Weight Loss Tips: How To Get You Slim – With Your Pet

Fat dogs and other fat pets might look very cute, but still animals need to be healthy. An earlier study has found that overweight pet owners are likely to have overweight pets as well.

"When we see dogs that are overweight, we essentially should see a child that's at risk for excess weight," said Richard French, DVM, M.S., Ph.D., Dean of Animal Studies and Allerton Chair of Animal Health Sciences at Becker College. "Think about the lifestyles of many of our young people, and then we can readily see how their pets are emulating those lifestyles."

A study conducted last year has shown that fat pets are actually a good motivation for owners to exercise. Such “love and concern for a dog can be a powerful motivation for exercise,” said Capt. Mark B. Stephens M.D., a professor of family medicine at Uniformed Services University.

If you have a plump pet at home, Health.com has some tips for you to get fit, along with your pet.

Visit your vet

Take the extra effort to find out your pet's body condition score, which is like a human's BMI. "Then your vet will be able to figure out how many calories you need to feed your dog or cat each day for gradual weight loss," said Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention.

Your vet might also help you get your pet fit by giving you some exercise advice and diet plans, based on your pet's health.

Take a walk

Most dogs need at least 30 minutes of daily walk time, and most working people don't actually know if their pets receive this much needed exercise. Make sure to take him/her for a walk.

Prep them for a run

Running is good for your health. "Any dog and breed can be a capable running buddy," said Dr. Ward.

However, not all dogs can run long distances. Chihuahuas, for instance, may not run long distances, but can take short sprints. Others, like golden retrievers, can run long but need to do it gradually.

Feline fitness

"A cat's favorite pastimes are relaxing and eating," said Deborah Elliott, DVM, founder of VETDispatch in Flanders, N.J. "That's why exercise is so crucial." So for fitness time for your cats, and fun time for you as well, get those laser pointers and have at least two to three intense play moments with your furry feline.