January is traditionally the time that many people make a resolution to lose weight and get in shape, but often our pets can benefit from the same resolution. Obesity is one of the most common health problems we see in pets, and it is related to many serious health problems, such as diabetes, and it often worsens the pain of arthritis.

How can you tell if your pet is overweight? For dogs, rub your hands down the sides of their chest over their ribs; you should be able to easily distinguish individual ribs. If you can't feel them, your pet needs to trim down. Cats usually gain weight on their abdomen near their back legs; normally, there should only be a thin layer of fat present.

The basic rules of weight loss are the same for everyone: eat fewer calories and exercise more. Pets do not necessarily have to be switched to a "diet" food to lose weight, but these foods can help. Reduced calorie pet foods are higher in fiber so the pet can eat the same volume but consume fewer calories. Alternately, you can simply feed less of the regular food. For cats, it has been found that putting them on a high protein, low carbohydrate food helps weight loss.

To determine how much to feed, use the chart on the bag of food as a guide. Start with the amount recommended for your pet's target weight (I.e. if your dog weighs 60 pounds and she needs to lose about 10 pounds, start with the amount recommended for a 50 pound dog). It is important to use a measuring cup for accuracy; it is easy to feed too much. If you are not seeing results after several weeks, you will need to cut back even more. Just as different people have different metabolisms, some animals need much less food than others. So, even if your dog only eats a relatively small amount of food a day, if he is overweight, he is eating too much.

The most common cause of failure in a pet's weight loss is treats. Being on a weight loss plan doesn't mean they can't have any treats, but you have to be careful. If you pet is used to having a treat at certain times, try giving them half a treat instead of a whole one. You will also need to cut back on the amount of food they eat to compensate for the treats.

Adding exercise is much easier with dogs than cats, but it can really make a difference. A good goal is 30 minutes of activity at least 4 days a week, but daily is best whenever possible. Dogs can be taken for a brisk walk or jog, chase a ball or Frisbee, or anything that will get them moving. For cats, get a variety of balls and other toys they can chase. Fishing pole-like toys with a toy on the end of a string are also good.

Helping your pet lose weight is a challenge, but it can greatly improve their quality of life. An added bonus is that regular exercise and play times will strengthen the bond between you and your pet.