You may think your dog's pudgy rolls are lovable, but a vet will assert that an overweight dog is at more significant risk for health problems relating to joint pressure, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer and canine diabetes. Controlling your dog's heaviness is one of the most crucial things you can do as a pet owner to keep your pet happy and healthier.
Most often, a dog's weight problems are due to poor diet and lack of exercise. Weight gain may also occur as a result of hormone issues like Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism. Certain breeds like beagles, pugs, cocker spaniels and bulldogs are more genetically prone to being overweight. For most dogs though, obesity is a result of improper care.
Veterinarians generally classify dogs that weigh more than 20% above the normal weight as obese. At the ideal weight, you should be able to feel your dog's ribs and he or she should have a clear waistline. Overweight dogs will have a belly that hangs and no visible waist. If your dog falls in the latter category it is time to make changes in his diet and routine.
A healthy diet is essential to changing and maintaining your dog's weight. Consult with your veterinarian to determine a healthy weight and diet plan for your dog. A low-calorie regimin may be recommended that will satisfy your pup's hunger while providing essential nutrients and vitamins.
To avoid causing an upset stomach, gradually ease your dog into his new diet. Start by including just a small amount of diet food mixed with his regular food. Add a little more diet chow each day while decreasing the amount of regular food so he has time to adjust to the changes.
Family meal time should be for the human family only. Many dogs gain weight because their table-side begging tactics work, gaining them a morsel of steak or leftover dinner scraps. If begging is a problem, keep the dog in another room while you are eating and resist the temptation to feed him from your plate.
Cut back on treats and use verbal cues or toys as an alternative reward. If you can't resist giving treats, make them healthier by offering apple slices with a touch of peanut butter or homemade oatmeal balls.
Exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight. If your dog is overweight, chances are that you need more exercise too. Make exercising together part of your daily habit. Obese dogs may need to start off slowly but will eventually work up to taking long walks. A rousing game of fetch can also burn calories, build endurance and improve muscle functioning. A trip to the dog park will provide both exercise and socialization
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.megaezines.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed