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Diet for Overweight Dogs: Weight Loss & Management Tips

When people take their dogs to the veterinarian, the last thing they expect to hear is that their pets are overweight or obese. Many people will flat out deny it and say that they’re just “fluffy,” but the reality of weight issues in dogs is far from adorable or “just a little fluffy.” Obesity is a serious issue that few pet parents are willing to address, which is unfortunate since it can lead to much worse health problems down the road. If your vet suspects your dog is overweight or obese, it’s time to take control of your dog’s diet and lifestyle before things progress to dire circumstances.

How Do I Know My Dog is Overweight or Obese?

While a vet should tell you if your dog is overweight or obese, there are some telltale signs that will tell you. The most obvious sign of an overweight or obese dog is a lack of a waist (between hips and ribcage), giving them a rounded, barrel-like look. If your dog is more than a few pounds overweight, the hips and ribcage will be completely invisible.

The second sign is inactivity, especially in breeds that enjoy exercising and have naturally higher levels of activity. Dogs are playful by nature, even breeds that don’t necessarily love running around all day. If your dog is too lazy for exercise or struggles to make it down the street without being exhausted, your dog might have a weight problem.

Another sign of overweight problems or obesity is diet. How much are you feeding your dog? Does he or she get a lot of people food or dog treats? These are a few of many questions you’ll have to answer if you suspect your dog is overweight. Many dog owners don’t know that they’re most likely overfeeding their dogs, so it’s crucial to feed your dog a diet that reflects his or her body size and activity levels.

What is the difference between Overweight and Obese?

When first learning about dog weight and diet, the terms ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ are often thrown around. While one is worse than the other, they’re both serious issues that are far too common. Overweight is a term that simply means over the limit of what your dog should weigh, which is quite common amongst many dogs. It’s easy to fix with a stricter diet and more exercise, which your vet can guide you through.

Obesity, however, beyond overweight and means your dog’s body fat index is much higher than normal. It’s a serious condition that needs medication intervention with your vet, a strict diet, and daily exercise to help get rid of the weight as quickly as possible without risking your dog’s health. If your dog is truly obese, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for help.

Why is Obesity and Being Overweight Bad for Dogs?

Weight problems and obesity are both terrible for dogs, leading to multiple health issues that are sometimes irreversible. Here are some common conditions that overweight and obese dogs may run into:

• Arthritis
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Heart Disease
  
  
• Liver Failure
  
  
• Elbow/Patella Luxation
  
  
• Hip Dysplasia
  
  
• Spine/Neck issues
  
  
• Mobility Issues
  

If you think your dog is already heading for these issues, please call your vet as soon as possible. The sooner your dog is on a healthier path, the better your dog’s life will be later on.

Are Certain Breeds Prone to Weight Problems and Obesity?

Yes, there are some dog breeds that are more prone to obesity. However, small dogs, in general, are more likely to be overweight. Here are some breeds that may fall prey to weight gain:

• Chihuahua
  
  
• Yorkshire Terrier
  
  
• English Mastiff
  
  
• Bullmastiff
  
  
• Rottweiler
  
  
• Boxer
  
  
• Corgi
  
  
• Pug
  
  
• Labrador Retriever
  
  
• Golden Retriever
  
  
• French Bulldog
  
  
• Boston Terrier
  
  
• English Bulldog
  
  
• Staffordshire Terrier
  
  
• Bull Terrier
  
  
• Pekingese
  
  
• Maltese
  
  
• Bichon
  
  
• Great Dane
  
  

How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight?

Call your Vet

Talk to your vet for help with diet and weight management tips. There are some things we can suggest, but completely changing a dog’s diet and lifestyle should always be done with a vet’s approval and supervision. Every dog has its own nutritional needs, which is why getting professional advice is crucial.

Check your Dog’s Food

Check your dog’s food label and see how much it calls for, then compare it to how much you’re feeding. Different dog food brands have different caloric amounts per cup, so you might be feeding more than needed. Also, some brands of dog food tend to call for more food than necessary, so you may have to cut down on the kibble (with vet approval). Another thing to check for is low-quality filler ingredients, which are just empty calories that do nothing for your dog’s health.

More exercise

One of the easiest things to start doing is to take your dog for a walk! While you shouldn’t drag an out-of-shape dog out for a 5k run, start pushing your dog to be a little more active by setting up walks throughout the day. If your dog doesn’t want to get out and move, try using dog-safe vegetables like broccoli or carrots to coax him or her into moving around.

Swap Out Treats for Veggies

While some dogs will not approve of this, but many other dogs love vegetables! If your dog is a big veggie lover, swap out treats for veggies instead. If your dog is not a vegetable lover, try to find high-quality treats that are low in calories per treat. Treats that are biscuit-like, such as Milkbone, are rarely healthy and will add to your dog’s weight problem.

