Approaching the Difficult Topic of Pet Obesity

Amanda Landis-Hanna, DVM, senior manager of veterinary outreach for PetSmart Charities, gives some tips for how to strike up a difficult conversation about pet obesity with clients.

First, Dr. Landis-Hanna says don't dance around the subject. It's better to have a compassionate, forthright conversation while discussing some of the difficulties that client may be facing. Also, try to talk to your client about the human-animal bond and how that can be enhanced by dealing with their pet's obesity.

Providing clients with helpful hints and small, manageable pieces of information will help make this conversation go much more smoothly.