Weight Management:The Secret to Vet Bill Savings  

If your pooch is a little pudgy there’s good news for you…You have scope to reduce your vet bills!

And the best way to receive immediate and long-term savings on your vet bills is to slim your pet down to a healthy weight!

That’s right, dieting your overweight dog will save you money!

How Pet Weight Loss Saves on Vet Bills 

1. Healthy weight dogs have cheaper medication costs.

Most medicines are dosed according to body weight. Therefore, the heavier your dog, the greater the dose of medicine required. With medicine routinely charged out according to dose, treatment costs for heavy dogs soon tally up.

Many pet parents enjoy significant savings on prescription medicines after successfully dieting their dogs! And it is not uncommon for dogs to drop a weight range (or two!) on their regular parasite preventatives (flea, tick and worm medications), quickly contributing to significant vet bill savings over the course of a year.

2. Reducing your dog’s weight decreases the risk of costly chronic illness and disease.

By effectively managing your dog’s weight you will significantly reduce your dog’s risk of developing chronic illness.

Diabetes, chronic skin infections, urinary incontinence and arthritis are costly conditions linked with dog obesity. These conditions often require costly veterinary monitoring and long-term medication.

(Nationwide Pet Insurance members spent over $69 million USD on obesity related claims in 2018, with obesity related claims increasing for the eighth consecutive year!)

By effectively slimming your furred friend it’s likely you will improve disease symptoms and reduce your pet’s reliance on medication- meaning less trips to the vet and cheaper vet fees.

3. Healthy weight dogs are less likely to require surgery.

Obese dogs are at an increased risk of spinal, joint and ligament injury requiring surgery.

One of the most common operations carried out on overweight dogs is the ACL or anterior cruciate ligament repair. This operation alone can cost upwards of $ 3000 USD and often requires follow up rehabilitation such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Upper airway surgery is also becoming increasingly common with overweight dogs. The recent ownership trend in brachycephalic-short faced breeds (Pugs, French Bull Terriers and Bull Dogs), has resulted in an increasing number of dogs suffering from obstructive airway syndrome.

Restrictive breathing patterns are pronounced in overweight dogs, often necessitating urgent surgical intervention to open the airways.

By contrast, healthy weight dogs benefit from reduced anesthetic risk, and have better post-operative outcomes with faster recuperation. 

The vet bill savings don't stop here! 

Reduced canine weight often results in lowered pet transport costs, lower pet boarding costs and reduced grooming costs.  Not to mention reduced feeding costs!

Slimming your overweight dog makes both financial and health sense. But most importantly it means your trusty companion gets to enjoy a longer and happier life by your side.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your successful dog weight loss transformation today. Not only will it save your hip pocket, it will maximize your dog’s health and happiness!

Ready to Maximize Dog Lifespan and Reduce Vet Bills? 

WAGSTA Wellness will provide your dog with a customised portion and activity plan.  This veterinary-led program will guide you step-by-step in achieving a healthy weight for your four pawed friend.  Learn more today!

*The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. July 2006 136:7 1940s-1946s
*Effects of dietary restriction on lifespan and age related changes in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002:220 1315-1320