Plan should include detailed feeding amounts, including treats and these adjusted to achieve the desired pace of weight loss

Owners need to understand the duration - even if they accomplish the 1% to 2% loss per week aim, it may take several months. 

Your cooperation will significantly increase the likelihood of successful weight loss. You can offer advice and encouragement, remind them why they need to pursue this, and you can assist them when they face setbacks and congratulate them when they achieve progress. It is beneficial to focus on the process rather than the goal, especially if reaching the target weight feels challenging, and to celebrate small victories along the way.

This is important to see whether they are losing weight at the desired rate and to ensure they are not losing weight too fast. Initially, a weigh in (on the same scale) every two weeks is needed since daily allowance adjustments are going to be needed. Once the desired weight loss rate is reached, this can be reduced to every 3 to 4 weeks.  

The veterinary health care team in your clinic is the best place for the pet to be weighed. As you can ensure that it has been properly weighed, but you can talk to them about their progress and offer additional assistance. 

You may not have time to conduct every weighing, or the customers may be unable to visit the clinic scales on a regular basis. You can direct them to the scales if you have them in your reception area. If you don't have any, there may be pet shops in your area that have public scales. 

Weighing from home can be challenging, but if it's a cat or a small dog, you could recommend that they obtain baby scales or pet scales. 

Weighing the food each day is ensures the correct amount is being given. If they feed multiple times a day, they can weigh out the entire day's food in the morning and feed from it throughout the day. Measuring cups are inaccurate because they measure volume rather than weight, and the way the kibble falls affects this. There is no better way to measure food than to weigh it each time. Consider putting a kitchen gram scale in your weight loss programme package. 

Giving treats is an important part of the emotional bond between dog and owner, which is why 83% of owners treat their dog on a regular basis.¹² Owners will be worried about their pet suffering during weight loss and stopping treats may be difficult. If you believe that no matter what they will continue to treat, you can give them tips that do not affect the programme. 

Giving them treats from their daily food allowance is one alternative. Weigh the food in the morning, then take a handful of the kibble for treats throughout the day. This will not work if their chosen diet is wet. 

If unbalanced foods (such as commercial pet treats, chewables, or human foods) are given as treats, it is important to both control the calories provided by them and ensure that they do not imbalance the main diet. A good rule of thumb is to "save" 10% of your daily calorie allowance for treats, while the complete and diet provides at least 90% of the calories. 

Vegetables such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, celery, or asparagus could be used as treats for dogs because of their crunchiness and bulkiness. 

There are low calorie treats available, but they are not zero calorie, therefore feeding amounts will need to be adjusted to accommodate for the treats. 

No food scraps as it is so easy to misjudge the calories. A small cube of cheese or a single bacon rind could contain roughly 100 calories, that is 14% of a 15kg dog's daily calorie intake. 

Treats don't have to be food; fuss and attention will often reward their pet with the pleasure they want. 

Ensure everyone in the household participates in the programme. Each morning, weigh out the entire day's food and only feed from that supply to prevent the chance of double feeding. 

Owners may want to keep the current diet and reduce feeding amounts. They know the pet enjoys it and are concerned about their pet's well-being, so why change the food? Weight loss can be achieved in this manner, but it will require a reduction in the amount fed, which may lead to feelings of hunger. This will significantly reduce the provision of protein, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for their health. Specialist weight-loss diets are high in protein, low in fat, and high in fibre, and are nutrient-fortified. This means lower energy density so that feeding volumes can be maintained, helping fullness, and guaranteeing appropriate nutrition throughout the process.