Now that you have decided to help your pet to lose weight here are some useful tips to guide you. Whenever you are tempted to give in or cheat try to remember the risks associated with obesity. You may feel mean at first - but give your pet an alternative to a food reward. A game with your dog or cat is far healthier, and as your pet's fitness level improves, games will become even more fun!

1. Change your pet’s diet to our recommended restricted calorie food. Your pet will feel hungry if you just suddenly reduce his diet. A hungry pet will be unhappy, and start begging and bin raiding, so any change in diet must be introduced gradually. Prescription calorie control diets contain more water and roughage than regular pet foods, and this will help your cat or dog to feel full and content. Advice will be given by your Pet Healthcare Adviser.

2. You don’t have to cut out titbits – just remember that the more titbits you give, the less food you should give your pet at meal-times. Giving a treat is rewarding for both animal and owner, and providing the treats are healthy ones (such as a Pedigree rice bone for dogs, or a small piece of reduced fat ham for cats) they can still be a part of your pet’s daily routine. Carrots and apples may also be offered to dogs, but you must be honest with your Pet Healthcare Adviser as to exactly how many treats you like to give – otherwise the diet plan will be unsuccessful. Remember that if your dog eats one chocolate digestive biscuit, it's equivalent to you eating the whole packet!

3. Adapt your pet’s routine long-term. If you have ever been on a crash diet yourself, you will know that as soon as you start eating normally, the weight creeps back on. The key is to make life-style changes and aim for gradual weight loss rather than expect a dramatic improvement in a short space of time. In the wild, it is natural for cats and dogs to hunt at dawn and dusk, and to work for their meals. We can aim to recreate this scenario by feeding two smaller meals (even three if need be) and hide the food around the house and garden in unusual places. Placing the food at the top of a staircase is a great way to get a lazy animal moving!

4. Always weigh the amount of food that you have been instructed to give. Use the special measuring cup provided and don’t leave it to guesswork. Buying a smaller sized feeding bowl may fool your pet into thinking the portion is bigger (it has a psychological benefit to humans, so give it a go!). Feed your weight-watching pet away from other pets, and out of temptation’s way when you are preparing food or eating yourself.

5. Exercise is an important part of any weight loss programme. Our Pet Healthcare Advisor will have discussed an exercise regime with you. Remember to gradually increase the amount of exercise for your dog or cat. Frequent, short walks or game playing sessions are far more beneficial than a single hike or mad dash around the garden.

6. Suggested exercise for dogs:

• Tug of war – with a Ragger (a rope with knots at both ends available to purchase from the surgery).
   
• Swimming – fantastic if you live near a beach, but physiotherapy pools, especially for dogs, are becoming more popular.
   
• Fetch the Kong – these are honeycomb-shaped, indestructible toys made by the Company of Animals that provide hours of fun due to their unpredictable, bouncy nature. Floating Kongs are available for games in water, and you can even hide food in them (see 3).
   
• 3-4 brisk 20 minute walks per day (but build this up gradually if your dog has previously been a couch potato!).
   
• Feed your dog at the top of the stairs (see 3 – and make sure he or she is downstairs first!).
   
• Attend a training class – great revision for your dog and a chance for both you and your pet to meet new friends.

7. Suggested exercise for cats:

• Chasing games, with feathers and dried fish attached to a piece of wool or string.
   
• Cat nip extravaganza – this really gets most cats in the mood for a bit of rolling, purring and pussy ecstasy. Catnip spray is available and can be squirted on a scratching post to encourage use.
   
• Kitty Kong games – the Kitty Kong is a mad, purple, mouse-shaped object that bounces unpredictably and has the bonus of being hollow. You can either stuff it with the catnip impregnated sheets provided, or fill it with part of your cat’s daily food allowance (see 3).
   
• Feed your cat at the top of the stairs (see 3 – and make sure he or she is downstairs first!).
   
• Assault courses! Cats that are allowed outdoors, and that are hungry enough can be encouraged to get up to all sorts of unusual activities. Why not devise a small series of objects that your cat is encouraged to jump onto or inside (e.g. tree stumps, cardboard boxes, Ikea paper bags etc.) all for a tiny food reward. Don’t go overboard with the rewards as heavy exercise + food = poorly tummies and less of a main meal later!).