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