Dog weight loss will yield many healthy benefits for the overweight dog. Studies have shown that more than 40 percent of American dogs are overweight. Typically owners are the cause of their overweight pets. Dog owners will typically over feed their dog or they will allow their animal to snack on table scraps.
If your dog has rapidly experienced weight loss without any change to diet or exercise you should seek the help of a vet immediately. Rapid weight loss could be a sign of an underlying problem, such as: parasite, hormonal imbalances, or an undetected medical condition. When a dog is overweight they are prone to complications, such as: increased blood pressure, hepatic lipidosis, and dystocia.
If the vet finds that there are no underlying health conditions the owner should consider putting their animal on a weight reduction plan. Weight reduction can easily be obtained by reducing the dog’s daily food intake along with getting their pet active. Another important factor in a weight reduction plan for dogs is the type of food they are consuming. Make sure to get a dog food that lists the first ingredient as meat. Avoid brands that list corn as the first ingredient.
Confused about what an overweight dog looks likes? The most noticeable sign that a dog is overweight is by a disappearing waistline. When dogs are a healthy weight their waistline is noticeably visible. Another way to tell if a dog is overweight is by running your hands over the animal’s rib cage. If an owner cannot feel the ribs of the animal then it is most likely overweight.
More often than not the owner has caused their dog to become overweight. Typically dogs should be exercised every day and fed dog food that is geared for the dog’s size and breed. However, many owners love to reward their dogs with doggy treats or worse table scraps. Owners must remember that most dogs will continue to eat even when they are not hungry, this of course can cause an overweight dog. Dog owners must remember that their dog is not a convenient garbage disposal.
An exercise routine is a great way to help an animal get back into shape. Combining diet and exercise is a great way to get an animal back to a healthy weight while building and maintaining muscle. Friendly reminder: dogs that have been inactive will need to build endurance with their new exercise routine. If your dog hasn’t been on a walk for the past few months or longer try going on a short 5-10 minute walk at first. Once the dog is use to short walks try increasing the time by 5 minutes each week.
Owners should watch out for warning signs that their dog is losing too much weight too fast. If your dog is shedding excessively or if the dog develops new conditions it is recommended to make a visit with your local vet.
Dog weight loss shouldn’t happen overnight. When owners decide it is time to put their dog on a diet or new exercise routine they should do so with care and caution. If a dog loses weight to rapidly it could cause additional health problems.
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