As pet parents, our preference is to shower our furry friends with treats to show them how much we care about them. There’s nothing naturally wrong with treating your dog with a treat as a reward for good behavior as long as they’re at a healthful weight. However, too much of a pleasing thing can sometimes be harmful to their overall health and wellbeing. If you doubt that your pup may be overweight, consider taking them to a vet to decide whether or not their weight is in the healthy range.
How Your Dog’s Weight Impacts Their Health
It’s no mystery that unhealthy weight in humans, whether overweight or underweight, can lead to health concerns. But did you know the exact thing that can happen to your furry dog? According to an article, dog obesity can contribute to health conditions such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Orthopedic Problems
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injuries
- Skin Disease
- Heart and Respiratory Disease
If your dog’s weight gets too out of control, it can even lead to decreased life longing. Since our furry friends are part of the family, we want to get as much time as we can with them.
Helping Your Dog Cleared the Extra Pounds
If you’ve seen your pet gaining some extra weight, your first stop should be a visit to your vet. Leading out health conditions that could be forcing your dog’s weight gain is extremely crucial. Once your vet has determined that there aren’t any underlying medical problems, you should consult with them about the best weight control strategy for helping your fat dog get back to fit size.
- Physical Exercise
Just like in humans, a mixture of physical exercise and a change in diet typically obtains about the most success when it comes to weight loss in dogs. Since your furry dog can’t just get up in the morning and move on over to a doggie gym, the exercise part will greatly depend on your dedication to staying involved with their physical activity level. This is a great time to bond, so get out there and have fun with it! If your furry friend has a hard time getting around, try low-impact activities like swimming or taking a walk to start out.
- Doggie Diet
If your vet has said concerned over your friend’s weight, they may recommend that you think about changing your dog’s diet to help control their weight. When it comes to their dog diet, the answer can be as simple as switching their regular dog food to specialized weight managing dog food. You can also change out their old treats for new low-calorie favorites. Or, simply reduce the number of treats you give them to help cut down on disproportionate calories throughout the day.
- Set Boundaries
Set boundaries around food can be helpful to your furry friend’s weight loss journey as well. First, try a feeding program. If their food is not always available to your dog, they will be less likely to overeat and snack all day long. Simply put their meals bowl out of their reach once they finish a meal, then offer it again when it’s time for another meal. Calculating portion size and limiting snacks are also useful ways to control your pet’s food intake and help control their weight.
Always follow guidelines and treatment plans that have been recommended by your vet. Help your furry friend live their best life by providing them the highest standard of care. By feeding them weight control dog food, making sure they get plenty of exercises, and limiting their intake, you can fight dog obesity and manage your pup’s weight effectively.
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