Conclusion
Dog weight can be a sensitive topic, with many pet owners swearing that their dog isn’t fat at all. While it may not seem like a serious problem, dog obesity a nationwide issue that plagues hundreds of dogs yearly. If you think your dog has a weight issue, consult with your vet as soon as you can to prevent other problems from arriving. With persistence and patience, your dog can lose the extra weight and seem years younger than before.

https://petkeen.com/diet-for-overweight-dogs/

How To Properly Care For A Canine

In some ways, caring for a dog is almost like caring for a kid - a big, furry, slobbery kid. Dog care is a tremendous amount of work, and it can be hard to figure out what action you should take. Thankfully, you're in the right place. This article will help you with your dog.

Hugs are great to give your pets, but kisses are not that great. Your dog's mouth is fairly dirty at any given time. Dogs poke around trash cans, love smelling and licking other dogs' body parts and enthusiastically drink from toilet bowls. Many people believe that dogs' mouths do not have as much germs as humans' mouths. This is completely wrong!

Avoid insisting that your dog socialize nicely with every other passing dog. Experts recommend that your dog be able to tolerate introductions through sniffing and eying with another animal, but say forcing the issue can create problems. Accept your dog's lead when meeting and greeting other animals and allow for natural interaction.

Your dog needs to be secured when in a car. Not only will it make the journey safer, as it will lead to fewer distractions for the person driving the car, but in the event of an accident, it could also save your dog's life. Look for a seat belt harness, often sold at pet stores, that you can put in your car for your pet.

Talk to your vet to learn which foods are appropriate for your particular dog. A puppy's stomach may not be able to handle particular foods, which may cause stomach issues. Always exercise caution when it comes to your animal's food.

Try not to give a dog table scraps. This will make him beg more often, and he may gain a preference for human food. Your dog may develop digestive problems and become fat if you feed it table scraps. Put your dog in another room while the family eats, and do not allow him to reenter the dining space until dinner is done.

There are many ways to show your dog how cherished he is. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. If you focus on the negatives, they will not maximize their potential. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.

If you want a dog but don't know if you can handle the responsibility, start out as a short-term foster home. Shelters for abused or homeless dogs are often looking for temporary homes, called foster homes, where dogs can live until they are adopted out to a permanent home. You can give a hand by fostering a dog without a home and try on the role of dog owner too!

Make sure your let your dog know you love him. As with most things, owners tend to focus more on the bad behavior instead of the good. This could cause lots of problems for you. Praise your dog at least 5x more than you discipline him. This will reinforce that positive behavior brings due rewards, and thus lead to a better behaved pet.

If you are in the market for a pedigree pup, you just may find him at the pound. Many pet owners abandon their dogs at the pound when they no longer want to, or are able to, keep them. Call the shelter to find out which dogs they have available. You can save the life of an abandoned dog this way.

Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and anything you start with him will be expected in the future. If you're not keen on him sleeping with you, don't let him do it only on occasion. Likewise, if you don't want him begging at the table, never offer him a bite of people food. He will learn and accept things if you are consistent.

Accept the aging process in your dog and know how to meet his changing needs. Your older dog may require dietary changes, more rest and not be as playful as he once was. This doesn't mean he should be left to grow old in a corner. Adapt to his needs and make his golden years enjoyable!

If your dog is prone to getting burs in his coat, keep a can of Crisco in your kitchen cupboard. Next time you notice a bur, put gloves on to protect yourself and work the Crisco around until you can pry the bur out. Give him a nice shampoo to get the shortening out later.

Never give someone a dog as a present. Most animals that are given as gifts eventually wind up in a shelter. This is due to the fact that many people can not handle the responsibilities that come with having a pet. If someone wants a dog bad enough they should be the one to make that purchase.

Your puppy may be cute when it starts nibbling slippers, but it will not be when it's older and chewing them to bits. The sooner you stop bad habits, the better. If your dog is doing something that it shouldn't, don't ignore it. You will be saved much trouble down the line.

You need to teach your dog a few simple commands at a very young age for its own safety. Your dog should always come when you call its name and a command such as 'give' should be used to get your dog to stop gnawing at a potentially dangerous object.

If you are training your dog to not pull when on the leash, you should invest in a quality collar and leash. If you have a larger dog, the force of it pulling might be able to break basic collars and leashes. For this reason a good, strong collar is recommended when you are walking your pup.

It is wise to check your area to find out what the local leash laws are. Many areas require a dog to be leashed at all times if it is not on your property. keeping your dog on a leash is a good idea anyway, as it can be dangerous to let your pet run unattended, where he could be hit by a car, or fight with other dogs.

