Posts Tagged ‘Ribs’
A healthy dog is a thin dog. Unfortunately obesity in dogs in a major health problem in pets. Food is a primary motivator for most dogs and the more the better. But more food isn’t good for your dog. Canines are carnivores. Most carnivores eat until there isn’t anything left to eat. That works if you’re a wolf and you’ve just brought down a deer. It could be several days or a week before you get anything much else to eat. Other members of your pack may be competing with you for a place at the “table,” so to speak. Stuffing yourself with as much as you can hold makes sense. It isn’t easy helping your dog lose weight but you can do it.
That same instinct is what drives domesticated dogs to overeat. They don’t know how much is good for them so they keep eating until there isn’t anything left. There are even dogs who have had to be taken to the emergency clinic because they’ve eaten an entire sheet cake and their stomachs are literally ready to burst.
Check with your vet for the right amount of food for your dog based on his weight (the dog’s not the vet’s) age and activity levels. The amounts suggested on dog food packages may or may not be accurate. Just because it says that 2 dry cupfuls a day is what a 20 pound dog should be eating that doesn’t mean it’s the right amount of food for your dog. Pet food companies are in the business to make money so they want you to buy as much dog food as possible.
Measure the food by a cup, don’t just dump it in the bowl figuring it’s close enough. After several weeks check your dog to see if he’s gaining or losing weight by feeling his ribs or weighing him. Many vets will welcome the opportunity to help you weight your pet every few weeks or so without charge.
Make sure any snacks or treats are included in what you feed the dog. Just like humans, dogs can gain weight because they snack too much. Put the day’s daily snack ration in a plastic bag so you won’t be tempted to overfeed. Raw veggies and fruits make good snacks (for both you and your dog). Slice raw carrots, cucumbers, apples and so forth to be at the ready for snack time.
If you and your vet have decided your pooch needs to peel off some pounds, consider supplementing his reduced amount of food with string beans. Canned strings beans work well. Look for the no added salt variety. Add the string beans to his supper so his tummy feels full.
Of course whenever you change a dog’s diet go slowly to avoid digestive problems.
Help your dog lose weight. Keep your dog healthy and at the right weight.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Free report Keep Your Dog Healthy and Safe. Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books and the two legged companion of Rose, the Irish Setter and Kate, the English Springer Spaniel. They give two paws up to Dee’s healthy dog food recipes
In many respects, dogs are very similar to humans. For example, one of their biggest health problems is obesity. To many owners, a tubby dog is extra cuddly, but the fact of the matter is that a fat dog is an unhealthy dog! In much the same way as obesity affects humans, dogs too can suffer from diabetes exacerbated by over weight, and their life expectancy can be seriously shortened.
Some pet owners do not know if their dog is overweight or not. A layer of blubber around the dogs midriff does not mean it has a comfortable weight. A simple way to find out is with a simple visual check. Your should be able to easily feel the ribs under the dog’s skin. If a dog is overweight then the will have a layer of fat over their ribs.
There are a number of factors that can effect a dogs weight. Over feeding is probably the most common, but lack of exercise can compound the problem of over eating dramatically. There are other factors too though, some not as obvious as those just outlined. For example, and depending on the age, breed and sex of the dog, conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism can also play a part. If you suspect that you pet is overweight, then your first port of call should be to the vet, just in case something more serious is at play.
Once you have ruled out any serious health problems from the equation, you can start to deal with the other factors yourself. Make a plan of the quantity and quality of the food that you give your dog, and how many times you actually feed it. Many cheap brands of dog food are not fully nutritious, so one of the first things to do will be to get better quality food for your pet. If you have any doubts, talk to your veterinarian about the diet you give your dog, because they will be well placed to advise you with respect to the breed and age of the animal. If you do change your dog’s diet, do so over a period of time rather than all at once. Let your dog’s digestive system deal with the changes, especially if they are quite radical.
Treat your dog as you would treat yourself if you were on a diet. Cut out sweets for example, especially if they are high in calories. Make notes of exactly what you feed your dog, especially with respect to the calorific content. As with humans, losing weight is all about calorie deficit, and one of the first things to do is to check the dog’s calorie intake. Try and avoid feeding your dog leftovers as well, even if they are used to having them. Human food has not been prepared with dogs in mind, and will often have higher calorie content than a dog should have.
The other side of the weight loss coin is adequate exercise. Dogs need to have a huge amount of exercise to remain healthy, far more than you take yourself, no matter how fit you are. If your dog is overweight, they should go for at least two walks a day, of minimum duration of 30 to 45 minutes each. This will depend largely on the size of your dog. If you have such a thing as a dog park nearby, then take your dog there. Play lots of games which involve you throwing and the dog running. Less work for you and more for the dog, but that is the way that it should be. And it can be fun too!
Try to look at a long term plan for your dog’s weight loss, and not a crash diet. A gradual program will be more sustainable over the long term. Remember to record your dog’s weight too, a keep an eye on progress regularly.
By and large, dogs become overweight by overeating and inactivity, much as we do. Follow the feeding guidelines set by your vet, improve the quality of the food you give your dog, and increase the amount of exercise and activity your dog gets. Following these simple rules will get your dog back to being the way that nature intended. They will thank you for it!
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Do you have an overweight dog? Discover how to find out if it is, and learn the best tips for getting your dog lose weight and look fit and trim.