Many dog owners refer to their fat dogs as cute and cuddlesome. Fat dogs are often mistaken as healthy canines without realizing that obesity is a serious problem, which needs immediate attention.
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Dogs tend to lose weight more easily than gaining it, by skipping, leaping, hopping and playing. Despite this fact, roughly 25% pet dogs brought to vets are overweight. This brings us to the conclusion that it is often a wrong dietary pattern, which is the root of this disorder. The causes may also include some genetic inclination or improper functioning of certain hormones secreted by the thyroid and pituitary glands.
Obesity requires serious thought and treatment, especially when it comes to dogs. Dog breeds like Labrador, Dachshund, Beagle and Spaniels are usually at more risk for obesity.
Fat dogs are prone to innumerable disorders such as nervous tension and pressure on the bones, liver, lungs, kidneys and heart. They are likely to be lethargic and less resistant to other diseases. It also hinders normal functioning of the respiratory and reproductive processes.
Treatment:
The key solution to decreasing obesity in your pet is to increase its level of activity. It is equally vital to note the factors for its obesity, and carry out a proper exercise schedule with the vets advice. This includes taking it for a regular walk and involving games that will enable it to burn its calories.
Prepare a dietary plan that suits the dogs energy needs and accordingly switch to a dog food product, which ensures comparatively less calorie and more fiber intake. Thus instead of supplying high-calorie and low-nutrition items such as cakes, buttered sandwiches or cookies, it is better to give slices of carrots, bananas or oranges.
Your vet can assist you in determining the best dog food for your dog. There are many dog foods on the market and many of them are specifically developed for weight control. Your dogs age and other health issues should be considered when choosing the dog food. Dry dog food is best for their teeth.
Dog owners enjoy giving their dogs treats. Keep their diet in mind when giving treats to your dog. Instead of feeding them table scraps from the table, give them a dog treat that takes them awhile to eat, such as a milk bone.
The owner needs to follow many other habits along with these measures. It is also essential to keep a continuous watch on your dog to keep it away from garbage cans and areas where your dog may eat unhealthy and unsanitary items.
Dog owners should view obesity in their pets as an indicator of the dogs health. Determine appropriate portions for your dogs size and age in order to avoid overfeeding. Instances of overfeeding often occur because the owners yield to their pets wishes. They give it what it likes, instead of giving it what it needs.
Fat dogs are likely to end up with serious dog health problems. Ask yourself these three questions. Is your dog starting to look a little overweight? Is it difficult to feel your dog’s ribs? Has your dog gained a few extra pounds in the last year? If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions then maybe it is time to start thinking about a weight control program for your dog.
A pound or two weight gain for a small dog is equivalent to 15 or 20 pounds for an adult person. Overweight or fat dogs are at serious risk for developing or aggravating a wide-range of health problems. These dog health problems include: musculoskeletal disorders including hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, spinal disc problems and joint and ligament ruptures; heart, kidney and liver diseases; diabetes; breathing and respiratory problems; increased intolerance to heat and exercise; poor coat and skin disease; and increased surgical and anesthetic risk. Excess weight can reduce the life expectancy of your dog by as much as 20%.
The fat dog or pudgy pooch weight control program is really based on a very simple equation. In order for your dog to lose weight, you must reduce the number of calories he eats while increasing the number of calories he burns through increased activity. As one popular truism states – “If your dog is too fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise”. As you begin to develop your dog’s weight control program, you should make a list of the reasons that probably contributed to your dog’s excess weight. These reasons might include: too little exercise; feeding your dog too much dog food; feeding your dog table scraps and leftovers; and giving your dog food and treats as rewards for good behavior. Some dog breeds such as the American and English Cocker Spaniels seem to process their food efficiently and are subject to weight gain. You must watch their food intake carefully.
The first step in your weight control program is to visit your veterinarian and have him or her weigh your dog and set a healthy target weight. Ask your vet to do a blood test to rule out metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism which may be contributing to weight gain and which can be readily treated. Then, in conjunction with your vet, decide on which dog food approach to use. You can either reduce the intake calories by cutting back on your existing dog food by 25% or you can switch to a reduced calorie dog food. If you switch to a calorie reduced dog food, then make sure you buy a high quality dog food that doesn’t have too much ash and will provide good nutrition for your dog. Ask your vet whether it would be beneficial to add a vitamin/mineral/fatty acid supplement to your dog’s diet.
Next ask your vet to make sure your dog is healthy enough to tolerate an increased amount of exercise and activity. There are a number of activities that you and your dog can participate in that will result in burning up more calories. Other ways to burn calories are by simply increasing the frequency of exercise and play sessions or by increasing the duration of the exercise period. In other words – more walks or longer walks. Remember to keep monitoring your dog’s food intake. Don’t let other family members reward him with dog treats – buy your dog chewy toys instead!
Finally you need to monitor the progress of your weight control program by weighing your dog every two weeks on a regular basis. Before long you will be enjoying the benefits of a healthier, happier and more active companion.
It is the vet who can brief the owner correctly regarding their pets needs and provide a suitable solution to deal with fat dogs. It is therefore, important that the owner make correct choices and implement them with the aid and advice of a good vet.
**If in doubt consult your Vet**
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