When it comes to your pet’s health, routine vet visits are opportunities to catch hidden problems early, including one of the most preventable issues we see: pet obesity. Capital Pets Animal Hospital helps Sacramento’s pet owners recognize and reverse unhealthy weight gain in cats and dogs before it leads to more serious health concerns.
Why Pet Obesity Is Often Missed at Home
When you see your pet every day, gradual weight gain can be hard to notice. A few extra pounds may not seem like a big deal, but they can silently increase the risk of diabetes, joint pain, breathing difficulties, heart disease, and reduced life expectancy. Objective measurements and professional insight during routine veterinarian visits catch weight gain before it turns into a chronic issue.
What Happens During a Weight-Focused Vet Visit
Veterinarians may take some slightly differing approaches to weight management in pets, but often an examination of an overweight pet will include certain elements.
- Body Condition Scoring (BCS): The vet assesses your pet’s body shape and fat distribution using a BCS scale. This 5- or 9-point scale can be used to identify whether your pet is underweight, ideal, overweight, or obese.
- Weight Tracking Over Time: Each visit allows a veterinarian to compare your pet’s current weight with past records. A consistent gain or loss, even if subtle, can signal dietary imbalances or metabolic changes.
- Nutritional Review: The vet may ask about what your pet eats (including treats and table food) and offer feeding recommendations based on factors like age, activity level, and health conditions.
- Lifestyle Discussion: How much does your pet exercise? Is your cat an indoor lounger? Is your dog a weekend hiker? The vet will factor in these habits to suggest practical activity levels and enrichment.
- Early Health Screenings: Obesity can be both a cause and a symptom of illness. Routine bloodwork and diagnostics can catch problems like hypothyroidism or diabetes that may require medical management.
Pet Obesity Prevention is Easier Than Treatment
Once weight gain becomes severe, it can be much harder to reverse, especially for senior pets or those with limited mobility. Routine checkups are best because they’re a chance to intervene early, when a few adjustments in food portions / daily walks or diagnostics to identify a medical cause for weight gain can still make a big difference.
If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, of course, you do not have to wait for an annual appointment. In fact, if your cat or dog is gaining unexplained weight, you should set up a visit with the vet to investigate the cause sooner rather than later.
Guidance for Pet Weight Loss in Sacramento, CA
Managing your pet’s weight means working together with a veterinarian to build long-term habits that support your animal companion’s health. Capital Pets Animal Hospital has guidance for managing pet obesity in Sacramento and from neighboring California areas like Elk Grove, Florin, and Laguna. If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, schedule a vet visit at Capital Pets Animal Hospital.