With over 61% of cats classified as overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, the battle against feline obesity is one veterinary professionals face every day.

 For many cat owners, simply being told to “feed less and exercise more” feels overwhelming and impractical. Frustrated clients report cats begging for food, stealing food, and refusing to move. Instead of just saying feed less and exercise more, we need to offer practical weight loss tips like these.

Feed measured regular meals instead of free feeding

Dry kibble popularized the unhealthy habit of free feeding, making it harder to detect illness, train cats, or manage weight. People do not free feed dogs or themselves, yet they do so with their cats who are often more sedentary than dogs and people. If humans ate at an all- you-can-eat buffet every day while living a sedentary life, we, too, would be overweight or obese.

Cats can eat all day not out of hunger but out of boredom. The phenomenon of mindless eating when one is not actually hungry does not have an English term, but in Japanese, it is called kuchisabishii, literally translating to lonely mouth.

 Veterinary teams need to remind cat owners that just because their cats are begging does not mean they are truly hungry.

If cat owners are not home to feed regular meals instead of free feeding, invest in timed meal feeders. Technology has come a long way, and now there are meal feeders that can be programed for multiple cats on different diets. Also, meal feeders are not just for dry food – wet food feeders with artificial intelligence and pet cameras have been invented.

Many cats are on a diet of exclusively kibble often high in carbohydrates and low in moisture content. A practical way to help cats lose weight is to feed at least 50% canned or fresh food higher in protein and water content. Many prescription weight loss food options also exist. We need to move away from giving treats just for fun. Instead, give them as rewards for special occasions like nail trims, carrier training, and veterinary visits.

Feather toys and interactive cat ball toys are just some examples of the toys invented for cats, leaning into their natural prey drive. Playing with cats is fun and practical, increasing activity ,and improving the human-animal bond.

Puzzle feeders, also known as food puzzles, encourage cats to be more active and to use problem-solving or hunting skills.

 They also help slow down eating and prevent “scarfing and barfing”. Originally marketed for dogs and for treats, puzzle feeders can be used for both cat kibble and wet/fresh food. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some stationery, some rolling, and can even be homemade.

Another way to make cats work for their food is to toss their kibbles. There are cats that are willing to run for food. Use a cat exercise wheel, like a hamster wheel for indoor running. Some cats require training, and others take to them quickly (pun intended). 

It takes training and a curious, non-fearful personality for cats to walk on leashes, but it is safer than having cats roam outside unattended and protects birds from being caught. Adventure cats are becoming more and more popular around the world. For more information, check out the book 

2022 Pet Obesity US Prevalence Survey. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Accessed April 24, 2025. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/2022

Sismondo C. Are you actually hungry — or do you just have a “lonely mouth”?. Toronto Star. Published December 17, 2023. Accessed April 24, 2025. 

https://www.thestar.com/life/are-you-actually-hungry-or-do-you-just-have-a-lonely-mouth/article_b4f35002-9b74-11ee-93d9-fbefb9155b7a.html

Dantas LM, Delgado MM, Johnson I, Buffington CT. Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. J Feline Med Surg. 2016;18(9):723-732. doi:10.1177/1098612X16643753

Do you know a feline veterinarian who goes above and beyond for pets, clients, and the veterinary team? Nominate them for dvm360's 2025 Veterinary Heroes® Awards! These awards honor veterinary professionals, including those specializing in felines, who makes a meaningful impact on patient outcomes through exceptional communication, compassion, and dedication. Submit your nomination

Articles

With these practical tips for cat weight loss, we can empower clients to help their cats have normal body condition, while maintaining if not improving the human animal bond

Practical weight loss in cats 

Synchrony, a consumer financial services company, has announced its CareCredit health and wellness credit card was named the preferred financing partner for the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Through this collaboration, CareCredit is now available in all of the public veterinary university hospitals in the United States.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward in making veterinary care more accessible and affordable for both pet owners and the veterinary profession. CareCredit recognizes that these teaching hospitals are leading the way in advancing veterinary medicine and delivering cutting-edge care nationwide,” said Jonathan Wainberg, senior vice president and general manager, pet, Synchrony, exclusively to 

“By ensuring CareCredit is accepted at all 29 public veterinary university hospitals, we are reinforcing our deep, long-term commitment to supporting the veterinary field through every stage of the care journey, including at the academic and specialty level. This commitment extends to providing veterinary professionals with the tools they need to continue their progress and expand access to care for more pet owners,” he continued.

