An extra pound or two on our pets doesn’t seem like a huge deal—you might even think it makes your furry friend cuter. However, even a pound on a small dog or a cat can be a significant percentage of his or her weight. For example, a Yorkie who tips the scales at “just” 12 pounds is equivalent to a 5-foot-4 woman who weighs 218 pounds! And the health risks—like back pain, arthritis, kidney disease, and diabetes—aren’t cute at all. Luckily, Nestle, parent company of Purina, recently released an online weight loss program to help pets (and pet owners) lose the pudge. Teaming up with Jenny Craig, they launched Project Pet Slim Down this month to provide weight loss tools for pet owners who are helping their cat or dog lose weight. Visitors to the site can calculate their pet’s Body Conditioning Score. Then you’re encouraged to work with your vet to get a feeding and diet recommendations. The site lets you track your pet’s progress, post photos and videos, and get helpful tip and reminders for you and your pet’s weight loss journey. You can even earn badges and share your pet’s progress on Facebook. Losing weight isn’t easy—for you or your pet—but having a diet partner, especially one that always wants to go on a walk with you, is a great way to stick to your New Year’s resolution. More from Prevention:Is Your Pet Too Pudgy?
