If your pet needs to lose some weight, and is otherwise in good shape, here is a sure-fire diet plan that can't miss. If everyone in the family is willing to help, there's no reason that your pet cannot take off those extra pounds. It is usually best to just have one family member in charge of feeding the pet, but everyone in the family must be involved in the diet plan. It's an absolute must that family members do not take it upon themselves to supplement the dieting pet's diet with treats or table scraps.

STEPS TO WEIGHT LOSS

Step 1.
The first thing to do is weigh the pet regularly. If the pet is small enough to be easily lifted then we would recommend weighing him/her DAILY. Just pick up the pet and weigh yourself with the pet on a bathroom scale. Then put the pet down and weigh yourself without the pet. It is an easy matter to then subtract the difference to determine the weight of your pet. Make sure to use the same scale every time for consistency. Larger pets are a little more difficult to weigh, but they should be weighed as often as you possibly can. We recommend at least once a week. Remember that you are welcome to use the scale here at the clinic any time. Make up a diet chart and record the daily weight so that you can see the progress you make with your pet.

Step 2
Feed your pet a reasonable amount of a diet food. That is, a food that is designed for overweight pets. There are several of them available. If you have difficulty deciding on one that is appropriate for your pet, or if your pet has special dietary or medical problems, feel free to ask your veterinarian or one of the staff for recommendations. Make sure to measure out the food exactly and write the amount given down on the pet's diet chart.

Step 3.
Adjust the amount of food given. Here is the key to diet success: if at the end of one week the pet's weight has not started to go down, then decrease the amount of food given by 1/4. If the weight has started down, great! In either case, keep weighing the pet at those regular intervals (daily if possible) until weight loss stops. Then decrease the food again by 1/4 the amount until weight loss resumes. Continue this process until you have helped your pet to reach the target weight. Just remember to be persistent, weigh the pet every day if possible, keep the snacks and supplemental feeding to an absolute minimum, and call if you have any problems. Good luck!

Step 4.
Persistence. Keep at it! Remember that most diets fail because pets are getting food from other sources. Make sure that everyone in the family knows that your pet is on a diet and is not to be given food except by you! If you have multiple pets in the household, make sure to feed them separately so that your dieting pet does not get extra food by sneaking it from the other pets. Hang in there. If followed with persistence, we've never seen this diet fail. Remember, your veterinarian is there to help. Give them a call if you have any questions.

-Dr. Anderson is a graduate of Auburn University. He owns and practices at Sabal Chase Animal Clinic near the Kendall campus of Miami Dade Community College, in the Shoppes of Sabal Chase, at 10710 SW 113th Place, Miami, Florida 33176. He does volunteer work at Adopt-A-Pet, and is a member of the South Florida and American Veterinary Medical Association. He can be reached at (305) 595-1450.