Each consultation is structured and individualised, taking into account your dog’s age, lifestyle, medical history, and current rehabilitation or pain management plan. A typical consultation may include:

• Comprehensive dietary review
  Assessment of your dog’s current diet, feeding routine, treats, supplements, and hydration.

• Health and lifestyle assessment
  Consideration of age, breed, activity level, neuter status, existing medical conditions, and current medications or supplements (in collaboration with veterinary guidance).

• Body condition and weight assessment
  Evaluation of body condition score (BCS), muscle condition, and weight trends.

• Nutritional requirements and calculations
  Individual calorie and nutrient calculations to support your dog’s specific needs, particularly in relation to rehabilitation, mobility, and pain management.

• Nutritional recommendations
  Evidence-informed guidance on appropriate diets, feeding strategies, and supplements where indicated, always within professional scope and alongside veterinary care.

• Integration with rehabilitation goals
  Nutritional advice aligned with your dog’s musculoskeletal health, recovery, and exercise programme.

• Written summary and recommendations
  Clear, practical guidance provided for home implementation

Weight Management Clinic

​Your Dog’s Weight Really Does Matter

Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most important factors in managing joint health and reducing strain on the musculoskeletal system. Even small amounts of excess weight can significantly increase stress on joints and worsen pain, particularly in dogs with osteoarthritis or mobility challenges.

​

The Impact of Body Weight on Pain

​​Adipose (fat) tissue is biologically active and plays a direct role in inflammation and pain, it  produces inflammatory substances called cytokines and adipokines, which can:

• Increases systemic inflammation

• Heightens pain sensitivity

• Accelerates osteoarthritis progression

​

This means excess body fat can amplify pain signals, even without movement and many dog owners are surprised to learn that body weight and diet directly influence how much pain a dog experiences. Research clearly shows that obesity, osteoarthritis (OA), chronic pain, and inflammation are closely linked .

​​​​

Obesity can also lead to a variety of medical issues like:

• ​Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Respiratory Diseases

• Tumours

• Hypothyroidism

​​

​Why keep your dog lean & healthy?
 

• Increases lifespan and quality of life

• Delays signs of chronic disease

• Reduces pain from arthritis

​

​Healthy weight = healthier joints, reduced pain, and improved quality of life.

​

The Science:

A body weight reduction of 8% reduces established lameness in osteoarthritic dogs (Vet Res Commun. 2010; 34(3): 241–253).
 

Results from an acclaimed study in a group of Labradors suggest that 25% restriction in food intake increased the median life span in dogs and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in these dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220:1315–1320).
 

keeping your dogs lean, fit and healthy can increase their lifespan and quality of life (Life Expectancy tables for dogs & cats derived from. Front Vet Sci,  Montoya et al., 2023;10).

 ​​

Weight Management Focused Care Clinic can include:

• Accurate body condition scoring and weight tracking

• Calorie calculations tailored to your dog’s needs

• Feeding adjustments to support safe, gradual weight loss or maintenance

• Practical guidance on treats, portion control, and feeding habits

Appropriate weight management can improve comfort, mobility, energy levels, and overall quality of life, while supporting the success of rehabilitation and pain management programmes.