MY SWEET, CHUBBY DOG:
Yes, it sounds funny to say my dog is pleasantly plump, or cute and cuddly, or any of the other euphemism we use to describe our overweight pets, but the hidden truth and health risks are serious and pet owners should know.
Did you know you may be literally killing your pet with kindness? That’s right, those daily treats you give your pet or a bite or two at the table to a begging, drooling dog. It may give you the illusion that all is well, but the reality is the extra treats and the resulting extra weight are causing lasting damage to your pet’s internal organs, bones and joints – some of which can never be remedied even with a change in diet and exercise.
As your pet’s waistline grows, his lifespan shrinks.
Lean dogs live longer, healthier lives than those who are overweight. Study showed that dogs fed 25% fewer calories than free-fed litter mates lived nearly two years longer and showed fewer visible signs of aging.
Because we’re so used to seeing overweight dogs, many owners think a dog at his proper weight is still too skinny. As many as half of pet dogs are overweight, but the majority of owners are in denial. If veterinarians considered 50% of their patients to be overweight, only 15% owners agreed.
WHAT HARM CAN A FEW POUNDS DO?
As in people, dogs carrying extra pounds of weight place extra demands on virtually all the organs of their bodies. When we overload these organs, disease and sometimes death are the result. The health risk to overweight dogs are serious and every dog owner should be aware of them.
Some of the conditions that can occur as a result of excess weight are:
• Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Diabetes).
• Damage to joints, bones (Osteoarthritis).
• Blood Pressure.
• Heart Disease.
• Breathing difficulty (Respiratory).
• Decreased Stamina.
• Heat intolerance.
• Decreased Liver function.
• Reproductive problems (Pregnancy)
• Digestive disorders.
• Decreased Immune function.
• Skin and Hair Coat problems.
• Increased risk of Cancer.
• Decreased quality and length of life.
• Increased Surgical and Anesthetic risk.
IS MY DOG HEALTHY AT WEIGHT?
3 Simple Checks.
Rib Check:
Place both your thumbs on your dog’s backbone and spread both hands across his rib cage. Actually feeling your dog is important as the coat of many dogs will make a visual check difficult.-
Profile Check:
Examine your dog’s profile – it’s best if you are level with your dog. Look for the abdomen to be tucked up behind his rib cage, this is ideal method.
Overhead Check:
Looking at your dog from overhead, identify whether you can see a waist behind his ribs. Most dogs at healthy weight should have an hourglass figure.
If you find that your dog’s ribs and waistline aren’t where they’re supposed to be, adjust the amount of food offered accordingly. If in doubt, consult your vet.
VETERINARY EXAMINATION:
Certain medical conditions can cause obesity in dogs, and any dog with a weight problem should be examined by veterinarian prior to initiating weight control program.
Certain groups of dogs appear more prone to obesity than others.
The veterinarian will determine if there is an underlying cause for the obesity or if there are other medical conditions present, which could complicate weight reduction. When starting a weight reduction program, your veterinarian can help you determine a realistic weight goal and timeline.
HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION:
One of the main reasons weight reduction program for dogs fail is that one (or more) members of the household or even neighborhood is not following the program. Everyone must agree that the program is essential for the life and health of the dog.
ASSESSMENTS:
Regular assessments by your vet. are recommended. It is relatively simple to weigh a small dog at home using bathroom scales. First weigh yourself, then pick up your dog and get back on the scales to measure the difference. This is obviously more difficult for a large dog, for which you may need your vet’s scale.
NO ‘CRASH’ DIETS:
Never starve your dog in an attempt to lose weight quickly. It’s not safe to reduce food intake by more than 15%, as your pet won’t get the right balance of essentials minerals and vitamins and could run the risk of becoming seriously ill. This is why veterinary supervision of a diet is important.
CONSULT YOUR VET.
If your dog fails to lose weight despite increasing activity and cutting out treats, speak to your vet again, who may want to investigate for underlying medical problems that can cause weight gain?
FIGHTING OBESITY:
It is not just the human world that is fighting against the growing problem of obesity, our dogs are facing the same battle. Even more distressing is the fact that the number of obese dogs is growing. Obesity is the most common canine nutritional disease.
While the many problems associated with weight gain are frightening, it’s reassuring to know that by keeping your dog at a reasonable weight, you can reduce his chances of diabetes, orthopedic problems, cancer and other diseases.
GET ENOUGH EXERCISE:
Try to exercise your dog as much as he is able. The more muscle he maintains, the more calories he’ll burn and less fat he’ll carry. Not only that, but when you fill his time with fun activities, he’ll spend less time hanging around the food bowl.
FEED YOUR DOG PROPERLY:
Food plays a very important role in treating an overweight dog. Along with exercise, a low-calorie food is essential in helping your dog lose weight and stay fit. Fiber is also a key ingredient since it helps your dog eat less while keeping him full.
SIMPLE WEIGHT LOSS TIPS:
Finally, be sure to take your dog to your veterinarian for a checkup and expert advice.
Your vet may give you guidelines on exercise appropriate for your dog’s age and health as well as specific advice on how much he should be eating. He can also check for, and treat, any weight-related problems.
Yes, it sounds funny to say my dog is pleasantly plump, or cute and cuddly, or any of the other euphemism we use to describe our overweight pets, but the hidden truth and health risks are serious and pet owners should know.
