With obesity linked to diabetes, cancer, and loads of other illnesses in pets, an obese dog or cat can be at great risk. To help understand and combat pet obesity, we have collected the below 25 tips and tricks to help your pets slim down. They include blog entries, expert articles, and even what actual pet owners themselves have done to help combat the obesity epidemic.

Diet Tips and Tricks to Help Your Pets Slim Down

1. Cat Food Nutrition Calculator Based on “The Cornell Book of Cats,” this calculator was developed with the obese cat in mind and any owner looking to reverse or prevent it. Simply type in the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and ash from your pet food to get the calories per 100 grams and ounce per food. Although not meant to diagnose or treat, it can be a great use for owners to know what they are actually feeding their cats.
2. Dog Food Calculator With the other kind of furry friend in mind, the experts at Dog Food Advisor can help you estimate the proper serving size for your pet. Simply enter your dog’s ideal weight, activity level, and food calories per serving to get results. You can also get loads of dog food reviews and other tips for weight loss.
3. The Overweight Pet Because pets don’t sport a waste size like humans, it can be harder to spot an overweight dog or cat. However, with the help of this guide from PetMD, you can learn how to identify and assist your overweight pet. They also discuss the types of “eaters” in pets and how to modify their diets.
4. Counting Calories in Diet Pet Food Tara Parker-Pope often examines health issues for people in her blog for “The New York Times.” However in this entry, she delves into the world of pet food, particularly diet pet food. She writes about a study done on 93 commercial pet foods that included 44 dog foods and 49 cat foods with surprising results.
5. Dog Food Secrets P. Burns of Terrierman’s Daily Dose is a popular blogger and lover of working terriers, dogs, natural history, hunting, and the environment. In this blog post, he examines many of the myths and facts surrounding pet food. The blogger also discusses the Wolf Diet for dogs.
6. Mealtime Tips for Cutting Back The Woof Report brings visitors pet advice, care tips, news , products, and more, with mostly the dog lover in mind. In this entry, they take on simple tips for cutting back on your pet’s food. They include portion control, snacks, veggies, and other tips to keep your pet slim.
7. The Pet Food Report Get a consumer’s guide to pet food here. They feature key content on the ingredients in food, product names and labels, regulation, and even proper nutrition. Visit to get answers on complete and balanced meals and even the difference between dog and cat food.
8. Dog Meal Plan Just like people on a diet, pets can also benefit from a meal planner. Much like a calendar of what to eat, this is a representation of a sample menu for dogs from Posh Nosh. Use the template to substitute your own meal plan for your dog or cat.

Exercise Tips and Tricks to Help Your Pets Slim Down

9. Tips on Exercising Your Pet Although Endsleigh has tons of articles on every kind of subject, this brief one gives tips on how to exercise your pet. There are tips for both dogs and cats. You can also find many related links.
10. Cat Exercise Needs Because cats are different than dogs, check out this entry from Way of Cats Blog. It includes many myths and misconceptions surrounding cat fitness. They also offer many other tips and tricks for pet owners.
11. Winter Health and Safety Tips for the Green Dog If getting outside and active is a problem, stop here. Raise a Green Dog is a blog that shows owners how to have a healthier, happier pup, and environment. They include tips for what to do to get your pets ready for outdoor activity in snow, ice, and more.
12. Walk On! The Staff at Pet Connections includes a pet veterinarian and many other animal lovers. Dr. Becker tells readers why it is so important that dogs get outside and move in this entry. There are also many other useful articles here.
13. g> Weight Management for Dogs Visit here to get the top 21 Dog Walks in Britain. However, those who don’t live in the area can still get valuable tips on why and how to walk your dog. They even offer this section solely for how to do weight management.
14. Go Pro Did you know that many professional dog walkers can also offer exercise services? Using the guide from Dog on Fitness located in Maryland and Virginia, you can check out some of the services they offer. Also a good choice for the DIY owner who isn’t afraid to take pet fitness into their own hands.
15. Jog a Dog This maker of dog fitness products contains an FAQ on many of the issues surrounding pet health. Simply visit to read about what a Jog a Dog is and how to utilize your own treadmill for pet exercise.

