How to keep your dog's weight healthy
We have all at some point failed to resist the pleading eyes of our dog who tenderly asks us for a treat... But is this how we are harming our four-legged friend?
The large amount of food and treats can result in an overweight animal. And unfortunately obesity is associated with many health problems for our dog.
Therefore, it is very important to take care that our dog maintains a healthy weight based on its age and breed.
Read below how you can achieve this in simple steps.
How a dog's weight affects his health
Just like in humans, obesity in dogs can cause a number of health problems, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Orthopedic problems
- Injuries to the muscular system
- Skin diseases
- Cardiac and respiratory diseases.
If your dog's weight deviates too far from normal, it can even lead to a shortened life expectancy. So, as cute as a chubby dog may look, it takes a lot of attention to control his weight and lose those extra pounds.
How to help your dog lose weight
If you notice that your dog has gained weight, then you should first consult the veterinarian, in order to rule out any pathological condition. As long as there is no medical problem, then you should follow a weight loss program for the animal.
Being careful with your dog's weight is something you should do on a regular basis, even before the dog gains weight. After all, prevention is always better than cure!
There are three things to watch out for.
- Physical exercise
Just like in humans, a combination of exercise and proper nutrition brings the most success in your weight loss effort. Exercising the dog will obviously be done with you and gives you a great opportunity to bond even more!
Walking, swimming and even playing with balls and ropes are fun activities that increase the dog's heart rate and help him burn calories.
- Diet
As far as nutrition is concerned, you should definitely be careful with the amount of food the dog eats every day as well as with the treats you give him. The required daily amount is indicated on each food.
If the dog is already obese, then you should switch to a weight control food that has fewer calories.
You can do the same for treats as there are many healthy treats with low calories.
- Set boundaries
When trying to lose weight, a diet plan is always the best solution. It is important to set limits for your dog and you will achieve this by giving him food at specific times and amounts.
After he finishes eating, move his bowl away and engage him in something other than eating.
The same goes for treats, which should be given at specific times and for specific reasons (eg because he obeyed a command).
At Petastero you will find a wide variety of special foods for weight loss as well as low-calorie treats that your four-legged friend will love!