Through this new collaboration with Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, CareCredit can help extend the availability of the hospital, as it is one of the largest veterinary referral networks in the country with a vast variety of animal populations that it can service.

 Now CareCredit now will offer clients access to financing options both short and long term, helping them find the best fit for their budget.

"For years, we've recognized that pet owners value flexible financial options to help ensure their companions receive the care veterinarians recommend. Through this collaboration, we are proud to offer a solution that supports both optimal patient outcomes and financial peace of mind," said Stacy Eckman, DVM, associate dean for hospital operations and CEO at Texas A&M's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, in an organizational release.

 "This relationship will reinforce our commitment to delivering high-quality veterinary care while addressing financial barriers."

For clients attending one of the 29 schools with CareCredit, they can prequalify for a CareCredit credit card in real time with no impact on their credit score. Interested pet parents can apply on a smart device at the provide location or over the phone, with a decision typically provided in seconds. Once approved, clients can then use their account to pay for care immediately.

“Veterinary teaching hospitals play a critical role in increasing the accessibility of care by educating future veterinarians on the importance of discussing financial options with clients and providing them with practical tools like CareCredit. These hospitals offer a unique environment where students can learn how to navigate sensitive financial conversations, present various payment solutions, and ultimately ensure that more pet owners can access the care their animals need. Our commitment is to partner with these institutions to further integrate financial literacy into the curriculum and empower the next generation to confidently address client concerns,” concluded Wainberg.

Synchrony's CareCredit Offered at 100% of Public Veterinary University Hospitals Nationwide, Expanding Access to Pet Care. News release. April 24, 2025. Accessed April 24, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/synchronys-carecredit-offered-at-100-of-public-veterinary-university-hospitals-nationwide-expanding-access-to-pet-care-302436448.html

All 29 public veterinary hospitals across the United States are accepting CareCredt from clients 

All public veterinary university hospitals now offering CareCredit 

Jill Clark, DVM, discusses her passion for elevating the role of veterinary receptionists (CSRs) through evidence based education with host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA

The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360: It's time for evidence-based continuing education for CSRs

Happy National Veterinary Receptionist Week! For this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomes Jill Clark, DVM, founder and chief visionary officer, IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, to discuss why there should be a bigger push to have client service representative (CSR) continuing education out there available. Throughout the episode, Clark and Christman discuss the successful CSR track at last year's Fetch Kansas City conference, the establishment of the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists (NAAVR), and the importance of evidence-based education for CSRs. 

: What is your ultimate end goal for CSR continuing education?

World domination for CSRs. Small goal, but really, I just want to normalize it. NAAVR is really, is intended to be an organization that is created—and it's been created by us—but be turned over to CSRs as promptly as we possibly can. I want to make sure that it is owned, run, managed by CSRs in the next 24 months, if not sooner. And we've already created a President's Advisory Council that's working towards that, and that primary goal is to make sure that CSR in continuing education is normalized. 

So Fetch, so what you guys are doing is awesome, because you're saying, "Yeah, we're going to offer tracks for these folks wherever we're going to meet them where they are, and have it like we will have it for anyone else." And so if we can continue to have that become the norm in veterinary medicine, then I think we're going to see this role move from answering phones and picking up poop in the lobby, to being the gurus of client experience, managing that entire thing from marketing and what we do out on the internet all the way through to the client getting a call back at the end and rebooking and many other, many other things that they're absolutely capable of that our practice managers who are fighting fires aren't necessarily, they just don't have the bandwidth for. So let's elevate this role and make it something it's never been before, and we're going to do that through continuing education basically.