Other Tips and Tricks to Help Your Pets Slim Down

16. Pet Weight Loss Erin Paquette is the DC Pet Care Examiner. With a special interest in rescuing strays, she specializes in making pets their best, no matter where they came from. In this blog entry, she shares easy and simple tips for pet weight loss.
17. Pet Weight Loss Teaches How to Avoid Obesity Pawfun is a blog that helps you make the most out of your time together with your pet(s). For this piece, they interview Dr. Grace Long, director of veterinary technical marketing for Purina PetCare, to find out more about how to keep pets at a healthy weight. Questions answered include the right amount of food, picking the right kind, and even which people food to add to diets.
18. Obesity in Cats In recent years, Feline Diabetes Mellitus has become almost a daily diagnosis in animal hospitals all across America. Research reported on by iPawz shows that cats who are obese are more at risk for this and many other diseases. Speculation as to why, as well as what readers can do about it are shared.
19. Successful Weight Loss in Pets Dr. Larry often writes about the Grumpy Old Lady in the blog Scratchings and Sniffings. However, a standout entry is his true story on how pets and people can team up in their weight loss efforts. He also offers many similar stories on the blog.
20. Cat Health Linked to Social Status of Owners Did you know that obese people often own obese animals? Veterinarian Eric Barchas answers questions, tells stories, and gives commentary on this issue and many others in the Vetblog for Dogster. He even gives a related link at the end of the article.
21. Weight Loss in Cats The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is full of tips and tricks to help your pet slim down. With a special download for cats, you can get information on safe weight loss in cats, calculating calories, and advice on how to help your fat cat lose dangerous pounds. Simply click to get it.
22. Weight Loss in Dogs Not to be outdone, the APOP also has a special download for canines. It includes weight loss, calculating calories, exercise tips, and advice on how to shed those pesky pounds off your pooch. Be sure to visit the main site with loads of other tips and tricks.
23. Weight Loss in Older Pets Weight loss in pets isn’t always a good thing. As Dr. Dym explains in his blog for Pet Meds, sudden weight loss in pets can be a sign of a more serious condition. He gives other warning signs and tips for owners in the entry.
24. When Fat and Happy Isn’t The goal of Pet World’s Blog is to take care of your pets with their articles. This one on pet obesity does just that. It examines many of the causes and treatments for obesity.
25. The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood Buttons was a happy puppy until he was diagnosed with cancer. His owner then launched a holistic campaign, which included many diet and fitness tips, and helped the dog live for an additional eleven years. Also a book of the same name, this blog has loads of tips on holistic health for your pet.

Please consult your veterinarian before making any drastic changes to your pet’s diet or exercise plan as shown in the above 25 tips and tricks to help your pets slim down. Only he or she knows your pet’s history and can help choose a responsible weight loss program.

These 45 blogs are well versed in this realm, and most of all, are passionate about animal advocacy. Animal advocates believe that animals have their own rights, just as humans do, and these top 45 blogs have set out to create awareness, reform, and change.

General Information and News Top 7:

1. Animal Rights Blog – Focused on educating the general public on animal rights and protection, Animal Rights Blog is a general forum for anyone to post their thoughts and concerns on animal rights.

2. Abolitionists Aprroach – Animal Rights, the Abolitionist Approach is a blog dedicated to “promoting the abolition of animal exploitation and rejecting the regulation of animal exploitation.” Their mission also regards veganism as the moral baseline of the animal rights position. An informative blog with an extensive book and video collection for any interested in the topic.
3. Geari – Geari, The Group for Education of Animal-Related Issues, is a news-resource blog that is currently trying to create awareness every day. As a research-based site, the ultimate goal of this blog is to encourage people to do more research on the issues related to animal rights.
4. Change – A sector of change.org, Animal Rights is a great blog that has created awareness in the form of petitions. They have an extensive list of petitions in the works (available for all to sign), as well as the option for anyone to create his/her own petition. There is also an extensive “topic” list that ranges from animal abuse to veganism.
5. Animal Rights – The Animal Rights Blog is a collection of various news articles and posts regarding the latest trends on animal rights. From lab testing to the latest animal-rights lawsuits, this site has it covered.
6. Deep Roots Sanctuary – Deep Roots Animal Sanctuary is an animal rights blog that has focused on not only controlling animal abuse, but saving endangered species as well. With an extensive archives list, the blogroll provides an array of topics.
7. Liberal Road – The Liberal Road Blog is a blog that focuses on individual freedom and equality, and has a special section that pertains to animal rights. While this blog has extensively researched many facets on animal rights, this blog mainly focuses on the inhumane testing of animals.

Ethics Top 10:

8. Animal Ethics – Animal Ethics: Philosophical Discussion of the Moral Status of Nonhuman Animals, is an open discussion on animal ethics. Creating and stirring debates, this site has both sides of the argument covered.

