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Atlanta Hwy

334-259-3900

Chantilly Pkwy

334-279-0500
Goodwin Animal Hospital
Goodwin Animal Hospital
Atlanta Hwy Chantilly Pkwy
Atlanta Hwy Chantilly Pkwy
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    Goodwin Animal Hospital Logo
  • Our Hospital
    • About Goodwin
      Animal Hospital
    • Payment Solutions
    • Hospital Forms
    • Reviews
  • Veterinary Care
    • Preventive Care
    • Wellness Exams
    • Vaccinations
    • Puppy/Kitten And Senior Pet Care
    • Early Detection Testing
    • Parasite Prevention And Control
    • Nutritional Counseling
    • Pharmacy
    • Microchipping
    • General Vet Medicine
    • Pet Allergies And Dermatology
    • Dental Care
    • Pain Management
    • Surgery
    • Blood and Plasma Transfusions
    • Endoscopy
    • Pet Emergency Services
    • Behavioral Consultation
    • Cardiology
    • Endocrinology
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Radiology
    • Ultrasounds
    • Digital Radiography
    • Additional Vet
      Services
    • Laser Therapy
    • Doggie Day Care
    • Pocket Pets & Exotic Pets
    • Shop Online
  • Boarding
  • Grooming
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    • Blogs
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      Promotions
    • Pet Resources
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  • Contact

Atlanta

334-259-3900 Schedule Your
Appointment

Chantilly

334-279-0500 Schedule Your
Appointment

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

"Improving lives through personalized care. We treat you like family and each patient like our own pet."

Pet Obesity

Pet Obesity

We are constantly being told that obesity levels are increasing and we should act now to ensure our long term health. However this problem does not just affect humans. A shocking statistic from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention states that an estimated 54% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese.
(Source: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2015)

Just like humans, pets who are overweight are at increased risk of a number of health problems including but not limited to:
 

  • Cranial cruciate ligament injury

  • Decreased life expectancy by up to 2.5 years

  • Heart and respiratory disease

  • High blood pressure

  • Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

  • Kidney disease

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Varying forms of cancer

Pet Obesity

How can I tell if my pet is overweight?

There are several methods that you can use to determine if your pet may be overweight or obese. These are simple physical checks that you can do in your own home.

Dogs and cats should be hourglass shaped with a clear taper at their waist. Overweight animals do not have this taper and appear more oval or egg shaped.

In a pet of a healthy weight you should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs. Visible ribs are indicative of an underweight animal. If you place your hands on either side of your pets chest and still cannot see their ribs then they are very likely to be overweight.

Animals do not usually reach major levels of obesity until they are at least 7 years old, but when they do they have noticeably large amounts of hip and neck fat, and a very large and round abdomen.

Veterinarians are also able to determine your pets’ Body Fat Index by taking a number of different measurements, and then will be able to advise you if it is within healthy parameters.

If you are at all concerned about the weight of your pet then contact your veterinarian to make an appointment to determine if your pet would benefit from a specifically tailored weight loss program.


Treatment

Just like their human friends, the key to combating obesity in pets is to decrease the number of calories being eaten and increase the amount of exercise taken. Many guidelines suggest that food is automatically reduced by 25%, however we recommend that you speak to your veterinarian who will consider your pets breed, age and general health before recommending drastic changes to their diet or lifestyle.
​
Your veterinarian will undertake regular monitoring of your pet during any tailored weight loss program to ensure that weight loss is steady and achieved healthily. They will also advise changes to the program if any aspects are not working as they should. Activity levels can also be monitored and increased in line with your pets’ weight loss and improving fitness.


Weight Loss Tips

 
  • Avoid giving your pets snacks from the dinner table – all those little nibbles quickly mount up to a lot of extra calories.

  • Limit treats to several times a week. The calories given as treats must be deducted from the total daily recommended calories your pet is given.

  • Follow the feeding instructions and ensure that your pet is eating the right amount of food for their current stage of life.

  • You may want to consider how many times per day you feed your pet. Sometimes splitting larger portions into smaller, more regular meals will help keep your pet feeling full and satisfied.

  • When it comes to exercise with your pet get into a routine. Whether it’s going for walks or playing with them, try and do it at the same time every day. This way your pet knows what to expect and it quickly becomes a habit for both of you!

Atlanta Highway:

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Pet Health Articles

  • Dogs
    • Canine Distemper
    • Canine Parvovirus
    • Picking Your Perfect Puppy
  • Cats
    • Feline Distemper
    • Picking Your Perfect Cat
  • Exotics
    • Avian Vet Care
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  • Health
    • Dental Hygiene and Oral Care
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    • Feeding Your Pet
    • Flea Prevention and Care
    • General Pet Safety
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    • Heat Stroke Awareness
    • Pet Grooming
    • Pet Obesity
    • Recognizing An Ill Pet
    • Seasonal Care
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    • Vaccinations and Examinations
  • General
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Pets and Kids
    • How to Adopt
    • Traveling with Your Pet
    • Training Your Pet
    • Finding A Reputable Breeder
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Atlanta Hwy Location
Chantilly Pkwy Location

Contact Information

Atlanta Hwy Location
  • Address
    Goodwin Animal Hospital
    4701 Atlanta Highway
    Montgomery, AL 36109
  • Phone
    334-259-3900
Chantilly Pkwy Location
  • Address
    Goodwin Animal Hospital & Pet Resort
    11485 Chantilly Parkway
    Pike Road, AL 36064
  • Phone
    334-279-0500
  • Email
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Goodwin Animal Hospital

Animal Hospital Hours

Atlanta Hwy Location
  • Monday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Friday:
    7:00am - 5:30pm
  • Saturday:
    8:00am - 2:00pm
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Chantilly Pkwy Location
  • Monday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday:
    7:00am - 6:00pm
  • Friday:
    7:00am - 5:30pm
  • Saturday:
    8:00am - 12:00pm
  • Sunday:
    Closed
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