Humans seem to be drawn to chubby species, whether chubby babies or obese dogs. However, as dogs and their owners become older, the health implications of being overweight can be less appealing. What are the dangers of your dog gaining weight? What are some of the most typical reasons for gaining weight? When should you take your overweight pet to the vet?
How to Determine Whether Your Dog Is Obese
People have various standards, but assessing if your dog is overweight or obese is a matter of sight and touch. While pressing on her sides, you should feel her ribs. Places like Fremont Veterinary Clinic can provide body-condition charts to assist you in determining whether your dog needs to reduce weight.
Obesity-Related Health Issues in Dogs
Excess weight is linked to a slew of ailments and problems. These are some of them:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart and Respiratory Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Orthopedic problems
- Skin disease
- Life expectancy decrease (up to 2.5 years)
What should you do if your dog requires a diet?
There are a few tried-and-true methods for losing weight in dogs, just as there are in humans. To begin, go to your veterinarian to make sure you don’t have an underlying health problem or disease that’s causing your weight gain. Before making any modifications to your dog’s food or caloric consumption, consult with your veterinarian first and if you don’t know a vet in your area, just look up “vet checkup near me”. Consider the following suggestions after you’ve completed these steps:
Meal Recording
A meal diary is essential for any human weight-loss program. Because dogs are unable to write, you will be required to do it on their behalf. Keep track of how much kibble you’re feeding with a measuring cup.
Create a Meal Schedule
Establish a meal routine if you free-feed, leaving food out all day. Place the food on the table for a set amount of time, such as 15 minutes, and then gather any food that the dog does not consume.
Limit Between-Meal Snacks
Dogs consume a lot of calories in addition to their regular diet. These can be anything from training treats to a cookie slipped over the fence by a nice neighbor. Those calories add up. Determine where the extras came from and keep track of how many goodies the dog is getting.
Select Low-Calorie Goodies
Many store-bought snacks, especially biscuits, have high-calorie content. Chews are in the same boat. Fruits and vegetables such as bananas, carrots, green beans, and apple slices will satisfy some dogs equally well.
Make Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Exercise
Your dog’s health will improve substantially if you take him for daily walks, and he will burn more calories if you allow him to play on a regular basis rather than becoming a puppy couch potato. Furthermore, keeping children active prevents boredom. This improves their general quality of life and metabolism. Click here for more info on how to make your pet look and feel good.
Conclusion
Obesity has a negative impact on almost every system in the body. Obese dogs have higher anesthesia risks and medical costs. Maintaining a healthy weight for the duration of your dog’s life can keep them healthier, happier and help them live longer lives.