Did you know you may be literally killing your pet with kindness? That’s right, those daily treats you give your pet or a bite or two at the table to a begging, drooling dog. It may give you the illusion that all is well, but the reality is the extra treats and the resulting extra weight are causing lasting damage to your pet’s internal organs, bones and joints – some of which can never be remedied even with a change in diet and exercise.
As your pet’s waistline grows, his lifespan shrinks.
Lean dogs live longer, healthier lives than those who are overweight. Study showed that dogs fed 25% fewer calories than free-fed litter mates lived nearly two years longer and showed fewer visible signs of aging.
Because we’re so used to seeing overweight dogs, many owners think a dog at his proper weight is still too skinny. As many as half of pet dogs are overweight, but the majority of owners are in denial. If veterinarians considered 50% of their patients to be overweight, only 15% owners agreed.
WHAT HARM CAN A FEW POUNDS DO?
As in people, dogs carrying extra pounds of weight place extra demands on virtually all the organs of their bodies. When we overload these organs, disease and sometimes death are the result. The health risk to overweight dogs are serious and every dog owner should be aware of them.
Some of the conditions that can occur as a result of excess weight are:
• Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Diabetes).
• Damage to joints, bones (Osteoarthritis).
• Blood Pressure.
• Heart Disease.
• Breathing difficulty (Respiratory).
• Decreased Stamina.
• Heat intolerance.
• Decreased Liver function.
• Reproductive problems (Pregnancy)
• Digestive disorders.
• Decreased Immune function.
• Skin and Hair Coat problems.
• Increased risk of Cancer.
• Decreased quality and length of life.
• Increased Surgical and Anesthetic risk.
IS MY DOG HEALTHY AT WEIGHT?
3 Simple Checks.
Rib Check:
Place both your thumbs on your dog’s backbone and spread both hands across his rib cage. Actually feeling your dog is important as the coat of many dogs will make a visual check difficult.-
Profile Check:
Examine your dog’s profile – it’s best if you are level with your dog. Look for the abdomen to be tucked up behind his rib cage, this is ideal method.
Overhead Check:
Looking at your dog from overhead, identify whether you can see a waist behind his ribs. Most dogs at healthy weight should have an hourglass figure.
If you find that your dog’s ribs and waistline aren’t where they’re supposed to be, adjust the amount of food offered accordingly. If in doubt, consult your vet.
VETERINARY EXAMINATION:
Certain medical conditions can cause obesity in dogs, and any dog with a weight problem should be examined by veterinarian prior to initiating weight control program.
Certain groups of dogs appear more prone to obesity than others.
The veterinarian will determine if there is an underlying cause for the obesity or if there are other medical conditions present, which could complicate weight reduction. When starting a weight reduction program, your veterinarian can help you determine a realistic weight goal and timeline.
HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION:
One of the main reasons weight reduction program for dogs fail is that one (or more) members of the household or even neighborhood is not following the program. Everyone must agree that the program is essential for the life and health of the dog.
ASSESSMENTS:
Regular assessments by your vet. are recommended. It is relatively simple to weigh a small dog at home using bathroom scales. First weigh yourself, then pick up your dog and get back on the scales to measure the difference. This is obviously more difficult for a large dog, for which you may need your vet’s scale.
NO ‘CRASH’ DIETS:
Never starve your dog in an attempt to lose weight quickly. It’s not safe to reduce food intake by more than 15%, as your pet won’t get the right balance of essentials minerals and vitamins and could run the risk of becoming seriously ill. This is why veterinary supervision of a diet is important.
CONSULT YOUR VET.
If your dog fails to lose weight despite increasing activity and cutting out treats, speak to your vet again, who may want to investigate for underlying medical problems that can cause weight gain?
FIGHTING OBESITY:
It is not just the human world that is fighting against the growing problem of obesity, our dogs are facing the same battle. Even more distressing is the fact that the number of obese dogs is growing. Obesity is the most common canine nutritional disease.
While the many problems associated with weight gain are frightening, it’s reassuring to know that by keeping your dog at a reasonable weight, you can reduce his chances of diabetes, orthopedic problems, cancer and other diseases.
GET ENOUGH EXERCISE:
Try to exercise your dog as much as he is able. The more muscle he maintains, the more calories he’ll burn and less fat he’ll carry. Not only that, but when you fill his time with fun activities, he’ll spend less time hanging around the food bowl.
FEED YOUR DOG PROPERLY:
Food plays a very important role in treating an overweight dog. Along with exercise, a low-calorie food is essential in helping your dog lose weight and stay fit. Fiber is also a key ingredient since it helps your dog eat less while keeping him full.
SIMPLE WEIGHT LOSS TIPS:
- To keep him from begging for food, feed your dog before your own meals.
- Instruct family members and visitors not to give your dog any treats or table scraps.
- Remove the pet from the room when the family eats.
- Start keeping a record of your dog's weight. If possible, weigh him once a week.
- Don't give your dog one heaping bowl of food that he can eat whenever he wants. Instead give him two to four 'small' measured meals a day so you can regulate his portions.
- Feed all meals and treats in the pet's bowl only.
- Reduce snacks or treats.
- If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure that all of your garbage cans have a secure covers. This applies to indoor garbage cans too.
- If you have more than one dog, feed them separately. That way, your overweight dog won't have access to that 'second helping'.
- Keep lot of clean, fresh water available.
Finally, be sure to take your dog to your veterinarian for a checkup and expert advice.
Your vet may give you guidelines on exercise appropriate for your dog’s age and health as well as specific advice on how much he should be eating. He can also check for, and treat, any weight-related problems.
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