Crafting a Weight Loss Plan for Your Canine Companion Tips for Success

Elements of a Successful Weight Management Clinic

Checklists can help in obtaining all the information required from the pet owner during clinic visits (Box2). They can remind veterinary nurses of what questions to ask, ensure continuity between staff members, and be used as records in the clinical history.

BOX 2 Sample Checklist for Weight Loss Clinic Visits

Weight

Current body weight:____________________________________

Ideal body weight:______________________________________

Body condition score:____________________________________

Diet InformationCurrent diet:__________________________________________Treats:______________________________________________Dental chews:_________________________________________Human foods:_________________________________________Number of meals per day:_________________________________

EnvironmentOther animals in household:_______________________________Access to other foods:____________________________________Exercise and play level:___________________________________

Other InformationCurrent health status:____________________________________Current medication(s):___________________________________Suitable food weighing scales at home?________________________Any hindrances to completing the program?_____________________Any questions regarding the program?_________________________

RecommendationsDiet and feeding plan:_____________________________________Exercise and play:________________________________________Actions Weight loss graph? Yes/NoNeck, chest, hips, tail base measurements? Yes/NoPhotos taken? Yes/NoFood diary:____________________________________________Next appointment:_______________________________________

Owner Behavior and Pet Obesity

Theoretically, weight loss can be achieved when the amount of calories consumed is less than an animals overall energy expenditure. Achieving the necessary reduction in calories and increase in energy expenditure in pets can be difficult, owing to owner education, owner compliance, lifestyle, and behavioral traits. The complex relationship between owner and pet therefore needs to be discussed as part of the weight loss program. Often, when obesity is addressed, the behavioral traits in the owner-pet relationship are compared with those between a parent and child,¹ as pet owners have roles similar to parents (caregivers) in supplying food and using it as a reward.

Obesity treatment programs for humans that include behavioral interventions in conjunction with dietary changes and increased physical activity achieve higher success rates than those that do not include behavioral modifications.² Pediatric obesity treatment programs that involve the whole family in intense behavioral interventions are more successful than those that do not, with the success of the programs related to the intensity of the behavior treatment.¹ Such findings have implications for weight reduction in companion animals, with a positive correlation identified between the success of obesity treatment in dogs and behavioral changes of the owner.³ A standard obesity treatment program that included appropriate energy intake, monthly weight checks, and a structured maintenance period was sufficient to achieve these objectives.⁴

Owners of overweight cats indicate that they have a closer relationship with their cats than do owners of normal-weight cats, possibly with the cats serving as a substitute for human companionship.⁵ The over-humanization of the cats in these relationships may be related to weight gain.

The role of patient behaviorboth dogs and catsin weight loss also needs to be discussed during the veterinary nurse consultation; therefore, understanding feline and canine behavior (especially feeding behaviors) is also important.

The extent of behavioral advice and its role in treating obesity (especially in cats and multicat households) is vast. Consultation of resources such as those listed in Box 1 is highly recommended.

Feeding Quantities

Success in obesity clinics also relies on gaining a full understanding of how much food the owner is providing the pet. A 4 kg (8.8 lb) cat consuming just 10 kcal/day (the equivalent of approximately 10 kibbles or 10 g of tuna) in excess of its daily energy requirements will gain 12% of its body weight in one year.⁶ Accurate measurement of quantities fed is therefore required. As feeding scoops have proved to be very inaccurate,⁷ weighing out the daily portions should be the only method recommended for determining the amount being fed.

Diet history forms can be used to gain insight into an animals current energy intake and to record the initial nutritional history at the first clinic visit. A sample form created by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association can be seen below and downloaded here. However, obtaining a full nutritional history might need to be completed over a couple of visits, as the owner might not know how much they feed or even what brands.

Owners should be encouraged to keep a food diary for their pet. A study of weight loss in humansshowed that people who kept a record of what they ate were more successful.⁸ However, a surprising aspect of this study was the reluctance of people to participate in recording what they had consumed, perhaps because they were worried about being judged for it. For owners who are willing to undertake a food diary for their pet, long-term use of the diary may become a motivator to stay with the program.

Graphs that show weight loss can also be a motivating visual prompt (Figure 1). Graphs can be based on biometric measurements, such as weight, or morphometric (body shape) measurements, such as the diameter of the chest, neck, waist, and tail base. It is common for animals to not lose weight according to the scale but to lose centimeters around the waist. Seeing a record of these measurements can act as a real incentive for the owner to continue the weight loss plan.

Exercise and Obesity

If weight loss can be achieved by expending more calories than consumed, increasing calorie expenditure through increased exercise can aid in weight loss. More importantly, exercise helps to preserve lean tissue during a weight loss program and to maintain metabolism at a higher level.

