Cimarron Animal Clinic offers nutritional counseling for pet owners of Stillwater and surrounding communities. If you have any questions about your pet's diet or would like more information about your pet's nutritional needs please contact us today. We can set up a nutrition plan for your pet.
Obesity is a common problem among pets, as it can be easy to over-feed a pet that knows how to beg. But being overweight is a serious problem for animals, and can cause real health problems as they get older. With proper diet and exercise, all pets should be able to meet their dietary needs and be within a healthy weight range.
A pet's nutritional needs change as they enter different stages of their lives. The best way to make sure your pet's needs are being met is to consult with us about a diet made specifically for them and their lifestyle. Please contact us if you have any questions; we would love to speak with you.
Customized nutritional roadmaps supporting peak vitality and longevity.
The Danger of Pet Obesity and How We Combat It
Over 55% of dogs and cats in the United States are clinically overweight or obese. While it is easy to succumb to pleading eyes and treat-begging routines, excess body fat is not merely an aesthetic concern—it is a chronic, low-grade inflammatory disease that severely compromises your pet's quality of life.
Carrying excess adipose tissue predisposes animals to debilitating health complications: - Osteoarthritis & Joint Degradation: Excess mechanical load accelerates cartilage wear, causing chronic pain and immobility. - Cardiovascular & Respiratory Strain: Extra weight forces the heart to work harder and narrows thoracic airways, leading to exercise intolerance and heat distress. - Endocrine Disorders: Feline type 2 diabetes mellitus is directly correlated with obesity, while dogs face increased metabolic stress and insulin resistance. - Decreased Longevity: Peer-reviewed veterinary studies confirm that lean dogs live an average of nearly two full years longer than their overweight counterparts.
Life-Stage Nutrition: Feeding Puppies, Adults, and Seniors
A pet's metabolic rate and nutritional requirements change dramatically across life stages: 1. Pediatric Growth (Puppy & Kitten): Growing animals require higher concentrations of dietary protein, essential amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for optimal skeletal and neural development. Large-breed puppies require precise calcium-to-phosphorus ratios to prevent rapid bone growth disorders. 2. Adult Maintenance: Once physical growth concludes (typically 12 months for cats and small dogs, 18-24 months for large breeds), diets must shift toward balanced caloric intake and essential fatty acids to preserve lean muscle without promoting fat accumulation. 3. Senior & Geriatric Vitality (7+ Years): Aging companion animals experience reduced caloric needs, decreased renal efficiency, and joint stiffness. Senior formulas feature controlled phosphorus levels to protect kidneys, elevated fiber for digestive motility, and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) and glucosamine to lubricate aging joints.
Household Foods Strictly Toxic to Pets
Never feed your companion animals: Chocolate (theobromine toxicity), Xylitol/Birch Sugar (found in sugar-free gum, peanut butter, and baked goods, causing acute liver failure and hypoglycemia), Grapes & Raisins (causing acute renal failure in canines), Onions & Garlic (causing oxidative hemolysis and hemolytic anemia), Macadamia nuts, and Cooked poultry bones (which splinter and cause gastrointestinal perforation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pet is overweight?
We utilize the universal 9-point Body Condition Score (BCS). You should be able to easily feel your pet's ribs under a thin layer of fat without pressing hard, observe an obvious waist tuck when looking from above, and notice an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. A score of 4 to 5 out of 9 represents ideal weight.
Is a grain-free diet healthier for my dog?
In most cases, no. Unless your pet has a medically diagnosed allergy to a specific grain (which is rare; protein allergies to chicken or beef are far more common), grain-free diets provide no inherent health advantage. Furthermore, the FDA has investigated potential associations between boutique grain-free diets high in legumes/peas and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
How much should I feed my pet each day?
The feeding guidelines on commercial pet food bags are broad averages and frequently overestimate caloric needs. At Cimarron Animal Clinic, we calculate your pet's exact Resting Energy Requirement (RER) and Daily Energy Requirement (DER) in kilocalories based on their current weight, ideal target weight, and daily activity level.