It’s much easier to prevent weight gain than it is to lose weight. Willpower is a big problem for most people, but thank goodness cats and dogs can’t pick up the phone to call for pizza, use a can opener, or grab the car keys for a fast-food run!

Preventing obesity relies on a few sound principles that are well known to most dieters. It also entails feeding your pets well-balanced food for their life stage in proper amounts from the first day they enter your life. Like humans, cats and dogs may struggle to achieve that ideal physique, but with a little knowledge and discipline, your pet can be svelte all year long.

Recipes for success:

1. Feed a balanced, nutritionally complete diet tailored to the life stage of your pet.

2. Begin by feeding the amount recommended by the manufacturer and tailor it to your pet’s lifestyle.

3. Always measure the amount of food you feed your pets. Use measuring cups for accuracy and never eyeball the amount of food you’re giving.

4. Once pets have been spayed or neutered, they have lower energy requirements and should have their food amount reduced accordingly.

5. Never feed table scraps of any kind. They add calories and will unbalance your pet’s diet.

6. Give dog or cat treats sparingly and incorporate these extra calories into your pet’s total daily allotment. Treats should account for less than ten percent of total calories.

7. With multiple pets, it’s best to supervise feeding times to ensure that each pet is getting the right amount of food.

8. Don’t allow pets into the room where you’re preparing or eating food.

9. Weigh your pet on a regular basis on the same scale.

10. Make sure your dogs and cats get plenty of daily exercise.

11. Feed your pets two or more smaller meals a day instead of one big meal.

12. Make sure each pet has its own food bowl.

13. Never leave food out in unlimited quantities.