Pudgy Pooches – Should Your Dog Go on a Diet?
Is your dog overweight? Could he stand to shed a few pounds? Many owners don’t really know when their canine friends are overweight. Since we see them every day, we may not really notice the changes that they may be going through.
Estimates by veterinarians generally report that 25 to 40 percent of pet dogs in the US and Canada are overweight (defined as more than 20 percent over their ideal weight). As with people, the risks to dogs’ health rise as they put on excess weight. A few of these risks include arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver and heart disease, spinal issues and difficulty breathing.
How can you determine if your dog has put on too much weight? There are some very basic observations you can make. When standing over your dog do you see an hourglass shape? If so, then he’s probably doing okay. However, if you notice his sides protruding, then its likely that your dog needs to shed some weight.
You can also run your hand over your dogs ribs. If you can feel them easily under a thin layer of skin and fat, then he is probably okay. If not, then some changes are in order.
Its always best to take your dog to your veterinarian before making any significant changes to his diet. Consult with the vet so that you can make sure that your diet plan will still include nutrients the dog needs.
One thing is certain: table scraps and high calorie treats must be eliminated.
Daily exercise such as taking your dog for regular walks and setting aside time for play and exercise will help both you and your dog.
Swapping high calorie goodies for lower calorie treats isn’t hard to do. A few healthy snacks include carrots, apples, green beans, cottage cheese and broccoli. And yes, in most cases, your dog will eagerly devour them. You may also consider preparing your own healthy dog treats at home (see below).
Adult dogs, like adult humans, don’t lose weight easily or quickly. A proper low calorie, healthy diet will result in a very gradual weight loss.
When it comes to puppies, it is very important that you monitor your pups food intake. Undeniably, it’s hard to resist those puppy dog eyes, but, over the long haul, its one of the best things you can do for your pup.
Most veterinarians agree that puppies should be fed only dog food that is specifically formulated for puppies. Initially feeding should be four times a day for approximately three months. Then reduce feedings to three times a day for the next three months and after six months, switch to twice a day. Then, at one year of age, switch to once daily feeding. At that time you should also make the switch to adult dog food, and monitor his weight on a regular basis.
Dogs who are at the proper weight are happier and more energetic. Sometimes we simply fail to pay attention or don’t realize how much impact that our decisions about what we feed out dogs has on their overall health and longevity.
Check out his DogBurg web site for canine friends at http://www.dogburg.com. Once there, sign up for his newsletter for dog lovers and receive the free ebook, “Pamper Your Dog: 130 Recipes for Your Canine Friend.”
