# Pet Slimmers — ROYAL CANIN® Weight Management Clinic

> Referral weight management clinic for overweight cats and dogs at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital. The service is free of charge for enrolled pets.

## Clinic

- [About the Clinic](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic.aspx): Overview of Europe's first referral clinic for companion animal obesity, opened in November 2004 at the University of Liverpool.
- [How We Work](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/how-we-work.aspx): The clinic process: health assessment, body composition analysis, tailored diet plan and regular weigh-ins.
- [How to Refer](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/how-to-refer.aspx): Referral steps for pet owners and veterinary surgeons; the first contact is always the pet's own vet.
- [DEXA Scanning](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/dexa.aspx): How DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) precisely measures a pet's body fat and lean tissue; scans take 4–8 minutes under reversible sedation.
- [Advisory Service](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/advisory-service.aspx): Guidance for veterinary professionals managing canine and feline obesity cases in practice.
- [FAQs](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/faqs.aspx): Answers on costs (free of charge, first bag of diet food included), sedation, scan duration and ongoing diet support.
- [Meet the Team](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/meet-the-team.aspx): The clinic team at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital.
- [Dr. Alex German](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/meet-the-team/alex-german.aspx): Profile of Dr. Alex German BVSc PhD, ROYAL CANIN® Reader in Small Animal Medicine and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Internal Medicine.
- [Georgia Woods](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/meet-the-team/georgia-woods.aspx): Profile of Georgia Woods RVN, the ROYAL CANIN® Weight Management Clinic Nurse.

## Pet Obesity

- [Pet Obesity](https://pet-slimmers.com/pet-obesity.aspx): Why obesity shortens pets' lives and worsens disease, and how the clinic addresses it.
- [How to Tell If Your Pet Is Overweight](https://pet-slimmers.com/pet-obesity/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-is-overweight.aspx): Body condition scoring at home with score charts for cats and dogs of every size.
- [ROYAL CANIN® Diets](https://pet-slimmers.com/royal-canin-diets.aspx): How Satiety weight-management diets work: high protein and a special fibre blend that promotes fullness during dieting.

## Case Studies

- [Case Studies](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/case-studies.aspx): Real patient weight-loss journeys with before-and-after photos, measurements and DEXA scans.
- [Charlie](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/case-studies/charlie.aspx): Charlie's programme: 24.6 kg to 15.1 kg (38% loss), body fat from 49.4% to 18.3%.
- [Pepsi](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/case-studies/pepsi.aspx): Pepsi's supervised weight-loss journey with measurements and owner feedback.
- [Poppy](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/case-studies/poppy.aspx): Poppy's weight-loss results including DEXA comparison scans.

## Research

- [Obesity Research](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/research.aspx): Index of the clinic's peer-reviewed companion-animal obesity research.
- [Obesity-Related Metabolic Dysfunction in Dogs](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/research/obesity-related-metabolic-dysfunction-in-dogs.aspx): Evidence that obese dogs can develop a condition analogous to human metabolic syndrome.
- [Quality of Life Is Reduced in Obese Dogs](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/research/quality-of-life-is-reduced-in-obese-dogs.aspx): Study showing obesity measurably reduces canine quality of life and weight loss improves it.
- [Weight Loss and Renal Function](https://pet-slimmers.com/about-the-clinic/research/effect-of-weight-loss-in-obese-dogs-on-indicators-of-renal-function-or-disease.aspx): How weight loss in obese dogs affects indicators of kidney function and disease.

## Blog

- [Blog](https://pet-slimmers.com/blog.aspx): Practical, evidence-based guides on pet weight, body condition and service dogs, with FAQ and reference sections.
- [How to Check Your Dog's Body Condition Score at Home](https://pet-slimmers.com/how-to-check-your-dogs-body-condition-score-at-home/): Two-minute hands-on check of ribs, waist and belly; reviewed by Dr. Alex German.
- [What Qualifies You for a Service Dog](https://pet-slimmers.com/what-qualifies-you-for-a-service-dog/): ADA eligibility rules, qualifying disabilities and task-training requirements, with primary-source references.
- [How to Prove Your Dog Is a Service Dog](https://pet-slimmers.com/how-to-prove-your-dog-is-a-service-dog/): Why no certificate exists, the two questions businesses may legally ask, and how to handle disputes.
- [Can You Train Your Own Service Dog](https://pet-slimmers.com/can-you-train-your-own-service-dog/): Owner-training under the ADA: temperament testing, task work, public access standards and costs.
- [Service Dog Training Cost](https://pet-slimmers.com/service-dog-training-cost/): Cost breakdown: $15,000–$50,000 program dogs vs $3,000–$10,000 owner-trained, plus funding options.
- [Where Are Service Dogs Allowed](https://pet-slimmers.com/where-are-service-dogs-allowed/): Access rights under the ADA, FHA and ACAA across shops, restaurants, housing and air travel.

## News

- [Newsroom](https://pet-slimmers.com/newsroom.aspx): Clinic news on pet obesity prevalence, canine metabolic syndrome and seasonal feline feeding research.
- [Prevalence of Obesity in Pets by Country](https://pet-slimmers.com/newsroom/latest-news/prevalence-of-obesity-in-pets-by-country.aspx): Data on overweight cats and dogs across countries.
- [Cats Found to Eat Less in the Summer](https://pet-slimmers.com/newsroom/latest-news/cats-found-to-eat-less-in-the-summer.aspx): University of Liverpool study on seasonal variation in feline food intake.

## Key Facts

- Opened in November 2004 at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital
- First referral clinic of its kind in Europe for companion animal obesity
- Operates in partnership with ROYAL CANIN®; the service is free of charge for enrolled pets
- Works on a referral basis: pets are enrolled via their own veterinary surgeon
- Uses DEXA body-composition scanning to set and monitor weight-loss targets
- Safe weight-loss target used by the clinic: 1–2% of body weight per week
- Clinical lead: Dr. Alex German BVSc PhD (Reader in Small Animal Medicine); clinic nurse: Georgia Woods RVN

## Contact

- Website: https://pet-slimmers.com
- Email: info@pet-slimmers.com
- Telephone: 0151 795 6124
- Fax: 0151 795 6139
- Contact page: https://pet-slimmers.com/contact.aspx