Ed. Note: The following is a KHTS Feature story based on a recent radio interview with Cinema Veterinary Centre

Nearly half of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, and losing weight was ranked the No. 1 resolution made in 2015 by the Statistic Brain Research Institute. But about your pets?

Maintaining a healthy weight is just as important for our pets as it is for us, so pet owners can help get their pets into shape in 2016 by following a few easy tips from Santa Clarita veterinarian Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto.

Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM

First, you should determine if your pet is carrying a little extra holiday– or everyday –weight by conducting a simple at-home body condition scoring test.

“When looking at them from above you want them to have a little bit of an hourglass shape, so a little bit of an indentation where the waist should be,” Ronchetto explained. “When you feel them, you should be able to feel ribs fairly easily, but not have them poking out.”

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Once you’ve decided it’s time for your dog or cat to join you in your “New Year, New You” transformation, you can start by evaluating their diet and ensuring they’re getting enough exercise.

Instead of simply letting your dog sniff around the backyard a few times a day, take him out for short “potty walks” in addition to a longer daily walk for extra exercise.

For cats, test out a few different kinds of toys to find out what she’s interested in and make an effort to have daily playtime with her.

“Every cat has their thing,” Ronchetto noted, “so finding what works for them takes a little bit of trial and error.”

Instead of free-feeding your dog or cat, plan meal times and use a measuring cup to determine exactly how much they’re getting. When starting out, be sure to reduce the amount of food in small increments over time, always following the advice of your veterinarian.

Transitioning your pet to weight management food and replacing treats or food rewards with extra affection can also make a big difference.

“Attention in general, belly rubs and love is usually enough for them,” Ronchetto said.

Just like people, over time you may find your pet has not only lowered his health risks, but also has more energy, rests better at night and seems to feel a few years younger– and that could be all the motivation you need to keep your New Year’s resolution for your pet from here on out.

KHTS Feature Story

Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM, is a Santa Clarita veterinarian who opened her own veterinary hospital in Valencia after spending several years in private practice as an associate veterinarian at other SCV hospitals. Ronchetto and the staff at Cinema Veterinary Centre strive to give every dog, cat and pocket pet outstanding quality care in the areas of medicine and surgery. A Hart High School graduate, Ronchetto earned her BS degree from UC Davis and graduated with Honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Cinema Veterinary Centre

23460 Cinema Drive

Valencia, CA 91355

(661) 253-9300