Along with a food diary, owners can be encouraged to keep an exercise diary. For dogs, exercise can be monitored accurately with movement devices, GPS collar monitors, and apps that map walks with the owner. In the authors experience, some dog owners have difficulty judging walking distances, and most overestimate the exercise their dog gets. As part of increasing exercise, however, owners need guidance on the difference between quantity and quality. A 1-hour walk with the dog plodding along beside the owner burns fewer calories than a half-hour walk during which the dog is engaged in intense physical activity.

Cat owners can benefit from a discussion of natural play activity in cats. Anecdotally, many owners expect cats to play for periods longer than a natural feline pattern. Cats prefer to play for a few minutes several times each day than to play for one half-hour session. Play activity in cats needs to replicate hunting behavior, which involves many short, high-intensity bursts.⁹ These types of activity can be replicated through the use of toys that move on their own or have elements that move (e.g., feathers), toys that are meant to be moved by the owner, and toys that swing. The size of the toy needs to be appropriate to the size of the cat.

Environmental enrichment for cats (especially indoor cats) is very important. Cats explore their environment in 3 dimensions, and their home environment should take this into account. Cats should have the ability to climb and sit up high on safe platforms if they wish.

Diet

Once food and exercise amounts have been recorded, a feeding plan and an exercise plan can be created. In some cases, decreasing the pets daily energy intake to the correct level and instituting an appropriate exercise plan can be enough for the animal to attain and maintain a healthy weight. However, some pets require weight loss diets. The Pet Nutrition Alliance website (petnutritionalliance.org) is a good resource for details on how to create nutrition plans and it even provides species-specific calorie calculators.

The specific diet recommended needs to be the one most appropriate for the animalits life stage, age, and any specific nutrient requirements (e.g., for animals with chronic health conditions)and the owner. Owner considerations may include financial constraints, personal mobility, and ethical requirements, such as the desire to feed organic or natural diets. Veterinary nurses need to listen to these needs with regard to what the owner can realistically achieve for their pet. For example, if the owner has reduced mobility, they may not be able to exercise an obese dog to attain its ideal target body weight, but some weight loss will still be beneficial for the dog.

Treats should not constitute more than 5% of the pets overall daily energy intake, and all family members need guidance on this restriction. If an owner is unwilling to stop giving treats, these extra calories need to be calculated and added to the daily intake. Recommendations could include using lower-calorie treats or using the weight loss diet as treats. Owners should be reminded that a reward does not have to be food. Play, social interaction, grooming, exercise, and toys can all be used as rewards.

All topics discussed should be written down for the owner so that they have the details to take home with them. A copy of the completed checklist in Box 2 may be useful in this regard, as well as placed in the patients medical record.

Prevention

As with most things, prevention of obesity is better than treatment, but once a pet becomes a candidate for a weight loss clinic, only management is an option. Veterinary nurses should start the conversation about appropriate weight early and continue it often with pet owners. Teaching new puppy and kitten owners about monitoring body condition score (BCS) rather than ideal breed weights is recommended and can be facilitated through a hands-on approach. Every time an animal visits the practice, it should be weighed and have its BCS and muscle condition score (MCS) assessed and recorded on the clinical history. Weight changes should be highlighted to the owner and addressed. Long-term weight charts can also be used to visually show any increase (or decrease) in weight. During a weight loss program, MCS should be monitored to ensure that muscle mass is not also lost.

Discussions about obesity prevention at key times has been shown to decrease obesity prevalence later in life. Veterinary nurseled post-neutering clinics that showed owners how to judge BCS, discussed obesity prevalence, and gave dietary recommendations halved pet obesity rates later in life in one study.¹⁰ Neutering has been highlighted as a major risk factor in development of obesity, so reiteration of key messages about preventing obesity when a pet is neutered is a vital role for veterinary nurses.

Follow-Up and Monitoring

With all nutritional consultations and veterinary nurseled clinics, it is important to monitor and follow up on the progress of clients. Making clear recommendations to clients is key to success. The CRAFT model (Box 3), developed in 2009, shows that for compliance to be successful, the follow through aspect of the equation is required.¹¹ Following through can take all different forms of communication with an owner, such as a phone conversation, email, text, or repeat consultation. Discussing with the owner at the initial consultation which form of communication works best for them can really aid in following through.

BOX 3 The CRAFT Compliance Equation¹¹

C = R + A + FT

Compliance = Recommendation + Acceptance + Follow Through

Achieving compliance requires a good, clear recommendation, as well as client acceptance of that recommendation. However, even with client acceptance, compliance is often poor because the follow-through component is lacking. Reasons for failure of clients to follow through include forgetfulness, financial and time constraints, and unclear recommendations. Follow-through by the clinic is therefore essential.

Weight loss

Weight loss: 6 strategies for success

Follow these proven strategies to reduce your weight and boost your health.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Hundreds of fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. However, the foundation of successful weight loss remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity. For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits.

How do you make those permanent changes? Consider following these six strategies for weight-loss success.