9. AnimalRights.org – A blog composed of small blurbs from various animal rights articles. If you’re looking for a quick summary or a snippet of information, this site is worth a visit.
10. Animal Rights Collective – Animal Rights Corrective Blog seeks to educate and encourage people to act by giving them by the truth about the atrocities committed against animals. While it covers all realms of animal abuse, there is ample information on how society force animals to suffer for their unnecessary consumption and grotesque forms of entertainment.
11. Change – Another sect of change.org, Animals is an equally advocating site for animal rights. This particular source has more news articles and up to date information regarding various petitions.
12. Animal Rights Movement – The goal of this page is to educate those that are unaware of the cruelties performed on animals in the areas of food, entertainment, science, and clothing. While they are not trying to pronounce meat-eaters (and the like) as evil-doers, they are just trying to create awareness for the matter.
13. Way of Cats – Way of Cats: Stopping Animal Cruelty Through Political Action is a cat-niche blog that uses politics as a segway to gain press and exposure to animal cruelty. While cats may not be the most common animals that are abused, these cat lovers are out to save any and every kind of animal possible.
14. Veg Blog – The Veg Blog is a of a former meat-lover turned vegetarian turned vegan. This Virginia man explains his food choices, the background on animal meats, and why more people should go vegan.
15. The Business Ethics Blog – A Business Ethics blogger, Lauren Bloom writes about the ethics of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. While circuses have had a reputation for the unethical treatment of animals, Bloom has studied how the craft of entertainment still seems to triumph over rescuing the animals.
16. Food Ethics – Chris MacDonald’s food ethics blog is about following food from the farm to the table, making sure that ethics have been considered each step of the way. A well written blog that maintains topics from organic agriculture, to ethical food consumerism.
17. Esteban Rivas – Esteban Rivas is a psychologist and philosopher from the Netherlands, who gives his expert opinion on animal ethics who has worked in science and with animals. With a background in animal cognition and animal consciousness, this professor knows his stuff when it comes to animal ethics.

Location Top 5:

18. Animal Rights Cambridge – This Animal Rights blog , Animal Rights Cambridge is based out of Cambridge and is the longest standing animal rights group in the UK. This group address any and all animal rights issues, starting locally and working towards going globally.

19. Montreal Dog Blog – Montreal’s Dog Blog started as a dog blog, but has expanded into the issues regarding animal rights. Creator Nat Lauzon is passionate about enforcing animal cruelty laws, and has done a great job of connecting Montreal animal rights activists. Find informative, daily articles written by a passionate and dedicated team of bloggers, many who work in animal rescue themselves.
20. Animal Rights Florida – Based out of Florida, Animal Rights Florida is maintained by the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. It serves as a forum for connecting Floridians who care about animal protection, while providing local news and information regularly.
21. Animal Interrupted – Animal interrupted is a well-groomed blog with many updates on current animal-activist material items. With a heavy emphasis on veganism, this blog brings you the latest and greatest in all things vegan.
22. Animal Rights Korea – Korea Animal Rights Activists is a group of people living in Korea who believe that animals should be respected as sentient beings. They believe that animals have as much right as humans have to live on this planet, without suffering and tyranny. KARA is involved with various protests and encourages any animal-lover to get involved.

Animal Rights Law Top 6:

23. Florida Animal Law – Florida Animal Law specifically follows animal rights laws in Florida. While they cover national issues and current events, this particular site is pinpointed to Florida specifics.

24. AG and Food Law – This blog is a great resource for learning everything that has to do with animal rights legislation. As part of the American Agriculture Law Association, this blog focuses closely on agricultural issues.
25. Pet Law Blog – This blogger is an attorney and animal lover (not necessarily in that order). The author, Heidi, practices companion animal law, and hopes to educate anyone out there about animal law. Even if you are not interested in practicing animal law, it is worth a look to see some interesting animal rights cases.
26. Animal Earth Human – Animal Earth Human’s goal is to help Humans see animals in society. Based out of Lebanon, this site stands up for its beliefs and hopes and offers a political points of view as well.
27. Farm Policy – Farm Policy does not solely focus on animal rights legislation, but it has a heavy emphasis on agricultural laws that pertain to animal rights. This is a high-tech blog with many updates that will keep any interested party in the loop.
28. FDA Law – The FDA Law Blog summarizes the US Food and Drug Administration’s latest progress and setbacks) for animal rights. This blog is written by two attorneys who work for the largest US firm dedicated food and drug law.

Cruelty Top 6:

29. Stop Animal Abuse – Stop Animal Abuse is a blog that features recent articles and events involving animal abuse. While this is not an upbeat blog for animal lovers, it is an unfortunate necessary blog to convey the atrocities involving animal abuse.

