Help your pet
live longer.
Live better.

More than 56% of dogs and 60% of cats in Australia and New Zealand are overweight or obese. Yet most owners don't realise their pet has a problem — because it happens gradually, and because a "chubby" pet can seem healthy and happy.

The reality is different. Excess body weight quietly shortens your pet's life by up to 2.5 years, and significantly raises the risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Why it happens

Pet obesity isn't about willpower — it's about biology and environment. The main drivers are:

• Overfeeding: Most owners misjudge portion sizes. Feeding guidelines on packaging are often maximums, not targets.
• Treat accumulation: A single dental chew for a small dog can represent 20% of their daily calorie needs.
• Reduced activity: Indoor lifestyles, busy owners, and ageing pets all reduce energy expenditure.
• Neutering: Spayed and neutered pets have lower metabolic rates — their food needs to be adjusted accordingly.
• Breed predisposition: Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Pugs, and British Shorthairs are genetically prone to weight gain.

How to tell if your pet is overweight

The most reliable at-home test is the rib check: run your fingers along your pet's ribcage. You should be able to feel individual ribs with light pressure, without pressing hard — similar to the feeling of the back of your hand. If you can't feel them at all, your pet is likely overweight.

For a more precise assessment, our free health tool uses a validated 9-point Body Condition Score (BCS) system, combined with breed-specific ideal weight ranges, to give you an accurate picture in under 60 seconds.

The smart nutrition approach

Crash diets don't work for pets any more than they do for humans. Safe weight loss for dogs is 1–2% of body weight per week; for cats, no more than 0.5–1% — faster loss in cats risks a dangerous condition called hepatic lipidosis.

The most effective strategies are:

• Switch to a measured, weighed portion using your pet's target weight, not current weight
• Replace calorie-dense treats with low-calorie alternatives (carrot slices for dogs, small pieces of cooked chicken for cats)
• Increase activity gradually — 5 minutes extra per day makes a real difference over time
• Schedule monthly weight checks to track progress

The goal isn't a dramatic short-term change — it's a sustainable new normal that your pet (and you) can maintain for the rest of their life.

CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) and Krill Oil are two of the most researched nutrients for supporting heart health, cellular energy, and healthy ageing in companion animals. As pets age, their ability to synthesise these compounds naturally declines — making dietary supplementation increasingly important.

What is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in virtually every cell of the body. It plays a critical role in the mitochondrial energy chain — essentially, it helps cells produce energy efficiently. The heart, which never stops working, has one of the highest CoQ10 concentrations of any tissue.

In dogs and cats, CoQ10 levels naturally decline with age and can be further reduced by certain medications, including statins (used occasionally in veterinary cardiology). Research suggests supplementation may help support:

• Cardiac function in older dogs, particularly breeds prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) such as Dobermanns and Boxers
• Energy levels in ageing pets who seem less active
• Antioxidant defence, reducing oxidative stress associated with chronic disease

What is Krill Oil — and how is it different from fish oil?

Krill Oil is derived from Antarctic krill (small crustaceans) and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), similar to fish oil. The key difference is bioavailability: the omega-3s in krill oil are bound to phospholipids, which are absorbed more efficiently than the triglyceride-bound omega-3s in standard fish oil.

Krill oil also contains astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that gives krill their reddish colour and provides additional anti-inflammatory protection.

Benefits supported by research include:

• Reduced joint inflammation — particularly relevant for overweight pets and large breeds
• Improved coat condition and reduced skin irritation
• Support for cardiovascular health
• Cognitive support in senior pets

Who benefits most?

Both supplements are most beneficial for senior pets (7+ years for dogs, 10+ for cats), overweight animals with joint stress, and breeds genetically predisposed to heart conditions. As always, consult your vet before starting any supplement regimen, especially if your pet is on existing medication.

Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — is one of the most common and misunderstood conditions in dogs, and is increasingly diagnosed in cats. It ranges from a mild, self-limiting episode to a severe, life-threatening emergency. Understanding the causes is the first step to prevention.

What does the pancreas do?

The pancreas has two jobs: it produces digestive enzymes that break down food in the small intestine, and it regulates blood sugar through insulin and glucagon. In pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes activate prematurely — inside the pancreas itself — causing it to essentially begin digesting its own tissue. The result is painful inflammation that can spread to surrounding organs.

Why does it happen?

In many cases, the exact trigger is never identified. But the most well-established risk factors are:

• High-fat meals: The single most common trigger in dogs. A single fatty meal — including "human food" scraps like bacon, sausage, or roast drippings — can precipitate an acute episode, particularly in predisposed breeds.
• Obesity: Overweight pets are significantly more likely to develop pancreatitis. Excess body fat alters lipid metabolism in ways that stress the pancreas.
• Breed predisposition: Miniature Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, and Yorkshire Terriers have higher genetic susceptibility. Siamese cats appear to be more prone than other feline breeds.
• Certain medications: Corticosteroids, some antibiotics, and chemotherapy agents are associated with pancreatitis in susceptible animals.
• Hyperlipidaemia: Elevated blood triglycerides and cholesterol increase risk — often linked to obesity or underlying endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease.

Recognising the signs

Symptoms vary in severity. Classic signs in dogs include:

• Sudden vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain — often a "praying position" stance (front legs down, hindquarters raised)
• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• Fever in acute cases

Cats are notoriously subtle — they may simply become quieter, eat less, or lose weight gradually. Chronic pancreatitis in cats is particularly easy to miss.

Prevention through diet

The most effective prevention is a consistent, low-fat, nutritionally balanced diet with no high-fat extras. Portion control and maintaining a healthy body weight reduce risk substantially. If your pet has had a previous episode, a veterinary prescription low-fat diet is often recommended long-term.

Avoid feeding table scraps entirely — even small amounts of fatty food can be enough to trigger a relapse in a susceptible animal.