1. Make sure you're ready

Long-term weight loss takes time and effort and a long-term commitment. While you don't want to put off weight loss indefinitely, you should make sure you're ready to make permanent changes to eating and activity habits. Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine your readiness:

• Am I motivated to lose weight?
• Am I too distracted by other pressures?
• Do I use food as a means to cope with stress?
• Am I ready to learn or use other strategies to cope with stress?
• Do I need other support either from friends or professionals to manage stress?
• Am I willing to change eating habits?
• Am I willing to change activity habits?
• Do I have the time to spend on making these changes?

Talk to your doctor if you need help addressing stressors or emotions that seem like obstacles to your readiness. When you're ready, you'll find it easier to set goals, stay committed and change habits.

2. Find your inner motivation

No one else can make you lose weight. You must undertake diet and exercise changes to please yourself. What's going to give you the burning drive to stick to your weight-loss plan?

Make a list of what's important to you to help you stay motivated and focused, whether it's an upcoming vacation or better overall health. Then find a way to make sure that you can call on your motivational factors during moments of temptation. You might want to post an encouraging note to yourself on the pantry door or refrigerator, for instance.

While you have to take responsibility for your own behavior for successful weight loss, it helps to have support of the right kind. Pick people to support you who will encourage you in positive ways, without shame, embarrassment or sabotage.

Ideally, find people who will listen to your concerns and feelings, spend time exercising with you or creating healthy menus, and share the priority you've placed on developing a healthier lifestyle. Your support group can also offer accountability, which can be a strong motivation for sticking to your weight-loss goals.

If you prefer to keep your weight-loss plans private, be accountable to yourself by having regular weigh-ins, recording your diet and exercise progress in a journal, or tracking your progress using digital tools.

3. Set realistic goals

It may seem obvious to set realistic weight-loss goals. But do you really know what's realistic? Over the long term, it's smart to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.

Depending on your weight, 5% of your current weight may be a realistic goal, at least for an initial goal. If you weigh 180 pounds (82 kilograms), that's 9 pounds (4 kilograms). Even this level of weight loss can help lower your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

When you're setting goals, think about both process and outcome goals. "Walk every day for 30 minutes" is an example of a process goal. "Lose 10 pounds" is an example of an outcome goal. It isn't essential that you have an outcome goal, but you should set process goals because changing your habits is a key to weight loss.

4. Enjoy healthier foods

Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake. But decreasing calories need not mean giving up taste, satisfaction or even ease of meal preparation.

One way you can lower your calorie intake is by eating more plant-based foods fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without giving up taste or nutrition.

Get your weight loss started with these tips:

• Eat at least four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits daily.
• Replace refined grains with whole grains.
• Use modest amounts of healthy fats, such as olive oil, vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, nut butters and nut oils.
• Cut back on sugar as much as possible, except the natural sugar in fruit.
• Choose low-fat dairy products and lean meat and poultry in limited amounts.

5. Get active, stay active

While you can lose weight without exercise, regular physical activity plus calorie restriction can help give you the weight-loss edge. Exercise can help burn off the excess calories you can't cut through diet alone.

Exercise also offers numerous health benefits, including boosting your mood, strengthening your cardiovascular system and reducing your blood pressure. Exercise can also help in maintaining weight loss. Studies show that people who maintain their weight loss over the long term get regular physical activity.

How many calories you burn depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities. One of the best ways to lose body fat is through steady aerobic exercise such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Some people may require more physical activity than this to lose weight and maintain that weight loss.

Any extra movement helps burn calories. Think about ways you can increase your physical activity throughout the day if you can't fit in formal exercise on a given day. For example, make several trips up and down stairs instead of using the elevator, or park at the far end of the lot when shopping.

6. Change your perspective

It's not enough to eat healthy foods and exercise for only a few weeks or even months if you want long-term, successful weight management. These habits must become a way of life. Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating patterns and daily routine.

After assessing your personal challenges to weight loss, try working out a strategy to gradually change habits and attitudes that have sabotaged your past efforts. Then move beyond simply recognizing your challenges plan for how you'll deal with them if you're going to succeed in losing weight once and for all.

You likely will have an occasional setback. But instead of giving up entirely after a setback, simply start fresh the next day. Remember that you're planning to change your life. It won't happen all at once. Stick to your healthy lifestyle and the results will be worth it.

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Dec. 07, 2021Show references

1. Hensrud DD, et al. Ready, set, go. In: The Mayo Clinic Diet. 2nd ed. Mayo Clinic; 2017.
2. Duyff RL. Reach and maintain your healthy weight. In: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons; 2017.
3. Losing weight: Getting started. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_weight/getting_started.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2019.
4. Do you know some of the health risks of being overweight? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/weight-control/health_risks_being_overweight/Pages/health-risks-being-overweight.aspx. Accessed Nov. 15, 2019.
5. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2014; doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.11.004.
6. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed Nov. 15, 2019.
7. Physical activity for a healthy weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2019.

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