Obesity is one of the most common health issues seen in companion animals today — and one of the most challenging to manage. It affects not only physical health but also the overall quality of life of our patients.

To help veterinary professionals feel confident in tackling this growing issue, The Webinar Vet — in partnership with Mars Petcare — has created a Nutrition for Obesity Course packed with expert insight and practical advice.

Across four in-depth webinars, leading specialists explore how to identify, discuss, and manage obesity in pets, while providing guidance on supporting owners throughout their pet’s weight loss journey.

🐾 1. Causes and Consequences of Obesity

Speaker: Professor Alex German

The course begins with an essential overview of what obesity really means for pets. Professor Alex German delves into the causes and consequences of excessive adiposity in dogs and cats, exploring how even small weight increases can significantly impact health.

He highlights how obesity predisposes pets to conditions such as diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, and cardiorespiratory disease, and explains why understanding the underlying biology is key to effective prevention and management.

🐶 2. Management of Obesity

Speaker: Professor Alex German

Building on his first session, Professor German turns theory into practice. This webinar covers the current best practices for obesity management in both dogs and cats. From balancing energy intake and expenditure to monitoring progress and adjusting plans, it provides a clear framework for successful weight control programs in general practice.

Veterinary teams will come away with a deeper understanding of how to develop and maintain realistic, evidence-based weight management protocols.

About the speaker:

Professor Alex German is the Royal Canin Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool, with a PhD from the University of Bristol. His research focuses on small animal gastroenterology and obesity biology, making him one of the UK’s foremost authorities on the subject.

🗣️ 3. Initiation of Obesity Care: Key Communication Tools for Success

Speaker: Georgia Woods-Lee

Obesity can be a sensitive topic for pet owners, and communication is often the biggest hurdle. In this insightful session, Georgia Woods-Lee shares practical strategies to help veterinary teams initiate open, non-judgemental conversations with clients.

Learn how to discuss obesity with empathy, identify the right time to bring up the topic, and provide effective referrals to the appropriate team members for continued support. Georgia’s guidance ensures that discussions around weight become more constructive — and less uncomfortable — for everyone involved.

🐕 4. Challenging Cases of Obesity and How to Turn Failure into Success

Speaker: Georgia Woods-Lee

Even with the best intentions, some obesity cases don’t go according to plan. This final session explores how to manage complex and resistant weight loss cases, troubleshoot common obstacles, and maintain motivation for both the client and the clinical team.

Georgia draws on her extensive experience in companion animal nutrition to demonstrate how persistence, creativity, and compassion can transform setbacks into success stories.

About the speaker:

Georgia Woods-Lee is a respected Clinical Animal Nutritionist, known for her expertise in obesity management and weight loss programs in small animals. Her sessions combine deep clinical understanding with practical communication and behavioural insights.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to identify, discuss, and manage obesity in pets, as well as the confidence to support owners through every step of the process.

This RACE-approved course is available for £119.99 (including VAT) — or can be accessed through Unlimited Membership for even greater value.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSE HERE.

With thanks to Mars Petcare.