Podcasts

Jill Clark, DVM, returns to the Vet Blast Podcast to discuss client service representative education and why it is needed

It's time for evidence-based continuing education for CSRs

Despite the surge in pet ownership in the US, 

access to veterinary care remains a challenge

. To address this issue, many veterinary practices are opening more clinics across the country. Additionally, some hospitals and pet care organizations are also beginning to offer free services to some clients, as well as more flexible payment options.

Below are new veterinary facility openings, and more:

Artista Advanced Pet Care Specialty and Emergency Hospital (Atlanta, Georgia)

Artista Atlanta veterinary team. (Image courtesy of Arista Advanced Pet Care)

Arista Advanced Pet Care recently celebrated the grand opening of its first specialty referral and emergency veterinary hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Services the Arista Atlanta facility offers include internal medicine, surgery, oncology, emergency and critical care, and radioactive iodine therapy (I-131).

According to Arista, the organization follows a veterinarian-led model that supports a sustainable and collaborative approach to pet healthcare. “The future of veterinary medicine is deeply tied to patient-centric care, innovation, and the well-being of the professionals who dedicate their lives to it,” Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO, president of Arista, said in a company release.

 “Arista is setting a new precedent—one where specialists have the autonomy, support, and infrastructure to provide unparalleled care while shaping the future of the profession.

Resting Rainbow of Orlando (Orlando, Florida)

An independently owned pet cremation and funeral home facility, Resting Rainbow of Orlando, recently opened in Florida. The facility, owned by Luis and Meylen Trujillo, offers services to walk-in and call-in customers, as well as to veterinary clinics and animal hospitals wanting to support their clients during a time of loss. Resting Rainbow also offers pet removal and delivery services, as well as memorial items like urns, jewelry, and other keepsakes. For law enforcement agencies in the community with K-9 officers who have passed away, Resting Rainbow is offering services free of charge.

"One of our primary goals was to establish a pet cremation process that is responsible, sustainable and transparent", said Luis Trujillo in a news release.

 "We were able to accomplish this goal by collaborating and partnering with Joseph Castranova, CEO of Resting Rainbow Franchise Corporation, who helped us source the proper equipment and to establish a transparent cremation process that is trackable from the moment of pet reception, to the moment pet remains are handed to our customers. Our equipment is a state-of-the-art multi-chamber pet cremation incinerator that is environmentally friendly and appealing. We welcome pet families to consider our private viewing and witness cremation services, an experience that will give them the opportunity to see the process being carried out for their beloved pet from an intimate setting inside our memorial room."

Lovet Pet Health Care (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Lovet Pet Health Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Image courtesy of Lovet Pet Health Care)

Lovet Pet Healthcare recently announced the opening of its first hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As part of its efforts in making veterinary care more accessible to pet owners, the hospital is making the first exam for new clients free of cost. In its mission to address the growing gap in access to pet care, Lovet is also providing cost-saving care packages, same-day appointments for urgent care needs, and flexible payment options that include interest-free options, same-day financing, and more. The facility also partnered with a global architecture and design firm to employ a hospital design that minimizes stress for patients and create a better experience for clients and staff. 

“Grand Rapids has a strong, pet-loving community, and we're here to make high-quality vet care more convenient and affordable than ever," said Courtney Gruber, president of Lovet Pet Health Care, in an organizational release.

 "At Lovet, we're doing veterinary care differently—because we believe pet parents deserve less stress and more peace of mind when it comes to their pet's health. From urgent and primary care to dental and surgical services, we offer comprehensive care under one roof. And with flexible payment options and thoughtfully designed spaces, everything we do is built around making vet care easier to access.”

