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Between 25 and 40 percent of dogs
are overweight, but often, owners don't know it until they take their
dog to the veterinarian for another reason. Yet, even veterinarians
can't tell if your dog is fat just by its weight. Ideal weight varies
by breed, and quite widely within breeds. There's no ideal weight chart
for all dogs!
You can judge your dog's condition by placing your hands on each side of his rib cage. Are the ribs protruding? Your dog may be too thin. Can you feel individual ribs easily, and is your dog's abdomen slightly tucked up when viewed from the side? That's the sign of ideal weight. If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist and his abdomen drags, he's too fat. Your veterinarian can help you further evaluate your dog's weight.
Doggy Dieting
Before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian.
You can begin your dog?s weight loss program by reducing caloric intake by 25% of his maintenance intake, then decrease it by 10% increments every 2 ? 3 weeks until a 1% weight loss per week is achieved. This means that, if your dog weighs 15 pounds, a 1% loss would be about 2-1/2 ounces.
If you feed one large meal a day or keep food available at all times, try dividing the daily ration into several small meals (at least two meals a day) and pick up what has not been eaten 30 minutes after each meal.
What Causes Canine Obesity?
Dogs gain weight for the same reason that people do?they eat more calories than they use. Today's dogs share another problem with their parents: lack of activity. Most parents are gone all day and come home too tired to play with the dog.
Also, as dogs age, or after they are spayed or neutered, their metabolism may slow causing them to require less food.
Another reason for weight gain is frequent, high-calorie treats. Sometimes, more than one family member is feeding the dog, and the dog sure isn't telling!
Supporting Your Dog?s Weight Loss
Losing weight isn't easy. Changing your habits and your pet's is the key. Here are some ways you can help:
Find a food that has normal fiber levels to keep your dog's digestive system working properly. It should have high-quality protein so your dog doesn't lose muscle tone and essential fatty acids to help keep his skin flexible and coat glossy throughout the dieting process. Once your dog reaches ideal weight, select a maintenance food to keep weight steady.
You can judge your dog's condition by placing your hands on each side of his rib cage. Are the ribs protruding? Your dog may be too thin. Can you feel individual ribs easily, and is your dog's abdomen slightly tucked up when viewed from the side? That's the sign of ideal weight. If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist and his abdomen drags, he's too fat. Your veterinarian can help you further evaluate your dog's weight.
Doggy Dieting
Before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian.
You can begin your dog?s weight loss program by reducing caloric intake by 25% of his maintenance intake, then decrease it by 10% increments every 2 ? 3 weeks until a 1% weight loss per week is achieved. This means that, if your dog weighs 15 pounds, a 1% loss would be about 2-1/2 ounces.
If you feed one large meal a day or keep food available at all times, try dividing the daily ration into several small meals (at least two meals a day) and pick up what has not been eaten 30 minutes after each meal.
What Causes Canine Obesity?
Dogs gain weight for the same reason that people do?they eat more calories than they use. Today's dogs share another problem with their parents: lack of activity. Most parents are gone all day and come home too tired to play with the dog.
Also, as dogs age, or after they are spayed or neutered, their metabolism may slow causing them to require less food.
Another reason for weight gain is frequent, high-calorie treats. Sometimes, more than one family member is feeding the dog, and the dog sure isn't telling!
Supporting Your Dog?s Weight Loss
Losing weight isn't easy. Changing your habits and your pet's is the key. Here are some ways you can help:
- Determine who feeds the dog, what and when. (Don't be embarrassed to admit you give your dog treats. Dogs are expert beggars.)
- Substitute affection for treats. Give a pat or throw a ball when he noses your hand.
- Take your dog for a walk more often. Even 10 minutes a day can help.
- Feed him more often. It takes energy to digest food. Dividing your dog's daily ration into 2 or 3 feedings will help.
- Reducing your dog's regular food amount by 25 percent should bring results.
- If your dog is more than 15 percent overweight, your veterinarian may recommend a special food. Diet foods should be low in fat (under 20 percent of calories from fat).
Find a food that has normal fiber levels to keep your dog's digestive system working properly. It should have high-quality protein so your dog doesn't lose muscle tone and essential fatty acids to help keep his skin flexible and coat glossy throughout the dieting process. Once your dog reaches ideal weight, select a maintenance food to keep weight steady.
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