Now that you understand the undertaking of owning a dog, you should feel confident in the fact that you can now provide for your pet fully. When he pees on the floor, forgive him. When he barks at the moon, bark with him. And when he gives you a big kiss, return the favor!

Care For Your Dog Properly With This Article

Dogs are unlike any other animals you can own as a pet. They love you unconditionally, cheer you up when you are down, and want you to love them as much as they do you. This article will tell you how to make your dog's life as amazing as it deserves it to be.

Be careful with your dog around Christmas season, many dangers are lurking just under the festive ambiance. For instance, electrical chords are typically strewn about during the holidays, and dogs often chew them, creating an electrical hazard. Dogs may be tempted to eat the decorations on the tree. They may also be tempted by the tree water, which can be toxic.

Start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. Create a vocabulary list that all your family members will use to command the dog and stick to it. Dogs can become confused if the same words are not used to give them directions. The dog will see "get over here"u009d and "come"u009d as two different commands.

Always be prepared to pick up after your dog with a scoop and bag. Although most people think that this is simply a polite thing to do so that others don't step in it, your dog's excrement is actually hazardous!rnIt contains a bacterium that can contaminate local supplies when it washes through to ground water.

Schedule regular veterinary visits. Regular veterinary exams are extremely important for your dog's overall health - as with humans, it is important to catch any health problems early on. The vet will make sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations, and check for any other issues such as weight and dental problems or parasites.

Do you have a "wrinkly" dog, like a bulldog? If so, you have to be conscientious about the grooming process in order to help keep your pet clean. After you brush, take a baby wipe and use it to get in between the folds on their body. Make sure, though, to get them fully dry after doing so.

If you are thinking about adopting a dog, try taking a couple of weeks off work so you can spend some time with your puppy and teach it a few good habits. Training your puppy and helping it get used to its new environment will be much easier if you are home.

Research a particular breed of dog you may be interested in before bringing him home. Lots of people make the mistake of falling in love with a type of dog, then find out later that the animal isn't really for them. Chihuahuas, for example, are a trendy type, but very difficult to fully potty train, especially in colder climates!

Getting a dog on a whim is rarely a good idea. You need to make sure you can afford to feed a dog and cover medical expenses before getting a pet. Research different breeds to figure out which dog would be best for your family, your lifestyle and the size of your home.

When it is time to buy dog food, avoid buying the cheapest brand. In the long run, it is beneficial to be feeding your dog high quality, nutritious food. You'll have to pay more, but you can be certain your dog gets the right vitamins and minerals from good sources.

The pads of your dog's feet can become dry and cracked, so make sure that you moisturize them regularly. Ask your veterinarian for advice on which product to use. Avoid using moisturizers that are intended for humans, because they can make the pads too soft and your dog may get hurt.

It is very common for objects to get lodged in the pads of your dogs paws. Check them regularly to make sure that nothing is in there. If you see something, be very careful about taking it out, or it may become lodged even deeper. It is a wise to use tweezers for this.

If you have a smaller breed dog, make sure everyone who touches him knows the proper way to hold him. Small dogs can be easily injured by inappropriate handling and many owners find this out the hard way. Gently lift at the belly from under his front legs and secure him with both hands.

If your dog is covering everything in the house with his shedding fur, grab a paper towel. Lightly wet it with water and rub it down his back in the direction of fur growth. The loose hair should come off easily on the paper towel and your dog will love the attention too!

Never give your dog away for free, no matter how desperate you might feel to get rid of it quickly. Even if you can not care for the animal, it is still your responsibility to be sure that it will have a good life to come. Instead, take the time to investigate the person that you will give it to and charge a re-homing fee to ensure that they are serious about caring for the animal.

Walk your dog on a daily basis. Even if your dog has a large yard to run in, he needs time to interact with you and experience life outside of his back yard. Keep him safe by investing in a sturdy collar and leash. This is a great way to enjoy time with your pet.

If you want to get a dog, you need to get it trained. This will make both lives happier and more rewarding. While training a puppy is easier, you can still teach an old dog new tricks.

Don't bathe your dog after you have applied a flea or tick medication. Some medications tout that they are waterproo, but they only mean against rain or swimming. They will largely wash away with a dog shampoo, rendering the treatment ineffective. If you must bathe the dog after a treatment, use a soap free shampoo.

Puppies may be cute when biting on a slipper, but the cuteness fades when it turns into a dog who is ripping them apart. Stop these problems early. If he's doing something wrong, say "no" firmly. It is best to address this issue early.

Your new family member, or the dog you've loved for many years, will be so thankful once you start changing your habits to better suit them. As you use the tips in this article, both his and your life will become better. Giving your dog what he deserves is the best feeling ever!

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