minutes to remove the tick. How to remove ticks on cats? Use a natural tick spray to remove ticks on cats within 2-3 minutes. Simply spray over the tick and comb within 2-3 minutes to easily remove the ticks. What kills ticks on dogs instantly? Tick Free Spray helps to instantly inactivate the ticks within 2-3 minutes, so that you can easily remove them using a tick comb.