| In similar ways to us humans, one of the | | | | While your dog is losing weight, ideally you |
| biggest health problems today for dogs is | | | | should cut out all treats. Many people feed |
| obesity. Many dog owners think that their | | | | their dogs the appropriate amount of food, |
| pudgy dogs are adorable and cute. However, | | | | but do not realize how very high in calories |
| the reality is that they are extremely | | | | many of the treats they give them are. Keep |
| unhealthy. | | | | track of what kinds of treats and how many |
| | | | you are giving your dog. You may be amazed |
| It is a know fact that overweight dogs can | | | | to find out that his caloric intake of treats |
| develop the same kinds of problems that | | | | is greater than that in his food. If you |
| overweight humans can, such as diabetes | | | | must feed your dog treats while he is |
| mellitus, which can be very tricky to treat. | | | | dieting, choose healthy snacks like carrots |
| Obesity can also reduce the life expectancy | | | | or a low calorie manufactured treat. You |
| of your dog. | | | | should also never feed your dog leftovers |
| | | | from your own food. Not only is this |
| If you are not sure whether your dog is | | | | unhealthy for dogs, it can lead to unwanted |
| overweight, there is a very easy way to check | | | | behaviors such as begging. In general, your |
| visually and by touch. A dog of normal | | | | leftovers do not have the proper balance of |
| weight should have an indentation at his | | | | nutrients that dogs require and are often |
| waistline, and his ribs should be easily felt | | | | higher in fat and calories than foods that |
| under his skin. An overweight dog will not | | | | dogs should have. |
| have a waistline and there will be a thicker | | | | |
| layer of fat over his ribs. | | | | Proper nutrition is not the only factor in |
| | | | reducing weight in dogs. You must provide |
| There are several factors that can contribute | | | | them with appropriate amounts of exercise. |
| to obesity in dogs. Among these are | | | | Many people do not understand that dogs |
| overfeeding, not enough exercise, health | | | | require an awful lot of exercise to maintain |
| conditions such as hyperthyroidism or | | | | their proper health. If your dog is |
| hyperadrenocorticism, age, gender, and breed. | | | | overweight, you will want to go for at least |
| If your dog is overweight, the first thing | | | | one walk in both the morning and the evening |
| you should do is to ask your veterinarian to | | | | for up to 30 minutes each time, depending on |
| do a full examination of the dog. This will | | | | the size of your dog. Dog parks are an |
| then help to rule out any underlying health | | | | excellent place for both you and your dog to |
| conditions. | | | | get exercise. Sign up for a class like |
| | | | agility or flyball to help keep your dog |
| If no health conditions are present, the next | | | | active. Play lots of games like fetch and |
| thing you should look at is the quality and | | | | Frisbee. You have to be an active partner in |
| quantity of food you are feeding your dog. | | | | helping your dog reduce his weight. |
| Many store brand and generic foods do not | | | | |
| have the proper nutrients required to keep | | | | Weight loss in dogs should be very gradual. |
| your dog fit and healthy. If your dog is | | | | Dogs should only lose between one and two |
| overweight, you will want to choose a high | | | | percent of their overall weight per week. |
| quality food specifically designed to be low | | | | You should weigh your dog on a regular basis |
| in calories. Many prescription and over the | | | | to keep track of his weight and to check your |
| counter diets are available for your dog. | | | | progress. |
| Talk with your veterinary staff to help | | | | |
| determine which food is most appropriate for | | | | Dogs become overweight by overeating and |
| your dog. If you decide that you will be | | | | inactivity. By following the feeding |
| switching to a new food, you will want to do | | | | guidelines set by your veterinarian, reducing |
| this gradually, over the period of about a | | | | the amount of treats given, and increasing |
| week. This will help reduce digestive | | | | the amount of exercise and activity your dog |
| problems like vomiting and loose stools. | | | | gets, you can help your dog lose weight and |
| Feed your dog the amount that the label on | | | | become the healthy and happy dog you want him |
| the tin or your veterinarian recommends. | | | | to be. |
| | | | |