Think your hospital has an award-winning design? Submit to the 2025 Hospital Design360® Competition by May 31! Winners will receive national recognition in the dvm360® magazine, a Hospital Design Award, and free admission to a 2025 Fetch Conference. Categories include over 8,000 sq. ft., 3,500–8,000 sq. ft., and under 3,500 sq. ft. Enter 

Arista Advanced Pet Care opens first specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. News release. Arista Advanced Pet Care. April 21, 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250421388893/en/Arista-Advanced-Pet-Care-Opens-Their-First-Specialty-and-Emergency-Hospital-in-Atlanta-Georgia

Long time residents of Winter Garden open Resting Rainbow of Orlando - a state-of-the-art pet cremation and pet funeral home facility that provides compassionate, dignified, and transparent afterlife care for pet families. News release. Resting Rainbow of Orlando. April 22, 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/long-time-residents-of-winter-garden-open-resting-rainbow-of-orlando-a-state-of-the-art-pet-cremation-and-pet-funeral-home-facility-that-provides-compassionate-dignified-and-transparent-afterlife-care-for-pet-families-830658783.html

Lovet Pet Health Care launches in Michigan to expand access as new survey reveals cost barriers for pet parents. News release. Lovet Pet Health Care. April 18, 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lovet-pet-health-care-launches-in-michigan-to-expand-access-as-new-survey-reveals-cost-barriers-for-pet-parents-302432202.html

The latest updates relating to animal care establishments

Clinic center: New pet care facilities offering free services, and more

Veterinary practices rely on effective management to ensure smooth operations, deliver high-quality care, and provide exceptional client service. As the demand for skilled leadership in administrative and operational roles continues to grow, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) has introduced the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM) certification. This new certification aims to recognize and elevate the vital contributions of those overseeing key clerical and administrative functions within veterinary practices.

The CVOM certification joins VHMA's established Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification as part of the association's valuable career development offerings for veterinary management professionals at all stages of their careers. While the CVPM is intended for those with more advanced experience and responsibilities in veterinary practice management, the CVOM certification is designed for emerging leaders in the field.

The role of the CVOM in veterinary practice

In veterinary practices, leadership extends across all facets of operation. The CVOM is designed for those specializing in clerical and administrative functions such as managing schedules, handling client inquiries, maintaining records, implementing hospital policies, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Professionals with the CVOM can help practices become more efficient and effective by enhancing client satisfaction and reducing administrative bottlenecks, ultimately allowing the veterinary team to devote more time and energy to patient care.

By offering the CVOM certification, VHMA provides a pathway for managers to gain formal recognition for their experience and knowledge while fostering further professional growth.

The qualifications for the CVOM certification are:

1 year of management experience in select management duties.

2 letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the candidate's management skills.

Candidates complete an application to qualify for the certification examination. Upon qualification and passing the examination, the CVOM certification is valid for 2 years. To recertify, certified professionals must complete 18 hours of continuing education and pay a renewal fee. This recertification process helps certified individuals stay updated on industry developments and best practices.

The CVOM certification offers a variety of benefits to both individual professionals and the veterinary practices they serve.

For management professionals, the CVOM formally recognizes their management experience and knowledge base. The CVOM certification can open doors to new career opportunities by helping to distinguish professionals in a competitive job market. Additionally, the certification may lead to higher job satisfaction and better compensation, as practices value the leadership and management skills it represents.

Upon certification, professionals join a national network of veterinary managers, offering ample opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and knowledge exchange. This network provides a platform for peer support, advice, and shares best practices within veterinary management.

For veterinary practices, certification can boost employees’ confidence and job satisfaction by enhancing their abilities and offering professional development opportunities, leading to a more motivated, productive workforce and reduced turnover rates.

Both the CVOM and CVPM certifications highlight leadership and management expertise but serve managers with different experience, responsibilities, and expertise. The CVOM is designed for managers focused on clerical tasks and day-to-day operations, while the CVPM caters to a more experienced professional with an advanced knowledge base and more strategic responsibilities.

CVPM requires more extensive experience and education, including:

3 years of practice management experience in select management duties

18 college/university semester hours in management-related courses

48 hours of management-focused continuing education

This advanced certification reflects the broader responsibilities of overseeing an entire practice, including managing financial operations and staff and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. CVPM certification is intended for those with a comprehensive understanding of veterinary practice management and leadership.

To illustrate the difference, consider the distinction between a veterinary assistant and a credentialed veterinary technician. The CVOM is tailored for those focusing on clerical tasks, while the CVPM is aimed at individuals with a more expansive skill set and advanced experience in managing all aspects of a veterinary practice.

