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A dog comes in for its annual vaccination. When it is weighed and its BCS is assessed, it turns out to be overweight. You discuss the excess weight and advise feeding a bit less.

A familiar situation. And in itself a logical idea: to lose weight, energy intake has to go down.

But is the current food also suitable at that smaller amount?

With 25% less of the same food, you are not only giving 25% fewer calories. You are also giving 25% less protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.

That does not automatically mean deficiencies will develop. Some foods leave enough room to reduce the amount and still meet the requirement for essential nutrients. But you cannot assume that for every food and every dog.

“But it’s a complete food, isn’t it?” is not sufficient justification for that.

Even with a complete food, the amount the dog actually eats determines how many nutrients it takes in. And the feeding guideline on the packaging is a starting point; the individual energy requirement can differ from it.

An overweight dog takes in more energy than it needs. But its requirement for essential nutrients does not fall in proportion when we restrict the calories. During weight loss we also want to preserve its muscle mass as well as possible, so an adequate protein intake matters.

Before we advise reducing the contents of the bowl by a quarter, we therefore need to assess what remains in that smaller portion.

Does it still provide enough protein? And enough essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals? Or would a diet with more nutrients per calorie suit this patient better?

Appropriate weight-loss advice starts with a clear picture of what the dog really eats now, including treats. After that come the choice of diet, the amount, and monitoring of weight, body condition and muscle mass.

Even brief advice at a vaccination appointment is nutritional advice.

So know what you are advising, and whether it still gives your patient everything it needs. And FeedWise happens to be the perfect tool to help you with that check 😄

#NutritionalAdvice #FeedWise #WeightManagement #Veterinarian #VeterinaryNurse