30. Animals Need Help – Animals Need Help is a blog that encourages the adoption and ethical treatment of formerly abused animals. Although every animal cannot be saved, this blog provides many available ways to help out or adopt animals.
31. PETCO Scoop – PETCO Scoop, of PETCO, has a special section that is dedicated to keeping animals (mainly pets) safe and free of harm. This blog’s section is dedicated to creating awareness and encouraging all loving pet-owners to do their duty to prevent animal cruelty.
32. Taking on Animal Cruelty – Taking on Animal Cruelty is a blog that has set out to stop the silence of animal cruelty. While many choose to ignore this awful occurrence, this blog would like to create awareness that will lead to the prevention of animal cruelty.
33. Romina Chirre – Romina Chirre’s blog is based around animal cruelty, but specifically takes a deeper look into fur farms, animal trapping, hunting and animal testing.
34. Voice Against Cruelty – Spread Your Voice Against Animal Cruelty is a blog that uses celebrity faces and voices in order to create awareness. They have found specific celebrities, like Leona Lewis, to act as a spokeswoman to gain awareness.

PETA Top 6:

35. PETA – The PETA Files is an informative source for daily information about PETA’s various campaigns, their breaking news about victories, and their new initiatives to help animals, and animal rights across the globe. Updated often, this site is your go-to source for anything current.

36. PETA2 – Peta2 is a PETA inspired blog, following PETA’s latest initiatives. Peta2 has a “College” section that primarily focuses on ways for students to get involved in animal rights projects. Because college students are generally more inclined to become active in protests and “movements,” Peta2 has done a great job soliciting to the right crowds.
37. PETA Asia Pacific – PETA Asia-Pacific, Hot and Sour Scoop, is PETA’s blog based out of Asia. Representing the same issues as all PETA groups worldwide, this group acts locally and thinks globally.
38. PETA UK
– PETA UK is a great resource for all things PETA, but shines with their section entitled “Animals, not ours to…” This section has a new feature for each update from anything to “eat,” “wear,” and “use for entertainment.”
39. Farm USA – Farm USA’s Farm Blog is PETA-focused, and has specific section dedicated to farm animal abuse and prevention. Updated frequently, this blog is an excellent resource for all things farm-animal related.
40. Animal Welfare Approved – Animal Welfare Approved is a blog is divided into sections for Farmers, consumers, and standards; so that the average person may see the process of an animal’s life on the farm from start to finish.

Animal Testing Top 5:

41. Science – This Science Blog has an interesting take on animal tasting’s pros and cons. While animal advocates are against cruel testing on animals, this article shows the end results of testing (for animals and the human’s benefit).
42. Science Digestive – Dean Burnett’s blog, Science Digestive, gives a neuroscientist’s view on animal testing. A supporter of animal testing, he defends his views and supportive reasons for doing so. Whether or not you agree with animal testing, this blog is worth a visit for the scientific facts.
43. Tim Ginn – Tim Ginn’s post on animal testing gives a great list of household and everyday items that perform animal testing. From toothpaste to deodorant, you will be unpleasantly surprised at the animal-tested items you’re using.
44. Liberation BC – Liberation Blog BC shares a well-written post on the history of animal testing for scientific purposes. The ADAV (The Animeal Defense and Antivivsectionsection) Society is over 100 years old and is based out of Vancouver. Check out this blog for some informative pieces.
45. Paramer – Parhamer’s Blog is dedicated to the discussion of animal testing’s positive results for human beings. While there is a hearty section on the inhumane tests for cosmetic purposes, Parhamer does a nice job convincing the reader that there are positive effects to animal testing for humans.

BONUS! 5 Great Reads for the Animal Advocate:

1. Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White. Charlotte’s Web is a great children’s book that still strikes a cord with adults. It is animal advocacy at its finest, as the young Fern convinces her father to spare the life of a young pig. From here there is a beautiful story about animals, love, and human-animal coexistence.

2. Thanking the Monkey; Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals, by Karen Dawn.
   A brilliant, well-researched book regarding all animal rights issues (testing, eating, entertainment, etc.). Dawn manages to write about a controversial topic with a sense of humor.
3. Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism, by Melanie Joy. This book gives you s psychologist’s point of view of the human’s response to loving some animals, eating some animals, and wearing some animals. Joy provides the reader with many questions as to why humans separate animals into categorical uses.
4. Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer. A newcomer to the realm of animal advocacy, Foer explores the ins and outs of current animal welfare. From personal anecdotes to his recent research, Foer does a good job exploring the topic of using animals for food.
5. Irreconcilable Differences, by Nathan J. Winograd. This book has a different take on animal advocacy, as it is about euthanizing pets in animal shelters across the country. The book addresses the issues of euthanization for unadopted pets, and the struggle to change these practices.

