Just like humans, being overweight can lead to serious health issues in both dogs and cats. It’s not just about appearance — excess weight increases the risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and even shortens your pet’s life span. Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t realize their furry friend is overweight until it’s already affecting their health.   The most common causes? Overfeeding, lack of exercise, and too many treats (yes, those puppy-dog eyes are powerful!). Some pet parents also misjudge portion sizes, especially for indoor pets with limited activity. Breed, age, and whether the pet is neutered also play roles in how easily they gain weight.   The good news is, managing your pet’s weight is completely doable with a little consistency and care. Start by visiting the vet to check your pet’s ideal weight and discuss a plan. They can help you identify the right food, feeding schedule, and daily calorie needs. Remember: weight loss in pets should be gradual — fast weight loss can actually be harmful.   Finally, combine healthy feeding with fun, regular movement. Dogs may benefit from daily walks, agility play, or fetch. Cats love interactive toys, laser pointers, and climbing shelves. Keeping them active isn’t just good for their waistline — it boosts their mood and strengthens your bond too.     Tips for Managing Your Pet’s Weight   ✓ Use a measuring cup for food — don’t eyeball it! ✓ Avoid table scraps and limit high-calorie treats. ✓ Choose low-calorie training treats or use part of their kibble ration as rewards. ✓ Schedule playtime daily — at least 15–30 minutes of activity. ✓ Weigh your pet monthly and track progress with your vet. ✓ Look for weight-control formulas in pet foods, especially for indoor or senior pets.     Conclusion: Healthy Pets, Happy Lives   Managing your pet’s weight isn’t just about helping them look better — it’s about helping them live longer, healthier, and happier lives. With the right balance of nutrition, activity, and love, your dog or cat can maintain a healthy weight and thrive. Start with small steps today, and your furry friend will thank you for years to come.

When you first adopted your cat, you were probably given a recommendation for a particular type of food or had a preferred brand you opted for right away. However, after months or even years of providing your pet with the same food, there may come a day when you feel the need to change your cat’s food type. In general, changing your cat’s food regularly isn’t necessary. As long as your pet is getting all the nutrients they need to live a happy and healthy life, you could feed them the same thing forever! That being said, there are a few instances in which switching your cat to a different food is a good idea. If a change in diet is necessary for your kitty, make sure to consult your veterinarian and conduct the switch gradually for the best and safest results. Reasons to change your cat’s food Once your vet has approved a cat food for your furry friend, you don’t need to change it on a regular basis. However, certain health concerns may require you to seek out a new type of food that will meet your cat’s needs. Recalls One of the most important, yet somewhat uncommon, reasons to change your cat’s food is a health and safety recall. Once you hear about a recall and double-check that your cat’s food is included, you’ll want to remove your cat’s access to the food immediately, watch them for signs of illness and start feeding them a similar type of food that is safe right away. Life stage Another key reason to start feeding your cat a new type of food is that they have entered a new life stage. Most pet manufacturers sell food specific to a particular age group, such as kittens, adult cats and seniors. These food types may be fortified with certain nutrients; for example, kitten food has extra protein to help your kitten grow, while senior food may include special nutrients to help with age-related illnesses. When your cat enters a new stage of life (from kitten to adult and from adult to senior), you should choose a new type of food that is most appropriate for their age. Speak with your veterinarian to identify the best food for your pet’s specific needs. Allergies Although they aren’t very common, cats can develop food allergies that are triggered by particular cat food ingredients. If your cat begins experiencing itchy, inflamed skin or vomiting and diarrhea, they may be sensitive or allergic to their food. Feline food allergies can be triggered by a wide variety of ingredients, so you’ll want to work with your vet to identify the specific allergen through an elimination diet. During this process, your cat will need to be put on an entirely different diet. Specific health conditions If your cat develops a health condition over the course of their life, there may be a type of food that is more appropriate for their healthcare needs. These types of foods can vary, including everything from weight-management foods to help obese cats to foods fortified with urinary-health ingredients to assist with urinary tract diseases. Other specially formulated foods may help ease discomfort from arthritis, increase fiber to help with digestion and much more. Similarly, if your pet’s current food doesn’t appear to be meeting their nutritional needs, you may want to switch to a higher-quality cat food that offers better ingredients and additional nutrients. Regardless of the reason you’re switching your cat’s food, you should always consult your cat’s veterinarian before doing so to ensure the new food will be appropriate for your cat at their current stage of life and state of health. If you need recommendations for a new pet food, your vet should be able to answer questions and point you in the right direction. How to successfully transition your cat to the new food Once you’ve identified a new food for your furry friend and your vet has given their approval on its safety, you may be tempted to pull your cat off the old food and give them the new food immediately. However, this is a big mistake! Switching your cat’s food too quickly can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea and vomiting. It’s very important to switch your cat over to their new food gradually, unless making an abrupt change is absolutely necessary (as is the case when food has been recalled). The change to the new food should occur over the course of at least seven days, during which you should alter the percentage of old food versus new food slightly each day. On day one, use a mix of mostly old food with a little bit of new food. On each subsequent day, take out a little more of the previous food while adding in more and more of the new food until your cat is eating all-new food every day. Once you complete the switch successfully, monitor your cat for a few weeks to ensure he or she does not show any changes in behavior, health or appearance. If they do, speak with your vet about finding a new food that will be better for them. Source: https://petwellbeing.com/  

When your vet says your dog or cat needs to lose weight, your first instinct might be to cut back on food or try a "diet formula" from the pet store. But weight loss in pets isn’t as simple as just feeding less — it’s about choosing the right nutrition in the right amount for their needs.   Weight management pet foods are specially formulated with lower calories, higher fiber, and often added L-carnitine to support fat metabolism. These diets help your pet feel full while still losing weight at a healthy pace. But not all "light" or "weight control" foods are the same — some may still contain fillers or excess carbs that don’t help long term.   Before making a switch, talk to your vet. They can recommend a vet-approved formula based on your pet’s age, breed, and medical history. In some cases, prescription weight loss diets might be more effective, especially for pets with obesity-related conditions like diabetes or arthritis.   Transitioning to a new food should always be gradual — over 7 to 10 days — to avoid digestive upset. Mix small amounts of the new food with the old, increasing gradually. And remember, food is only part of the equation — regular exercise and limiting treats are just as important in your pet’s weight loss journey.   Tips When Starting a Weight Loss Diet:   - Always check calorie content per cup/can — it varies by brand. - Use treats from their main food (kibble as rewards). - Avoid table scraps — these can derail weight loss fast. - Keep a daily feeding log to stay consistent. - Recheck weight and body condition every 4–6 weeks with your vet.   Conclusion: Healthy Change Starts with the Right Fuel Helping your pet lose weight isn’t about starvation — it’s about smarter choices. With the right weight loss diet, your dog or cat can slim down safely, stay energized, and avoid serious health risks. When in doubt, work with your vet and don’t rush the process — slow and steady really does win the race.   Besides veterinary checkups, we also need to be smart pet owners when choosing daily food for our beloved pets. Daily food that is high in protein is one of the keys to a good pet diet. Because protein can be a primary source of energy without contributing excess calories like carbohydrates or other sources of calories. NatureBridge Lohas for cats and dogs is a suitable daily food that is high in protein but can also be an appropriate diet food. Remember, dieting for pets doesn't mean starving them! Get NatureBridge Lohas exclusively at the official NatureBridge Indonesia store or at the official CPPETINDO store.