Does your pet need to lose weight? To check your dog, move your hands along his sides. If you can feel his ribs, he's about right. When you look down on him you should be able to see a "waistline". A home test for kitty is to run your hands down his sides when he's standing. If his abdomen protrudes beyond the ribs, he's probably overweight. Next make a visit to your veterinarian. He'll examine your pet to make sure that the extra weight is not being caused by another health condition, such as hormone imbalances.

The first step, once your pet has a clean bill of health, is to enlist the help of all family members. Just as people sometimes snack more than they realize pets can be snacking, too. The entire family should refrain from feeding high-calorie treats and "begging rewards" from the table. It may be that after everyone compares notes, eliminating snacks alone may achieve the weight loss.

If more needs to be done, you can change to a food formulated for weight control … a "light" formula. The reduced-calorie premium foods provide your pet with the balanced nutrition to maintain healthy skin and coat and aid in proper digestion while reducing calories by limiting total fat. Light foods also have more fiber, so your pet won't feel hunger.

The change from your pet's customary food to the reduced-calorie food (or any time you change foods) should take place gradually over a few days. The amount of the regular ration should be reduced each day with the low-calorie food making up the difference in the total quantity. By introducing the new food slowly, you avoid possible digestive problems sometimes caused by a change in diet.

To insure that your pet does get the proper nutrition to maintain overall health, be sure use the package feeding guidelines. Measure out an appropriate amount of food based on your pet's size. If food is left at the end of the day, discard it and begin the next day with a new, measured portion.

A second, and equally important issue to address is exercise. Many indoor pets do not have as much opportunity to exercise as do their outdoor cousins. With both cats and dogs, exercise can take the form of play with the pet owner. And as an added benefit, play helps build the pet/owner bond. For dogs, a daily walking program will help shed those pounds.

Whatever activity you decide to pursue, remember that your overweight pet is probably out-of-shape, too. Just as you would with your own exercise program, start your pet out slowly and build endurance over time.