Blogs About Zoo Reform

1. The Zoo Evaluator : This is the one-stop shop for zoo reform information that will get you thinking seriously about the changes that need to be made for the sake of the animals.

2. Born Free : An inspiring site that shows there is progress being made in the world of zoo reform, even if it is happening slowly. This site examines how to reform zoos while keeping the image of the conventional zoo up for the public.
3. AL Vic Zoo Watch : This blog is on zoo watch to make sure zoos are keeping up their ends of the bargain. The organization continues to protest and work towards zoo reform worldwide.
4. Help Elephants : This site is devoted to helping elephants in need at zoos, circus and other performance places where animals are commonly mistreated. It also discusses the common issues with elephants, primarily at the LA zoo.
5. 11 Tigers Starved to Death in Sheyang Zoo : If you think situations like this occur only in China, you’re sadly mistaken. Learn about an incident in 2010 that is part of an ongoing investigation of this zoo.
6. LA Times – Zoo Reform Plan Includes Ape Exhibit : This article dated 1995 shows just how long the battle for zoo reform has been going on. It discusses the money spent on certain projects and how effective the plan will be.
7. San Francisco Zoo Incident Rekindles Zoo Reform : The zoo has been criticized for poor management for several years and the recent antics that have gone on are just one reason zoo reform is needed now.
8. San Francisco Zoo Tiger Attacks Released : A look at what happens when a zoo isn’t properly managed. Not only are animals put in danger, but so is the public, which can have deadly results.
9. Zoo Welfare Reform New Zealand : Here’s a list of the practical laws being put in place in New Zealand to improve zoo conditions. It involves budget and ethics reform.
10. Rescue San Francisco Zoo : The ongoing problems at the San Francisco zoo are well-know, which is why this website was formed to get the public informed and involved in the debate on what to do in order to improve the grounds and conditions for animals.
11. Zoo Deaths Likely Caused Negligence : More insight on zoos thar are over budget, yet not properly training (or screening) employees to care for the exotic animals they work with on a daily basis. It’s no wonder so many animals are unnecessarily dying.

12. The Reality of Zoos : Zoos are no longer the happy place you remember from your childhood. They’re now rundown and seldom properly funded by the city, resulting in poor living conditions for the animals. Learn more about the standard zoo today at this site.
13. Zoo Check Canada : This is an organized site that’s easy to navigate and proves that zoo reform can be accomplished with ambition and people continuously supporting the cause.

Blogs and Articles on the Laws of Zoo Reform

14. National Post – Zoo Industry Needs Reform : This is a fantastic article that explains why zoo reform is taking so long to happen. It’s all about the all mighty dollar and changing the image of animals for the public.

15. Care 2 – Zoo Reform: Check out this blog for brilliant articles on zoo reform. It most recently covered zoo reform at the San Francisco zoo.
16. Animal Resources : What transgenic animal progress is being made at a major cancer center in America? Read all about here and find out why the practice is beneficial for research of many diseases.
17. Voice for Animals : This Canadian site is devoted to helping animals around the world. Check the right hand column for recent updates on zoo reform.
18. Kids Save Lucy : Lucy is a female elephant being held in a very small space at the Edmonton zoo. Despite several setbacks, Lucy’s supporters continue to fight the system to have her released.
19. International Primate Protection League : The IPPL is one of the most successful not for profit agencies that has made serious reform in the lives of zoo animals. They are setting the standard for how modern zoos should operate.
20. Born Free USA : The USA branch of this organization is making major headway for rescuing animals from various zoos that aren’t fit to keep them. There are many petitions and tips for those wanting to get involved in zoo reform.
21. Friends of Captive Animals : This blog takes on a more radical approach to zoo reform and discusses why many exotic animals are not fit to be trained to live in captivity. It is packed with information on what animals endure and what researches say they need to survive.

22. Keep It Wild : This Canadian site aims to educate children about wildlife and their needs, so they don’t see them for entertainment purposes. The site is a great example for programs that can be implemented to educate our kids in a way that will make them compassionate.
23. In Defense of Animals : At this blog you’ll get the most up-to-date information on zoo reform and animal protection. It’s always on top of the latest animal preservation news and updates often.
24. Animal Education : This site is aimed at education elementary-aged school children to show them what animals need and are accustomed to in their natural habitats. A great resource for teachers and educators.