Today, nearly 90% of U.S. dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, which gives these dogs and cats many advantages, including medical and behavioral benefits.¹ Unfortunately, pets that have been spayed or neutered are also at a much higher risk for becoming obese.
- Cats are 3.4x as likely to become obese after the procedure²
- Dogs are 2x as likely to become obese after the procedure³
Spay and neuter procedures significantly change a pet’s appetite and metabolism. Choosing a diet that proactively addresses these changes can make a real difference for your pet.
POST-PROCEDURE: WHAT YOUR PET EXPERIENCES
Post-procedure, hormone shifts result in slower metabolism, meaning pets require fewer daily calories than they did before the procedure. Unfortunately, they also cause an increase in appetite, so pets feel like they want to eat even more than they did pre-procedure, while they actually need to eat even less. It’s a recipe for weight gain over time.
- If a pet becomes obese, it can lead to a number of conditions that reduce quality of life and can even shorten life span.4-6
- Certain cancers
- Cardiorespiratory disorders
- Chronic inflammation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Exercise intolerance
- Joint & ligament disease
- Renal disease
DON’T FEED LESS. FEED DIFFERENTLY.
When reducing calories for pets, it matters how we do it. Traditionally pet owners have been advised to “feed less” or buy “weight control” food. These strategies can leave pets feeling hungry or even nutrient deficient. When it comes to spayed and neutered pets, it has been shown that dogs and cats fed a high-protein, high-fiber diet have less weight gain and less change in body condition than those fed standard adult wellness diets.4
VETERINARY HPM® SPAY & NEUTER DIETS
Spaying and neutering are more than routine procedures; the nutritional needs of spayed and neutered pets change for the rest of their lives following their procedure. VETERINARY HPM® prioritizes energy from animal protein and includes a purposeful blend of fibers. These diets are unique in that they help your pet feel full, while still delivering the right amount of calories and nutrients for spayed and neutered pets.
TAILOR-MADE FOR SPAYED & NEUTERED PETS
- Prioritizes animal protein
- Supports a healthy metabolism
- Focuses on nutrients to help them feel full
- Developed for junior (puppies, kittens) and adult pets
USE YOUR PET’S SIZE AND AGE TO FIND THE RIGHT VETERINARY HPM® SPAY & NEUTER DIET FOR YOUR PET.
CAT
≤ 12 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Junior Cat Food
> 12 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Adult Cat Food
SMALL DOG (Expected Adult Weight 0-22 pounds)
≤ 10 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Small & Toy Junior Dog Food
> 10 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Small & Toy Adult Dog Food
MEDIUM DOG (Expected Adult Weight 22-55 pounds)
≤ 12 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Junior Dog Food
> 12 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Adult Dog Food
LARGE DOG (Expected Adult Weight >55 pounds)
≤ 18 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Junior Dog Food
> 18 months: VETERINARY HPM® Spay & Neuter Large & Medium Adult Dog Food
©2021 Virbac Corporation. All rights reserved. VETERINARY HPM is a registered trademark of Virbac S.A. 8/21 13162
References
1. APPA, 2019-2020 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. https://www.americanpetproducts.org/ pubs_survey.asp
2. Nguyen PG, Dumon HJ, Siliart BS, Martin LJ, Sergheraert R, Biourge VC. Effects of dietary fat and energy on body weight and composition after gonadectomy in cats. Am J Vet Res. 2004;65(12):1708-1713.
3. Lefebvre SL, Yang M, Wang M, Elliott DA, Buff PR, Lund EM. Effect of age at gonadectomy on the probability of dogs becoming overweight. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;243(2):236-243.
4. Phungviwatnikul T, Valentine H, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS. Effects of diet on body weight, body composition, metabolic status, and physical activity levels of adult female dogs after spay surgery. J Anim Sci. 2020;98(3):1-13.
5. German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. 2006;136(7 Suppl.):1940S-1946S.
6. Toll PW, Yamka RM, Schoenherr WD, Hand MS. Obesity. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al., eds. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. 5th ed. Mark Morris Institute; 2010:501-542.