Career development in veterinary practices

As veterinary practices face an ever-evolving landscape, leadership at all levels is essential. The introduction of the CVOM reflects the growing recognition that effective management is crucial throughout the entire practice. Strong leadership helps navigate challenges and fosters a positive work environment where the team and patients thrive, ensuring better overall outcomes for everyone involved.

By offering the CVOM and CVPM certifications, VHMA provides a structured, accessible path for leaders and managers to be recognized for their experience, knowledge, and skills.

What’s the Difference? Veterinary Hospital Manager Assocation. Published 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.vhma.org/certificatesandcertification/officemanagervspracticemanager

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association recently introduced a new certification, the Certified Veterinary Office Manager 

A new certification for advancing leadership in veterinary practices

The BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is now offering the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure for its patients. TEER is a minimally invasive beating-heart intervention for treating severe mitral regurgitation, a backward flow of blood into the atrium linked to chronic valvular disease. This new addition to its services makes BluePearl Tampa the eighth hospital in the United States to offer the procedure.

“I am incredibly proud of our cardiology team in Tampa...who have undergone specialized training to be one of few pet hospitals in the United States that are able to offer the TEER procedure to pets,” Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), chief medical officer at BluePearl Pet Hospital, said in an organizational release.

“Our dedicated team continues to push the bounds of medical excellence, finding ways to bring industry-leading care to communities to positively impact the lives of pets.”

In dogs, chronic valvular disease is one of the most common causes of heart disease, accounting for approximately 75% of all heart disease in these animals.

Small dog breeds, such as those weighing less than 40 lb, as well as dogs older than 5 years, are at higher risk of developing the disease. Breeds including miniature poodles, cocker spaniels, miniature schnauzers, dachshunds, small terrier breeds, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are also more predisposed to getting chronic valvular disease.

 Unlike other breeds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels may develop the disease as young as 2 to 3 years of age.

Also known as chronic degenerative valve disease, endocardiosis, valvular regurgitation, valvular insufficiency, or myxomatous degeneration of the valve, the disease involves the degeneration of the heart valves between the atrium and ventricle on the tricuspid and mitral valve, with the mitral valve usually being primarily affected. Changes in the valves’ appearances and supporting structures due to degeneration cause improper closure of the atrium and ventricle, resulting in regurgitation, or leakage.

During the TEER procedure, a 2- to 3-in incision is made in the chest wall of a dog under general anesthesia.

 Using a ventricular catheter, a device to connect the edges of the mitral valve is then placed, substantially decreasing or eliminating leakage. Patients in recovery follow up to 6 weeks of restricted activity, and follow-up appointments are scheduled up to 1 year after the procedure. “TEER can improve quality of life for pets that receive the procedure and can extend lifespans,” BluePearl stated in a news release.

In contrast to open-heart surgery and other traditional treatments, the TEER procedure is more cost-efficient and less invasive. According to BluePearl, the procedure has a success rate of 95% in animal patients.

 In humans, the procedure has been performed in more than 150,000 patients worldwide as of 2023.

“The [TEER] procedure is a game changer, offering pet owners a minimally invasive alternative to complex treatments such as open-heart surgery,” Bradley Harris, DVM, DACVECC, cardiologist at BluePearl Tampa, said in a news release.

“TEER can improve the quality of life for pets with heart disease and extend their lifespans. We’re proud to be the eighth pet hospital in the country to offer this industry-leading procedure and look forward to positively impacting the lives of pets in our community and beyond.”

BluePearl to provide cutting edge heart intervention procedure for pets. News release. BluePearl Pet Hospital. April 23, 2025.

Weir M, Gordon SG. Chronic degenerative valve disease in dogs: in depth. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chronic-degenerative-valve-disease-in-dogs-in-depth#:~:text=Chronic%20degenerative%20valve%20disease%20represents,all%20heart%20disease%20in%20dogs

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER). University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. July 3, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/2023/07/03/transcatheter-edge-to-edge-mitral-valve-repair-teer/

Raman J, Narang A, Appadurai V, Puthumana JJ. The increasing use of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in complex and high-risk patients. 

The transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for mitral regurgitation.